The red dot on the Indian forehead, called a bindi , is traditionally made from colored powders like kumkum (red turmeric-based powder), sandalwood paste, or vermilion, and today also from ready-made sticker bindis made of felt, plastic, or rexin with adhesive on the back.

What it’s usually made of

  • Kumkum powder : A red powder often made from turmeric that has been processed and then mixed with slaked lime to turn it bright red.
  • Vermilion (sindoor) : A vivid red or orange-red powder historically made from cinnabar; some traditional vermilion can contain mercury or lead, which is why safer modern cosmetic versions are now common.
  • Sandalwood or other sacred pastes : In some regions and rituals, the dot can be made from sandalwood paste, ash, or other temple powders rather than bright red pigment.
  • Sticker bindis : Very common today—small pre-cut dots made from thin plastic, paper, or rexin with a peel‑off adhesive backing; they come in many colors, sizes, and designs.

Why it’s red and where it goes

  • The classic red color is associated with energy, auspiciousness, and (for married women in many traditions) marital status and prosperity.
  • The dot is placed between the eyebrows, where Hindu traditions locate the ajna (third‑eye) chakra , linked to intuition and inner awareness.

So in simple terms: the “red dot” is usually a small spot of red cosmetic powder or paste, or a stick‑on decorative dot, placed on the brow for spiritual, cultural, and sometimes marital significance.

TL;DR: It’s called a bindi, traditionally made from red kumkum or vermilion powder or paste, and nowadays very often from tiny stick‑on decorative dots made of plastic or similar materials.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.