The word “lux” is often used as a shortened version of luxury. But when we’re talking about lighting, lux means something completely different. What does LUX mean and why should you care?
Britannica defines lux as a unit of illumination that measures the intensity of light that’s evenly distributed across an area. Here’s what you need to know about lux and its role in choosing the right lighting for your home or business.
Questions we'll answer about LED lights
● What does lux mean?
● What’s the definition of lux?
● What’s the difference between lux and lumens?
● How many lux do you need?
● Is lux better than lumens?
● How do you convert lux to lumens?
● What do foot candles mean?
● What are acceptable lux levels?
● How is lux level measured?
What Does Lux Mean? Here’s a Real-life Example
To understand lux, look no further than the sun. The sun is our most powerful light source, so it’s no surprise that the light outside is at peak performance. The sun concentrates its electromagnetic energy toward green wavelengths, which are in the middle of the visible light spectrum.
Knowing this, we can predict a light source’s lux value based on how concentrated its energy is toward green light.
What’s the Definition of Lux?
Lux is the scientific unit used to measure illuminance. It’s abbreviated as “Lx”, and one lux is equal to one lumen per square meter.
What’s the Difference Between Lux and Lumens?
Lumen measures light output, but it doesn’t include area in its calculation. By comparison, lux combines area with light output, where one lux is equal to one lumen per square meter.
How Many Lux Do You Need?
The ideal amount of lux depends on the type and size of the space you’re trying to illuminate. Take a look at the comparison table below for a brief overview of lux amounts.
Lux | Used for |
100 lux | Minimal light that’s ideal for:
● Lifts ● Hallways ● Stairways ● Warehouse storage areas |
150 lux | Slightly brighter light that’s commonly used in:
● Restrooms ● Warehouse operations spaces ● Spaces where simple tasks are performed |
200 lux | Average light output and coverage found in common spaces:
● Entryways ● Lobbies ● Restaurants |
300 lux | Stronger light output and coverage where focus isn’t required:
● Gathering places ● Common areas |
500 lux | Suitable for prolonged work and tasks that require concentration:
● Retail stores ● Office spaces ● Schools ● Libraries ● Machinery tasks |
500+ lux | Required for intricate work, such as:
● Sewing ● Construction ● Surgery ● Precision work |
Is Lux Better Than Lumens?
It’s not a matter of lux being better than lumens, or vice versa. Each serves a different purpose. If you are trying to adequately light a space, you need to consider both in your lighting decisions.
How Do You Convert Lux to Lumens?
Since lux takes area into account as well as lumens, you need to know the size of the space you’re measuring. For one square meter, one lumen is equal to one lux. So for 10 square meters, 10 lumens will equal 10 lux.
Use this lux to lumens calculator to find your target.
What Do Foot Candles Mean?
A foot candle is another unit of measurement in lighting. Instead of measuring in square meters, foot candles measure distance in feet. Foot candles are the most common way lighting professionals calculate lighting requirements.
What are Acceptable Lux Levels?
For the average household, 150-200 lux is acceptable. Focused activities, such as reading or working, benefit from 300-400 lux. For environments where you need to see the fine details, aim for 800-1000 lux.
How is Lux Level Measured?
Lighting professionals can use a lux meter to measure the lux levels in a room or space. Use the below lumens measurement chart to help your calculations.
450 Lumens | 800 Lumens | 1100 Lumens | 1600 Lumens | 2600 Lumens | 5800 Lumens | |
LED | 6 watt | Up to 10 watt | 13 watt | Up to 18 watt | 24 watt | 45 watt |
CFL | Up to 9 watt | Up to 14 watt | Up to 19 watt | 23 watt | 40 watt | 85 watt |
Halogen | 29 watt | 43 watt | 53 watt | 72 watt | 150 watt | 300 watt |
Incandescence | 40 watt | 60 watt | 75 watt | 100 watt | 150 watt | 300 watt |
How much light do you need? How many Lux is too bright?
Lux levels depend on what you’re doing in a given space. If you aren’t doing detailed work, 500 lux is about the maximum you’d need. For tasks like sewing, working on a car, painting, or deep cleaning, then you may require higher lux. Very rarely do lux levels exceed 2,000 lux.
What is the Recommended Lux Level for a Warehouse?
For warehouses, a minimum of 150 lux is recommended for floor-level work and a minimum of 200 lux for any work involving warehouse racks. You may be able to use lower lux lighting in areas that are not frequently in use.
The age of individuals using the space may also influence the ideal levels of lux. Older individuals (age 65+) may require higher lux levels in order to see properly.
How Do You Calculate Lux?
If you’re installing new lighting in an area and want to ensure adequate illumination, you can use the following formula:
E = F x UF x MF / A
In the formula, E represents the lux level, F is the average lumens gained from the light source, UF is the utilization factor, and MF is the maintenance factor. UF takes into account the colour and geometry of a space, which affects how the light illuminates the room. MF accounts for light depreciation over time as the light source becomes less powerful as it ages.
Standard values for UF and MF are 0.4 and 0.9, respectively.
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