We present an approach to an analysis of the chromatic aberrations of gradient refractive index polymeric rod lens. Two kinds of materials system are used in this study: diallyl phthalate-methyl methacrylate and diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate)-poly (1,1,5-trihydroperfluoropentyl methacrylate). The results of a numerical simulation reveal that the chromatic aberration of the focal length, the longitudinal, and lateral chromatic aberrations depend on the ratios between the change in periodic length caused by wavelength and the periodic length. By reducing the ratios, the chromatic aberration of focal length, the longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations at any lens length are decreased effectively. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1529-1532