The Difference Between Lux and Lumens and Everything You Need to Know About It

Have you ever purchased a light bulb and wondered what lux and lumens were? There is a good chance that your “eureka!” moment never occurred and that you are still considering it at this moment. Because technology is improving so quickly, more and more people are switching to commercial and industrial LED lights. So, it is important to understand what to look for while making a choice. Lux, Lumen, or both.

Very few people are aware of the significance of the distinction between lumens and lux. Please read this blog to understand these terminologies. To give you further insight, we have defined them side by side to help you gain a deeper comprehension of the connections that exist between the two.

What is the definition of a Lux?

The amount of light that falls on a surface is measured in lux, and lux can be the result of combining the light from multiple light sources or even natural light with artificial light.

The lux measurement is essential for determining how bright a surface appears to be. If you want to know how bright a surface will appear, such as a tabletop, reading material, or photography subjects, this is the most important metric to take into consideration.

Illuminance, or the total amount of light that falls on a surface, is measured in lux.

The closer an object is to a light source, the greater its lux reading. This is because light disperses as one moves away from a light source.

What is the definition of a Lumen?

The word “lumen” comes from the Latin word “lumen,” which means “light.” A lumen is a unit for measuring how bright a light is. It is used in lighting design to compare how much light comes through different surfaces.

Light bulbs are often rated by how bright they are in terms of lumens. Additionally, it evaluates lighting fixtures and illumination technologies.

A lumen is a real unit of measurement, and it doesn’t change as much as a lux.

The measurement of light output in lumens is more precise. To make an accurate comparison between different kinds of light, you need to know how many lumens they put out.

Since lux is entirely dependent on individual perception, there is no universally accepted standard for lux. This means that it can change depending on things like the wavelength of the light being used.

What is the relationship between Lumens and Lux?

For more complicated calculations, you can use a lux vs lumens calculator.

Say, for instance you have a light bulb rated in lumens. What is the lux rating? (1 lux equals 1 lumen per sq. meter)

To give you an idea, indirect daylight has a light intensity of about 10,000 lx. On a cloudy day, the reading can be as low as 1000 lx and as high as 100,000 lx when there is direct sunlight.

When should you use Lux vs. Lumens?

In order to quantify how much light a given source emits, the unit of measure is lumens. However, the amount of light that actually hits a surface is quantified in lux.

It is safe to say that they are mutually exclusive. However, one may predominate over the other depending on your use case. See our discussion of a home theater projector below to see how these two ideas can work together.

How to calculate Lux versus Lumens?

Comparing lux and lumens is not a difficult task. There are many types of lux meters and lumens meters on the market, but the best way to measure lux and lumens is with a portable light meter.

There are a number of different types of light meters, some of which are made solely for measuring lumens while others can also measure lux. To find the appropriate specifications, you’ll need to know what you’re measuring. Alternatively, a lumens-to-distance chart can be used to determine the lux level.

If you’re having trouble determining how many lumens you need, a good first step is to measure the amount of light already present in the room. So, it will be easy for you to compare and figure out what’s best for you.

If you need high-lumen LED lights for a big lighting project, you can always contact Maes Lighting.

Optimal Lux Levels: 

The best lux for a lighting project varies by audience and venue. Indoor projects need lower light levels, 200-500 lux. Outdoor and technical lighting need more light coverage. Outdoors is where the choice between lux and lumens becomes more important.

The following lux levels are recommended for various residential areas:

• Living rooms: 30 lx
• Bedrooms: 50 lx
• Kitchen: 100 lux
• Dining Room: 150-200 lx
• Bathrooms: 200-300 lx
• Hallways: Under 100 lx
• Garage: 500-1000 lx

Most outdoor lights need fewer lux at night because there is less light around to compete with the source. During the day, you’ll need more lux to get through all the other light sources.Contact Maes Lighting today at 866-860-6399 for all of your high-lumen LED lighting needs and to find out how we can improve the lighting in your home, business, or factory.