Identifying a led
Electronic

A LED does not have a "Positive" or "Negative" lead.

It has a lead identified as the "Cathode" or Kathode" or "k".

This is identified by a flat on the side of the LED and/or by the shortest lead.

This lead goes to the 0v rail of the circuit or near the 0v rail (if the LED is connected to other components).

Many LEDs have a "flat" on one side and this identifies the cathode.

Some surface-mount LEDs have a dot or shape to identify the cathode lead and some have a cut-out on one end.

Here are some of the identification marks: