The effect that resolution has on the calculated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of an emission line measured in the visible by a high resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometer is discussed. The resolution varies from a physically resolved profile (0.02 cm−1) to a shape dominated by the instrumental function (2 cm−1). The effects that incorporating inaccurate signal-to-noise ratios has on figures of merit for a FT-UV/VIS system is discussed.