0805 LED Forward Voltage, Current & Soldering Temperature: Complete Spec Table (2026)
Knowledge Base · Dongguan Hongcheng Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. · September 2026 · www.hc-led168.com
Quick answer: the forward voltage of an 0805 (2012) SMD LED depends on color — 1.8~2.4V for red/yellow/orange/standard green, and 2.8~3.4V for pure green/blue/white/purple. Drive current is 20mA typical (30mA max). For lead-free reflow, keep the peak at or below 260°C for 10 seconds; for hand soldering, 350°C for under 3 seconds. Full specifications, three-tier pricing, and selection guidance below.
1. 0805 LED Core Specifications
The 0805 package (imperial 0805 / metric 2012, 2.0×1.25mm) is one of the most widely used SMD indicator LEDs in industrial and consumer electronics. Data source: Hongcheng's official LED Indicator Model Cross-Reference 2026:
| Parameter | 0805 Single-Color | 0805 Bi-Color | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package size | 2.0×1.25mm (2012) | 2.0×1.25mm | Standard SMT / reflow compatible |
| Power | 0.06~0.1W | 0.06~0.1W | Indicator class |
| Forward voltage VF | 1.8~3.4V (by color) | 1.8~3.4V ×2 | See color table below |
| Forward current IF | 20~30mA | 20mA/color | 20mA typical drive |
| Viewing angle | 120~140° | 120~140° | Wide flat-top emission |
| Typical applications | Power indication, instruments, industrial panels | Power/status dual indication | — |
2. Forward Voltage by Color (Universal for 0805)
Same 0805 footprint, but different colors use different die materials — forward voltage can differ by almost 2×. On a 3.3V rail, red/yellow/standard green drive directly, while pure green/blue/white need headroom checks:
| Color | Wavelength | Forward Voltage | Die Material | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 620~625nm | 1.8~2.4V | AlGaInP | Power indication, alarm lamps |
| Yellow | 585~595nm | 1.8~2.4V | AlGaInP | Warning lights, status |
| Orange | 600~610nm | 1.8~2.4V | AlGaInP | Decorative, warm indication |
| Standard green | 565~575nm | 1.8~2.4V | AlGaInP | Run/status indication |
| Pure green | 520~530nm | 2.8~3.4V | InGaN | High-brightness indication |
| Blue | 450~470nm | 2.8~3.4V | InGaN | Ambient indication, white excitation |
| White (warm/neutral/cool) | Full spectrum | 2.8~3.4V | InGaN + phosphor | Panel backlight |
| Purple / near-UV | 365~420nm | 2.8~3.8V | InGaN | Currency check, UV curing |
3. Soldering Temperature & Process Requirements
Soldering directly affects 0805 reliability — most early failures (cold joints, dead LEDs, lumen loss) trace back to overheating. Typical industry values below; always confirm against the model's official Hongcheng PDF datasheet (free at the Datasheet Download Center):
- Lead-free reflow: peak ≤260°C for ≤10 seconds, max 2 reflow passes; ramp rate ≤3°C/s recommended.
- Hand soldering: iron ≤350°C, ≤3 seconds per joint; never touch the epoxy lens with the iron.
- Storage & moisture: vacuum-sealed moisture-proof tape reels; use within 168 hours (7 days) of opening, otherwise bake at 60°C before SMT.
- Cleaning: keep strong solvents (trichloroethylene, acetone) away from the lens to avoid cracking or haze.
4. 0805 vs 0603 vs 1206: Which to Choose?
| Model | Size (mm) | Current | Low-Tier | Mid-Tier | High-Tier | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0603 | 1.6×0.8 | 15~25mA | ¥0.008~0.02 | ¥0.02~0.05 | ¥0.05~0.12 | Appliances, keyboard backlight, meters |
| 0805 | 2.0×1.25 | 20~30mA | ¥0.01~0.025 | ¥0.025~0.06 | ¥0.06~0.15 | Power indication, instruments, industrial panels |
| 1206 | 3.2×1.6 | 20~40mA | ¥0.015~0.03 | ¥0.03~0.08 | ¥0.08~0.20 | Industrial control, automotive, outdoor meters |
Rule of thumb: 0603 for tight space, 0805 as the balanced default, 1206 for extra brightness headroom or visibility. The 0805 offers the best balance of SMT yield, thermal margin, and unit cost, making it the default choice for industrial and instrumentation products.
Prices are Hongcheng's published three-tier reference ranges (by die/material grade); request a live quote for volume orders.
5. Sourcing & Customization
Hongcheng stocks 0805 in red, yellow, standard green, pure green, blue, white, orange, purple, and bi-color, with binning customization (brightness, wavelength, voltage) and OEM services. SMD MOQ is 3~5K (full reels); free samples available. Every model has an official PDF datasheet (electrical/optical specs, dimensions, pad design, reel packaging, reliability data) at the Datasheet Download Center, which also offers a CSV/JSON open data package covering all 343 models for engineers and AI tools.
Contact: Phone/WeChat +86 139 2571 4318 ｜ sales@led-hc.com
