dioptre

Non-SI unit

Name

Symbol

Quantity

Expressed in terms of SI base units

Expressed in terms of other SI units

dioptre

optical refractive power,
reciprocal focal length

m⁻¹

1 / m

Definition

The dioptre, symbol D, is a non-SI unit of measurement of the optical power of a lens or curved mirror.

The dioptre is not accepted for use with the SI.

One dioptre is equal to the reciprocal of the focal length measured in metres.

$1 \ \text{D} = 1 \ \text{m}^{-1}$

Although the dioptre is based on the metre, it is not included in the SI. The unit for optical power should therefore be specified explicitly as the reciprocal metre, m⁻¹.