SCHOTT Colored Glass Filter Transmission Calculator

Calculate Single Curves, Multiple Curves, and Filter Combinations

Our SCHOTT filter calculator generates transmission curves of virtually all SCHOTT colored glass filter materials. You can display individual filters, multiple filters, or filter combinations in a single graph by selecting the filters and entering their thickness.

Calculated Filter Curve

By using our Schott filter calculator, you agree to the terms of use listed below.

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If you like this tool, we invite you to place a direct link to this calculator on your website. Please solely use this link to refer to our calculator, and please consider our terms & conditions for using our optical glass filter calculator directly below.

User Manual for the SCHOTT Filter Calculator

With our SCHOTT filter calculator, you can quickly and easily calculate transmission curves for virtually all SCHOTT colored glass filters. You can display individual filters, multiple filters in direct comparison in one curve, or filter combinations.

Add Filter

Clicking “+ Add Filter” adds a filter type to the calculation. Two pieces of information are required for each filter:

Filter type:
Select the desired SCHOTT colored glass filter material (e.g., BG12, OG550, RG9)

Filter thickness:
Enter the thickness in mm for which the curve is to be calculated. After selecting a filter type, the default thickness is always 3 mm and must be adjusted according to the desired filter thickness. By repeatedly clicking “+ Add Filter,” you can include up to 10 filters with individually specified thicknesses in the calculation.

Calculation Modes

Single filter:
One filter of a certain thickness produces a single transmission curve

Comparison of several filters:
You can add multiple filters by clicking “+ Add Filter,” and they will be calculated together. Each filter appears as a separate curve on the same graph—ideal for directly comparing different filter materials or the same filter in different thicknesses (e.g., BG12 at 1 mm and 3 mm thicknesses simultaneously).

Filter combinations
If multiple filters are to be calculated as a stack, the “Cemented filter combination” option must be enabled. The total transmittance is then calculated based on the internal transmittances of all individual filters and is displayed as a curve, but without any reflection losses (see also “Internal Transmission” under “Calculation Parameters” below).

Wavelength Range

By selecting the desired wavelength range, the plot can be adjusted to display the relevant section. The default setting is 200–1100 nm (UV-VIS-NIR). Other options include the visible range of 400–700 nm, the entire available spectrum, and a custom-selectable spectral range.

Calculation Parameters

Spectral transmission (default setting)
Realistic simulation, including reflection losses at the glass surfaces, corresponds to use as a single filter in air.

Internal transmission
Transmission of the glass material without accounting for reflection losses at the outer surfaces. This is also the only option for calculating cemented filter combinations. Although the reflection losses at the cemented inner surfaces are generally significantly lower than those at the outer surfaces in air, they are not completely zero. These remaining losses at the cemented surfaces and the natural reflection losses of the outer surfaces are not included in the curve output and must be taken into account separately.

Best scale factor for transmission axis (Y-axis zoom)
This setting zooms in on the transmission curve at the maximum value actually occurring within the selected wavelength range. This is particularly helpful for filters with low transmission, as it makes the details of the curve easier to see.

Use Results
You may use and publish the calculated curves for your purposes, provided that they remain unchanged upon publication and the source is cited by including a direct link to this calculator. The Terms & Conditions above for the use of our SCHOTT filter calculator apply. All results are provided without warranty. We are happy to assist you with filter designs and quotes.

Terms & Conditions for the use of our SCHOTT filter calculator:

We don't take over any guarantee or liability for any technical data, specifications, or results. In no case do we take over warranty or liability for the correctness of the generated curves, data, or information or any damage that might result from using this calculator program. The use of this optical glass filter calculator takes place entirely and solely at your own risk in any implication. All raw filter data used for this calculation program were supplied to us by the SCHOTT AG with kind permission to be used in our online calculator.

This calculator program is protected by national and international copyright laws and might not be copied or commercially exploited without our written permission. You might use and publish the calculated curves for your purposes, but the curves must remain unmodified. The origin of published curves must be identifiable by a direct link to our online calculator. All measurement data used for the calculation of the filter curves are the property of SCHOTT AG. The utilization of the data in this filter curve calculation program takes place with SCHOTT AG's kind permission. We reserve the right to change any technical and non-technical data without notice.

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Last update: March 20, 2026