Convert Between Illuminance Units Convert between lux, foot-candles, and phots for lighting measurements.
Illuminance Converter
Convert between lux, foot-candles, and phots for lighting measurements.
Enter illuminance
Type the illuminance value.
Select units
Choose between lux, foot-candles, and phots.
Read the converted value
Converted illuminance appears instantly.
What Is Illuminance Converter?
An Illuminance Converter is a tool that translates between units measuring the amount of light falling on a surface, such as lux, foot-candles, and phot. Lighting designers and engineers use it to ensure compliance with building codes, which specify proper illuminance levels for workplaces, schools, hospitals, and outdoor spaces. One specific problem it solves is converting between SI and US units, for example, from lux to foot-candles, which is crucial when working on projects that involve international collaborations or require adherence to local standards.
The tool's configuration includes three units: lux with a factor of 1, foot-candle with a factor of 10.7639104167, and phot with a factor of 10000. This setup allows users to convert between these units easily, addressing issues like how to convert lux to foot-candles or phot. It also references specific conversion rates, such as from lux to foot-candles and vice versa, making it a reliable lighting unit converter.
What makes this tool different is its ability to handle conversions with precision, using predefined factors for each unit, ensuring accurate results when converting between units like lux to phot or foot-candles to lux. Its reference section includes multiple conversion rates, providing a clear mapping of how different units relate to each other, which helps users understand the relationships between these lighting units and perform tasks efficiently.
Why Use Illuminance Converter?
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Converts between lux and foot-candles for international lighting standards.
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Essential for architects, lighting designers, and photographers.
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Includes the phot for legacy reference compatibility.
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Real-time conversion.
Common Use Cases
Lighting Design
Convert illuminance requirements between lux and foot-candles for international projects.
Photography
Understand light levels for exposure calculations.
Building Codes
Verify workspace lighting meets standards specified in either lux or foot-candles.
Horticulture
Convert light level measurements for indoor growing specifications.
Technical Guide
Illuminance is luminous flux per unit area — how much light hits a surface.
• 1 lux = 1 lumen/m²
• 1 foot-candle = 1 lumen/ft² = 10.764 lux
• 1 phot = 1 lumen/cm² = 10,000 lux
Typical illuminance levels:
• Full moonlight: 0.25-1 lux
• Street lighting: 5-30 lux
• Office lighting: 300-500 lux
• Surgery: 10,000-100,000 lux
• Direct sunlight: 100,000 lux
Do not confuse illuminance (lux, light on a surface) with luminance (cd/m², light from a surface). They measure different aspects of lighting.
Tips & Best Practices
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11 foot-candle ≈ 10.76 lux. For quick estimates, multiply fc by 10.
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2Office lighting should be 300-500 lux (30-50 foot-candles).
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3A single 60W incandescent bulb provides about 800 lumens.
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4Illuminance (lux) measures light arriving at a surface; luminance (nits) measures light leaving a surface.
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⚖️ Unit ConvertersFrequently Asked Questions
Q How many lux in a foot-candle?
Q What is the recommended office lighting level?
Q What is the difference between lux and lumens?
Q What is a phot?
About This Tool
Illuminance Converter is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.