Illuminance - Recommended Light Levels

Light Level or Illuminance is the total luminous flux incident on a surface per unit area. This tool provides recommended light levels for various indoor work spaces and outdoor conditions, along with calculation capabilities.

Illuminance - Recommended Light Levels

Light Level or Illuminance is the total luminous flux incident on a surface per unit area (E = Φ / A, where E is illuminance in lux, Φ is luminous flux in lumens, and A is area in m²).

Measuring Units

  • Lux (lx): 1 lumen per square meter (metric SI system)
  • Foot candle (ftcd): 1 lumen per square foot (Imperial system)
  • Conversion: 1 lux = 0.0929 foot candle; 1 foot candle = 10.752 lux
ActivityIlluminance (lx)
Public areas with dark surroundings20 - 50
Simple orientation for short visits50 - 100
Areas with traffic and corridors (stairways, escalators, lifts, storage)100
Working areas where visual tasks are only occasionally performed100 - 150
Warehouses, homes, theaters, archives, loading bays150
Coffee break room, technical facilities, waiting rooms200
Easy office work250
Class rooms300
Normal office work, PC work, study library, groceries, kitchens, auditoriums500
Supermarkets, mechanical workshops, office landscapes750
Normal drawing work, detailed mechanical workshops, operation theaters1000
Detailed drawing work, very detailed mechanical works, electronic workshops1500 - 2000
Performance of visual tasks of low contrast and very small size2000 - 5000
Performance of very prolonged and exacting visual tasks5000 - 10000
Performance of very special visual tasks of extremely low contrast10000 - 20000
Calculator

Inputs

Results

Total Lumens-- lm
Illuminance (Lux)-- lx
ConditionIlluminance (ftcd)Illuminance (lux)
Sunlight10000107527
Full Daylight100010752
Overcast Day1001075
Very Dark Day10107
Twilight110.8
Deep Twilight0.11.08
Full Moon0.010.108
Quarter Moon0.0010.0108
Starlight0.00010.0011
Overcast Night0.000010.0001
Illuminance - Recommended Light Levels | MEPKit Engineering Tools | MEPKit