How to convert luminous flux in lumens (lm) to illuminance in lux (lx).
You can calculate lux from lumens and surface area.
Lux and lumen units represent different quantities, so you can't convert lumens to lux.
- Lumens to lux calculation with area in square feet
- Lumens to lux calculation with area in square meters
Lumens to lux calculation formula
Lumens to lux calculation with area in square feet
The illuminance Ev in lux (lx) is equal to 10.76391 times the luminous flux ΦV in lumens (lm) divided by the surface area A in square feet (ft2):
Ev(lx) = 10.76391 × ΦV(lm) / A(ft2)
For a spherical light source, the area A is equal to 4 times pi times the squared sphere radius:
A = 4⋅π⋅r 2
So the illuminance Ev in lux (lx) is equal to 10.76391 times the luminous flux ΦV in lumens (lm) divided by 4 times pi times the squared sphere radius r in feet (ft):
Ev(lx) = 10.76391 × ΦV(lm) / (4⋅π⋅r(ft)2)
So
lux = 10.76391 × lumens / (square feet)
or
lx = 10.76391 × lm / ft2
Lumens to lux calculation with area in square meters
The illuminance Ev in lux (lx) is equal to the luminous flux ΦV in lumens (lm) divided by the surface area A in square meters (m2):
Ev(lx) = ΦV(lm) / A(m2)
For a spherical light source, the area A is equal to 4 times pi times the squared sphere radius:
A = 4⋅π⋅r 2
So the illuminance Ev in lux (lx) is equal to the luminous flux ΦV in lumens (lm) divided by 4 times pi times the squared sphere radius r in meters (m):
Ev(lx) = ΦV(lm) / (4⋅π⋅r(m) 2)
So
lux = lumens / (square meters)
or
lx = lm / m2
Example
What is the luminous flux on a surface of 4 square meters and illuminance of 500 lux?
ΦV(lm) = 500 lux × 4 m2 = 2000 lm
Would you like to share your thoughts?