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SupportWhat are ‘Lumens’? |
| Lumens, what are those? You may have heard the term before, but not really sure what it means. Don’t worry – we are here to help clear things up! |
The Definition of Lumens |
| In short, the lumen output describes how much light a lamp or LED will produce. So an LED strip which produces 700 lumens per metre will give you more light than a strip which gives 350 lumens per metre. Most of us are still stuck in the times of halogen or incandescent lighting and confuse wattage with how bright the lamp will be, however, wattage is just a measure of energy use. |
How Many Lumens do I Need? |
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| Image by Lux LED Lighting |
| Finding out just how much light you need to illuminate a room can actually be very simple. The type and size of the room you are trying to light will determine the lumens needed for sufficient lighting. There are many different rooms in a home from bathrooms and kitchens to living rooms and bedrooms. You usually would require more light in a kitchen due to food preparation and less in a bedroom as it’s where you go to relax! To roughly figure out how much light you need in a room, firstly you need to work out the square footage. So if it’s a 5 x 5-metre room, it will be 50 square foot. Then all you need to do is multiply the square footage of the room by 1.5 and it’ll give you the wattage needed to light the room. Clever huh? |
| Example: 5 x 5 = 50 x 1.5 = 75W (roughly 1125 lumens). So, you’ll need to use roughly 15W of LED strip to light a room of this size. |
Lumens FAQs |
| Do Higher Lumens Mean Brighter? Higher lumens mean a brighter light. Lumens are a measurement of the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. If you’re comparing two LED strip lights and one has a lumen rating of 800 per metre and the other has 400, the 800 lumen strip will appear twice as bright because it is outputting a higher amount of visible light. This is especially useful when comparing light options for different rooms. For example, in a workspace for tasks that require precision, higher lumen outputs will provide brighter illumination for a clear view. In contrast, a cosy restaurant or entertainment space may benefit from lower lumens for a softer ambience. Is 1000 Lumens Very Bright? 1000 lumens is considered to be reasonably bright for indoor lighting, particularly when coming from a focused light source such as an LED bulb. For general use, a 1000-lumen bulb or LED fixture can easily light up a small room, hallway or provide effective lighting in a lamp for detailed projects. For comparison, a traditional 75W incandescent bulb emits about 1100 lumens. LED strip lights with this level of output are a popular choice for accent walls, under-cabinet lighting or as ambient lighting in a modern, minimalist space. It’s also worth considering how you’re distributing those 1000 lumens. A wide beam angle can make the light feel softer and more diffused, while a narrow beam from a single lumen light bulb focuses it for brightness in a specific area. What Are Lumens to Watts? There is often confusion around lumens and watts but they are different measurements. Watts measure energy consumption, while lumens measure brightness. LED lights are energy-efficient so you get more lumens per watt than you would with traditional halogen bulbs. |
| Incandescent | LED | Lumens |
| 40W | 6-9W | 450 |
| 60W | 8-12W | 800 |
| 75W | 9-13W | 1100 |
| 100W | 16-20W | 1600 |
| 150W | 25-28W | 2600 |
As you can see, with the right LED technology, you can significantly reduce energy usage without compromising on brightness. This is where understanding lumens to watts is so important when upgrading your lighting setup.
What Are Lumens Used For?
Lumens are used to describe how bright a light is. This makes them essential for anyone planning interior lighting, whether you’re upgrading your kitchen, designing a new home office or installing LED strip lighting in a gaming setup.
Here are a few examples of where lumen ratings are commonly applied:
- Task lighting: Under-cabinet kitchen strips, in workspaces and for reading lamps = 500–1000 lumens
- Ambient lighting: Ceiling LEDs and room lights = 300–700 lumens per fixture
- Accent lighting: Cove lights, kickboard lighting, shelf backlights = 100–300 lumens
- Outdoor lighting: Security lights, porch areas = 1000+ lumens
Is 200 Lumens Bright Enough for a Room?
Usually, 200 lumens is not enough to light an entire standard-sized room. There may be exceptions if the room is very small or you’re using your LEDs for decorative or accent lighting. 200 lumens is better suited to creating a subtle glow or for backlighting under furniture, shelves or behind screens.
In a full-size living room or bedroom, to get even and natural lighting you can use a mix of lights that add up to a total of around 1500–3000 lumens. For instance, using multiple lumen light bulbs or LED strips in your space will help you to control the overall illumination level and create the ambience you desire.
How Many Lumens Do I Need for a Living Room?
How many lumens you need for a living room depends on how you use your living room. Is it a space for reading and working, or for relaxing and watching TV?
Use our LED lumens chart, based on room size:
- Small living room (10–15 m²): 1500–2500 lumens
- Medium living room (15–25 m²): 2500–4000 lumens
- Large open-plan living spaces: 4000+ lumens
How Many Lumens Do LED Lights Have?
LED lights are incredibly versatile, and their lumen output varies depending on their purpose:
| LED Type | Lumens per Watt | Typical Lumens |
| LED Bulb (E27/B22) | 80–110 | 400–1600 lm |
| LED Downlight | 70–100 | 500–1200 lm |
| LED Strip Light | 60–100 | 300–1000 lm/m |
| LED Floodlight | 90–120 | 1000–10,000+ lm |
This variation means there will be an LED lumens option for your design, from highlighting artwork to illuminating your garden. Comparing LED lumens vs lumens from traditional bulbs also shows how much more efficient modern lighting has become.
Whether you’re installing new downlights in a hallway, setting the mood with LED strips, or updating your entire living room, understanding lumens is essential. From a subtle under-cabinet glow to a powerful lumen light bulb for your workspace, the right lumen level can transform your space and improve how you live in it.
If you’re still struggling, don’t panic! Our experienced team are always here to help and our expert advice will ensure you are confident when choosing LED strip lights. Get in touch with the team via phone on 01752 917447 or email [email protected].