# Line laser level > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Line_laser_level > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Line_laser_level.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_laser_level > Source revision: 1299673218 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Verification|date=November 2023}}{{distinguish|Laser level|Line laser|Rotary laser level}} {{Short description|Leveling tool consisting of a line laser and a leveling mechanism}} [[File:Laser line level.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Line laser level using one line laser, [spirit level](/source/spirit_level)s for three planes, and including a digital [stud sensor](/source/stud_sensor) display.]] [[File:Installation of a stainless-steel angle at the bottom of a column in the future LIRR Concourse. 11-12-2019 (49070775291), laser.jpg|thumb|right|Cross line laser level using several line lasers, here drawing a cross (or two lines 90 degrees on each other) on the floor (XY) plane. They are usually used indoors, while [rotary laser level](/source/rotary_laser_level)s are usually used outdoors.]] A '''line laser level''' is a tool combining a [spirit level](/source/spirit_level) and/or [plumb bob](/source/plumb_bob) to balance a stationary [line laser](/source/line_laser) to display a [precise](/source/Accuracy_and_precision) horizontal or vertical illuminated line on a surface the line laser level is laid against. Line laser levels are used wherever precise verticals and horizontals are required, typically in the [construction](/source/construction) and [cabinetry](/source/Cabinet_(furniture)) industries. Some models are inexpensive enough for [do-it-yourself](/source/do-it-yourself) applications. A '''cross laser level''' or '''cross line laser level''' utilizes pairs of [line laser](/source/line_laser)s to project both horizontal and vertical lines simultaneously. They can be manufactured with cross line lasers in one, two or three planes: * XY plane: Draws lines on the floor plane * XZ plane: Draws lines on the forward and backwall * YZ plane: Draws lines on the side walls The light beam can span, for example, 90, 180 or 360 degrees of each of these planes, with small interruptions due to the posts that protect the glass housings around the lasers. A 360 degree laser level is sometimes confused with a [rotary laser level](/source/rotary_laser_level). Cross laser levels have largely replaced line laser levels.{{cite web|access-date=2025-07-09 |date=2019-10-04 |first=Av Bjarke Løgstrup-4 |language=nb |surname=oktober 2019 |title=En linjelaser får tingene i vater |url=https://gjoerdetselv.com/verktoey/maleverktoy/linjelaser-en-linjelaser-far-tingene-i-vater |work=Gjør Det Selv}} While line laser levels can be handy for things like hanging pictures, cross laser levels have a much wider range of uses, including painting and tiling. The most versatile type is the 3x360-degree cross laser levels, which draw horizontal and vertical lines on all walls. == Use == The illuminated line is reasonably straight, so that the line level can be used as a [straightedge](/source/straightedge); for example, to see if a shelf is [warp](/source/Wood_warping)ed, even if not horizontal. == Function == The laser beam is fanned by a lens to produce a thin plane beam precisely horizontal or vertical, rather than a pinpoint beam. The axis of the laser is offset from the wall, so that a pinpoint beam would be parallel to and offset from the wall, and would not illuminate it; the fanned beam will intersect the wall, creating a precisely horizontal (or vertical) illuminated line along it. == Precision == The machine is set up using the built-in mechanical spirit level, plumb bob or electronic levelling, and the line along the surface is then guaranteed to be precisely horizontal or vertical to within a certain tolerance, specified either in millimetres per metre distance. A more advanced device may be accurate to within 0.3 mm/m; while lower-end models may be closer to 1.5 mm/m.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} ==See also== * [Dumpy level](/source/Dumpy_level), optical instrument used in surveying and building to transfer, measure, or set horizontal levels * [Theodolite](/source/Theodolite), surveying instrument that measures azimuth and elevation between points * [List of laser articles](/source/List_of_laser_articles) * [Laser machine control](/source/Laser_machine_control), electronic system for automatic operation of land scrapers or excavators ==References== {{Measuring and alignment tools}} Category:Construction equipment Category:Construction surveying Category:Laser applications Category:Surveying instruments Category:Woodworking measuring instruments --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Line laser level](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_laser_level) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_laser_level?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.