A flashlight (often called a flashlight outside North America) is a portable hand-held light. The light source is usually incandescent bulb (lamp) or light-emitting diode (LED). A typical flashlight consists of a light source installed in a reflector, a transparent cover (sometimes combined with a lens) protecting the light source and the reflector, a battery and a switch. These are supported and protected by the case.

The invention of dry cells and miniature incandescent lamps made the first battery powered flashlight possible in about 1899. Today, flashlights mainly use incandescent lamps or light-emitting diodes, and run on disposable or rechargeable batteries. Some are powered by the user turning the crank or shaking the lamp, while others have solar panels to charge the batteries.

In addition to the general hand-held flashlight, many forms have been adapted to special purposes. A headset or headset flashlight designed for miners and campers is hands-free. Some flashlights can be used underwater or in flammable environments. A flashlight can be used as a light source where there is no power supply or during a power failure.

On this page, you can download free pictures: flashlight pictures