Understanding Lumens: How Bright Is Your Light?
17 Jun 2025
Understanding Lumens: How Bright Is Your Light?
When buying lighting, we often think in watts – but the real measure of brightness is lumens (lm). Whether you're lighting a cozy bedroom or a large workspace, understanding lumens helps you choose the right level of brightness for the space.
What Are Lumens?
Lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. More lumens = brighter light. While wattage tells you how much energy a light uses, lumens tell you how much light you actually get.
Lumen Range & What It Means
Use the guide below to help you pick lighting with the ideal brightness for each room or task:
| Lumen Range | Usage / Description |
|---|---|
| 0–499 lm | Soft ambient light |
| 500–999 lm | Medium brightness |
| 1000–1499 lm | Bright for task lighting |
| 1500+ lm | Very bright – large areas |
How Many Lumens Do I Need?
- Bedroom ambient lighting: 300–800 lm
- Bathroom or kitchen: 800–1200 lm
- Task or reading lamp: 1000–1500 lm
- Outdoor floodlight: 1500+ lm
Lumen Tip 💡
LED lights give you more lumens using less power compared to traditional globes. That means you get brighter light and energy savings in one!
