Fiber Cable Types — OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4 Comparison Multimode Fiber Overview • Core Size • Bandwidth • Speed • Distance Understanding the differences between OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4 fiber optic cable is essential when selecting the right multimode fiber for your network. The main distinctions involve core size, bandwidth, supported data rates, and transmission distance. In general, older multimode systems often use OM1 or OM2, while modern high-speed installations typically rely on OM3 or OM4. Fiber Cable Comparison Fiber Type Core Size Bandwidth Typical Data Rate Typical Distance Common Application OM1 62.5µm Typically up to 200 MHz·km Up to 1 Gbps Typically up to 275 meters at 1 Gbps Older legacy installations OM2 50µm Typically up to 500 MHz·km Up to 1 Gbps Typically up to 550 meters at 1 Gbps Mid-range multimode installations OM3 50µm, laser-optimized Typically 2,000 MHz·km Up to 10 Gbps Typically up to 300 meters at 10 Gbps High-speed data center backbone applications OM4 50µm, advanced laser-optimized Typically 4,700 MHz·km 10 Gbps to 100 Gbps and higher Typically up to 550 meters at 10 Gbps; up to 150 meters at 40/100 Gbps High-performance data center networks Quick Takeaways OM1 is typically found in older legacy multimode networks. OM2 offers improved performance over OM1 for moderate-distance multimode applications. OM3 is designed for modern high-speed, laser-optimized fiber networks. OM4 supports higher bandwidth and longer distances for demanding data center environments. Rack Shelves Cable Management Selection tip If you are supporting an older installed base, OM1 or OM2 may match the existing infrastructure. For new high-speed installations, OM3 and OM4 are usually the better choice for bandwidth, speed, and future expansion.
