3mm Round Top UV / Purple LED - Ultra Bright

The 3mm round top uv / purple led is one of the most popular sizes out there for a large percentage of projects and products.

In stock

SKU
3MMROUNDTOPLEDUVPURPLE
Color
UV / Purple
Size
3mm Round Top Clear
$0.40
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Description / 3mm Round Top UV / Purple LED - Ultra Bright

The 3mm UV Purple LED (Round Top, Clear) is the standard through-hole LED for true UV/blacklight effects (395-405nm), fluorescent material activation, escape room UV clues, mineral inspection. Clear lens with a focused 20-30 Degrees beam — bright and directional, the classic DIP LED that fits every breadboard, panel bezel, and holder on the market.

The 3mm (T-1) head is the compact choice — fits smaller enclosures, 1590A/1590B pedal boxes, and scales realistically for HO and N gauge model railroad signals and indicator positions.

Important UV note: True UV LEDs (like this one) emit ultraviolet light at 395–405nm, which often appears as a deep blue or violet hue to the human eye rather than a vivid purple. This is normal and expected — real UV light is at the edge of visible perception. The perceived color can change depending on what the light is shining on (fluorescent materials will glow brightly) and the ambient lighting in the room. In a dark room, the LED itself will look blue-violet; in a lit room, it may appear dimmer than other LED colors because most of the output is in the invisible UV spectrum. True UV LEDs also have lower visible light intensity than other colors — this is inherent to the wavelength, not a defect. If you want a vivid, visibly bright purple without UV properties, see our diffused purple LEDs instead.

Size3mm (T-1)
Forward Voltage3.0-3.4v
Brightness2,000-3,000mcd
Viewing Angle20-30 Degrees
LensClear — focused beam
PackageT-1 through-hole DIP
Drive Current20mA typical

Common applications

  • True UV blacklight effects: Activates fluorescent paints, inks, and fabrics for haunted houses, escape rooms, and stage productions. This is a genuine UV LED outputting at 395–405nm.
  • Escape room puzzles: Hidden UV-reactive messages, invisible ink clues, glowing artifact props.
  • Cosplay glow effects: UV-reactive costume elements that glow under blacklight at conventions.
  • Mineral and currency inspection: UV LEDs reveal fluorescent minerals and security features on banknotes.
  • Resin curing: Some UV-cure resins respond to 395–405nm LEDs for hobby-scale curing.

Standard T-1 through-hole footprint. Fits all 3mm LED holders, bezels, and panel-mount clips. Add a current-limiting resistor matched to your supply voltage — see our LED Resistor Calculator for the exact value.

Need a wider beam? See our 3mm Diffused Round Top LEDs (soft glow, no hotspot) or Diffused LEDs for soft glow applications.

Resistor quick reference (20mA):
SupplyResistorRating
5V100Ω1/4W
9V300Ω1/4W
12V470Ω1/4W
15V*620Ω1/2W
18V750Ω1/2W

*Use 15V instead of 12V for vehicle/alternator sources to account for charging voltage (13.8–14.4V).

Full LED Resistor Calculator → for other voltages, series strings, and parallel configurations. Or skip the math with our 20mA Current Limiter (2–45V DC).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Standard LEDs require a current-limiting resistor matched to your power supply voltage. Use our LED Resistor Calculator at /blog/led-resistor-calculator.html to find the exact value.
Clear lens LEDs produce a focused, directional beam (15-30 degrees) — bright when viewed head-on. Diffused lens LEDs scatter light evenly for a soft glow visible from all angles. Use clear for signals and indicators; use diffused for ambient lighting and props where the LED is visible.
Yes. Connect through a current-limiting resistor (typically 220-330 ohm for 5V) to any digital output pin. The LED Resistor Calculator can help you find the exact value for your setup.

DC power recommended: LEDs are designed for DC. Running on AC will cause flickering and reduce lifespan. If you're using a low-voltage AC source — such as a model railroad transformer output or DCC track voltage — convert it to DC first with a bridge rectifier.

Also available: 1.8mm (smaller) · 5mm (larger)

Sold individually (1 LED per quantity ordered).

PCB Design: KiCad footprint: LED_THT:LED_D3.0mm (built-in with KiCad). EasyEDA: search “LED_D3.0mm” in the built-in library. Download KiCad files ↓

Specifications are sourced from manufacturer data and may be updated without notice. While we work to keep product information accurate, always verify critical parameters against the manufacturer's datasheet for production designs. Found an error or discrepancy? Let us know — we genuinely appreciate the correction.

More Information

Size 3mm Round Top Clear
Color UV / Purple
Luminosity/Brightness 2,000-3,000 mcd
Forward Voltage 3.0-3.4v
Current 20mA
Wavelength 395-405nm
Viewing Angle 20-30 Degrees
Mount Style Through Hole (DIP)
Lens Color Clear
LED Brightness Class Super/Ultra/Extreme
Documentation Link Documentation: 3mm Round Top Clear LED UV / Purple Datasheet / Specifications

Customer Images

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3mm Round Top UV / Purple LED - Ultra Bright — customer photo 1
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