Luminance Converter
Convert between candela, lux, foot-candles, and other light measurement units
About Luminance Converter
Understanding Light Measurement
Light measurement involves several distinct but related quantities. The candela (cd), the SI base unit for luminous intensity, measures the power of light in a particular direction. From this foundation, we derive other important units: the lumen (lm) for total light output, the lux (lx) for illuminance, and various units for luminance (brightness). These measurements are crucial in lighting design, photography, display technology, and architectural planning.
Common Light Levels
| Condition | Illuminance | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Full Sunlight | 100,000 lx | Direct sun |
| Daylight | 10,000-20,000 lx | Overcast day |
| Office Lighting | 300-500 lx | Typical workspace |
| Street Lighting | 10-20 lx | Night safety |
Unit Categories
Luminous Intensity & Flux
- Candela (cd): Light intensity
- Lumen (lm): Total light output
- 1 lm = 1 cd × sr (steradian)
- LED efficiency: 100-200 lm/W
Illuminance & Luminance
- Lux (lx): Light per area
- Foot-candle (fc): US unit
- Nit (cd/m²): Screen brightness
- 1 fc = 10.764 lx
Applications
Professional Uses
- Architectural lighting design
- Photography and cinematography
- Display calibration
- Workplace safety standards
- Scientific research
Display Technology
- HDR displays: 1,000+ nits
- OLED phones: 400-800 nits
- LCD monitors: 200-350 nits
- HDR TVs: up to 2,000 nits
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