How strong does a laser pointer need to be to cut paper?

Answer 1

Burning paper requires 1 watt (1000 mW), which is more than what most laser pointers can achieve without modifications

For comparison: Popping balloons or lighting matches requires roughly 100 mW (which is the high end mW range of most commonly found laser pointers)

Note: laser pointers anywhere near 100 mW and up are very dangerous to the eyes and can cause permanent degrading of vision (some doctors say any laser above 5 mW can cause eye damage), so use with caution and never point at anyone's face

Answer 2

We had a green laser, laser pointer at work that would cut/melt through electricians tape, but we never tried it on paper. Don't recall the wattage though.

Answer 3

That is relative to what you are trying to burn.

About 50mw-100.

why do you say to 100? if 50 can burn than anything over it obviously can