航行灯用作指示飞机或船舶的方位。大部分飞机的右主翼翼端与船舶的右舷是绿色，左主翼翼端与船舶的左舷是红色，机尾或水平尾翼翼端以及船前后桅灯则是白色。

一架飞机有多个航行灯，各有其不同用途，机师在飞行时需按规定进程开启或开闭。

A navigation light, also known as a running light, is a colored source of illumination on a waterborne vessel, aircraft and some spacecraft, used to signal a craft's position, heading, and status. Commonly, their placement is mandated by international conventions or civil authorities. Contrary to the name, these lights are not used for navigating. They indicate the craft's relative position, and are thus, often called "Position lights".