3mm LEDs for indicators and small panels
3mm LEDs are the small through-hole LED for indicator lights, front panels, toys and compact displays, where a 5mm LED is too big. We supply them in bulk to manufacturers and assemblers.
A 3mm LED runs at about 1.9–2.3 V (red, yellow) or 3.0–3.4 V (white, blue, green) at 15–20 mA, with a 30° viewing angle as standard. Drive it through a resistor, as with any LED.
Typical specifications
| Forward voltage | 1.9–2.3 V (red, yellow) · 3.0–3.4 V (white, blue, green) |
|---|---|
| Current | 15–20 mA |
| Viewing angle | 30° |
| Colours | red 620–630 nm, yellow 588–592 nm, green 515–525 nm, blue 460–470 nm |
| White | 3,000–11,000 K |
| Packing | usually bags of 1,000 pieces |
Typical values from our catalog; each quote confirms the exact values of the model.
Where 3mm LEDs fit
Use a 3mm LED where space is short: status lights on equipment, panel indicators, small dot-matrix boards and toys. The electrical values match the 5mm LED, so the same resistor works for the same colour and current.
Powering a 3mm LED
From a 5 V supply, one red LED (2.0 V) at 20 mA needs (5 − 2.0) / 0.02 = 150 Ω. From 12 V, three white LEDs (3.2 V each) in series at 20 mA need (12 − 9.6) / 0.02 = 120 Ω. Try your own values in the LED resistor calculator. Need more light per part? See 5mm LEDs.
Questions buyers ask
What is the difference between 3mm and 5mm LEDs?
The lens size: 3 mm or 5 mm across. Voltage and current are the same for the same colour; the 5mm part is usually brighter and offers more angles.
What resistor does a 3mm LED need?
Supply voltage minus the LED voltage, divided by the current. For 5 V and a red LED at 20 mA: 150 Ω.
What is the price and minimum order?
We quote both per model, colour and quantity. Send your list.
Other product families
Written with AI help from the specifications in our earlier catalog. Checked 11 October 2026.