What is the range of wavelengths for ultraviolet radiation?

The range of wavelengths for ultraviolet (UV) radiation lies between:

10 nanometers (nm) to 400 nanometers (nm)

This range falls between X-rays (shorter wavelengths) and visible light (longer wavelengths) on the electromagnetic spectrum.

UV radiation is further divided into three main types based on wavelength:

1. UV-A (Long-wave UV):
   • Range: 315 to 400 nm
   • Least energetic, penetrates deepest into the skin, causes aging and tanning.
2. UV-B (Medium-wave UV):
   • Range: 280 to 315 nm
   • More energetic, causes sunburn and skin damage.
3. UV-C (Short-wave UV):
   • Range: 100 to 280 nm
   • Most energetic and harmful, but mostly absorbed by the Earth’s ozone layer.

Some scientific definitions also include Extreme UV (EUV):

• Range: 10 to 121 nm
• Strongly absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere; mainly used in space and laboratory research.