Illuminance Converter

12 units

Convert between different units of illuminance including lux, foot-candles, and specialized lighting measurements with precision.

Precision Control
Adjust decimal precision for your conversion needs

Quick

0 decimals

Rounded to whole numbers

Rough estimates and quick calculations

123
Example

Standard

2 decimals

Two decimal places

Most everyday conversions

123.46
Example

Precise

4 decimals

Four decimal places

Scientific and engineering work

123.4568
Example

Current Precision

Standard mode active

2 decimals

Popular Illuminance Unit Conversions

Lux to Foot-candles

Common conversion

1000 lx = 92.9 fc

Foot-candles to Lux

Common conversion

100 fc = 1076 lx

Kilolux to Lux

Common conversion

1 klx = 1000 lx

Phot to Lux

Common conversion

1 ph = 10,000 lx

Lux to Phot

Common conversion

10,000 lx = 1 ph

Foot-candles to Phot

Common conversion

1076 fc = 1 ph

Complete Illuminance Conversion Guide

Understanding Illuminance vs Luminance

Illuminance (Light Falling ON Surfaces)

Measures the amount of light falling on a surface, expressed in lux or foot-candles. This is what we perceive as brightness of illumination.

Luminance (Light Emitted FROM Surfaces)

Measures the amount of light emitted or reflected from a surface, expressed in cd/m² or nits. This affects visual comfort and glare.

Photometric Principles

Measurement Systems

SI metric system uses lux (lumens per square meter), while Imperial system uses foot-candles (lumens per square foot).

Visual Comfort Relationship

Proper illuminance levels ensure visual comfort, reduce eye strain, and optimize task performance across different activities.

Essential Conversion Factors

Core Conversion Formulas

1 lux = 0.0929 foot-candles

1 foot-candle = 10.764 lux

1 phot = 10,000 lux

Standard Illuminance Levels

Excellent office lighting500+ lux
Good office lighting300-500 lux
Adequate office lighting200-300 lux
Minimum workspace100-200 lux

Professional Applications

Architectural Lighting Design
Building codes, workspace illumination standards, and energy-efficient lighting design for commercial and residential spaces.
Photography & Cinematography
Professional lighting setups, exposure calculations, and creative lighting control for photography and film production.
Industrial Safety Standards
Workplace illumination requirements, safety lighting specifications, and OSHA compliance for industrial environments.
Retail & Commercial Optimization
Store lighting design, product display illumination, and customer experience enhancement through strategic lighting.
Horticultural Lighting Systems
Plant growth optimization, greenhouse lighting design, and agricultural lighting systems for maximum crop yield.
Vision & Ergonomics
Human factors engineering, visual comfort optimization, and ergonomic lighting design for health and productivity.

Common Illuminance Examples

Natural Light
Direct sunlight100,000+ lux
Daylight (overcast)10,000-25,000 lux
Sunrise/sunset400-1,000 lux
Full moonlight0.1-0.3 lux
Indoor Environments
Office lighting300-500 lux
Classroom lighting300-750 lux
Home living room50-200 lux
Hallway lighting100-150 lux
Specialized Applications
Surgery lighting10,000-100,000 lux
Photography studio1,000-10,000 lux
Street lighting5-20 lux
Emergency lighting1-5 lux