A laser pointer is a small laser designed to highlight something of interest by projecting a small bright spot of coloured light onto it. Most laser pointers have low enough power that the projected beam presents a minimal hazard to eyes for incidental exposure. The laser beam is not in itself visible from the side, but is visible as a result of light scattered by dust particles along the beam path. The small width of the beam and low power of typical laser pointers makes the beam itself invisible in a reasonably clean atmosphere, showing a point of light when striking an opaque surface. Some higher powered laser pointers are faintly visible via Rayleigh scattering when viewed from the side in moderately to dimly lit conditions.

1. Red/red-orange laser pointer.
2. Green laser pointer.
3. Blue laser.

The output power of a laser pointer is usually measured in milliwatts (mW). In the US, lasers are classified by the American National Standards Institute and by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Visible laser pointers (400-700 nm) operating at less than 1 mW power are Class 2 or II and visible laser pointers operating with 1-5 mW power are Class 3R or IIIa. Class 3B/IIIb lasers (operating between 5-500mW) and Class 4/IV lasers (operating above 500mW) can not be legally promoted as laser pointers.