The price of optical fiber cable varies from approximately $0.09 to $6 per foot depending on type, core count, and construction.

Typical Price Ranges

• Single-mode fiber (OS2): $0.09 to $1.52 per foot for bulk purchases, with lower prices for generic glass and higher prices for premium brands like Corning .
• Multimode fiber (OM3/OM4): $0.30 to $6 per foot, depending on core count and quality .
• Armored cables: $1.15 to $6.50 per meter (≈ $0.35 to $1.98 per foot), providing protection against physical damage .
• Indoor simplex/duplex cables: $0.05 to $0.30 per meter, suitable for standard indoor installations .
• Outdoor or aerial/self-supporting cables: $0.40 to $1.50 per meter, designed for harsh environments .

Factors Affecting Price

1. Fiber Count: Higher strand counts increase cost; a 2-core cable is cheaper than a 24-core or 96-core cable .
2. Cable Construction: Armored, loose tube, or tight-buffered designs add 20–50% to the base cost .
3. Jacket Material: Indoor PVC or LSZH jackets are cheaper, while outdoor PE or UV-resistant jackets cost more .
4. Bulk vs Retail: Buying in bulk directly from manufacturers can reduce per-foot costs by 20–40% compared to retail .
5. Pre-Terminated Assemblies: Factory-terminated cables cost more upfront but reduce installation labor costs .

Example Pricing for 50 µm / 125 µm Fiber

Retail suppliers like Mouser list 50 µm, 125 µm multimode fiber cables, with prices varying based on length, core count, and jacket type . Bulk orders from manufacturers typically offer lower per-unit costs than retail listings. In summary, for optical cables of the same diameter, expect a base price of $0.09–$1.52 per foot for single-mode and $0.30–$6 per foot for multimode, with armored or specialized cables costing more. Bulk purchasing and direct manufacturer sourcing can significantly reduce costs.