Illuminance Converter (Lux, Foot-candle)
Illuminance Converter (Lux, Foot-candle): convert between 5 illuminance units, for example 1 fc = 10.76391042 lx.
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| foot-candle to lux | 10.76391042 lx |
| foot-candle to kilolux | 0.01076391042 klx |
| foot-candle (fc) | 1 fc |
| foot-candle to phot | 0.001076391042 ph |
| foot-candle to millilux | 10763.91042 mlx |
Convert illuminance between lux (lx, klx, mlx), foot-candles and phots. 1 fc = 1 lm/ft² = 10.7639 lx exactly, since 1 ft² = 0.09290304 m².
Recommended light levels
EN 12464-1 and the IES give about 300–500 lx (30–50 fc) for offices, 500–750 lx for detailed work and 100–200 lx for corridors. Direct sunlight reaches 100,000 lx and a full moon about 0.1–0.3 lx.
Lux is not lumens
Lumens measure the light a source emits; lux measures how much lands on each square metre. 1000 lm spread evenly over 2 m² gives 500 lx.
Illuminance unit definitions
- lux (lx)
- The lux (lx) is the SI unit of illuminance: one lumen falling on each square metre. Offices are lit to about 300–500 lx; direct sunlight gives up to 100,000 lx.
- foot-candle (fc)
- The foot-candle (fc) is the US unit of illuminance: one lumen per square foot, about 10.764 lux. US lighting guides (IES) specify foot-candles.
- kilolux (klx)
- A kilolux is 1000 lux, convenient for daylight: overcast days give 1–10 klx and full sun about 100 klx.
- phot (ph)
- The phot is the CGS unit of illuminance, one lumen per square centimetre, or 10,000 lux.
- millilux (mlx)
- A millilux is one thousandth of a lux: starlight gives about 1 mlx and a quarter moon about 10 mlx.
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Sources
- The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures.
- Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 Edition, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Last reviewed: .