Lumens, Watts, and LED Conversion Charts
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2023/07/28 - Updated: 2024/12/26
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: A comprehensive chart converting Lumens to Watts for LED, incandescent, and halogen lightbulbs, accompanied by a table demonstrating luminous efficacy conversion.
Why it matters: This page provides a comprehensive and authoritative resource for understanding the relationship between lumens and watts in various types of light bulbs. It offers detailed conversion charts for LED, incandescent, halogen, and CFL bulbs, allowing readers to easily compare brightness levels across different lighting technologies. The page also explains key concepts like luminous efficacy and the impact of light color on perceived brightness, using the Kelvin scale. This information is particularly valuable as consumers transition to more energy-efficient lighting options, helping them make informed decisions when selecting bulbs for their specific needs. The inclusion of modern labeling information and energy-saving comparisons further enhances the utility of this resource for both general consumers and those with specific lighting requirements - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
First Let's Take a Look at Luminous Efficacy
The Watt is a unit of power. The Lumen is a measurement of light output. Luminous efficacy represents the efficiency of a light source in converting energy (watts) into visible light (lumens). In the case of older incandescent bulbs, their efficacy was approximately 15 lumens per watt, whereas modern LED technology typically achieves a much higher range of 75 to 110 lumens per watt. As a rule of thumb, this implies a rough ratio of 7:1 when choosing an LED bulb to replace an incandescent bulb. For example, suppose you wish to replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb with an equivalent LED bulb. Utilizing the 7:1 ratio, you can estimate the wattage by dividing 100 watts by 7, resulting in roughly 14 watts for the LED bulb. However, note that the luminous efficacy may differ among manufacturers, so the most reliable approach is to refer to the Lighting Facts label and aim to match the lumens of the LED bulb to ensure the desired brightness.
Main Item
| Light type | Luminous efficacy (lm/W) |
|---|---|
| Incandescent (tungsten) | 12-18 lm/W |
| Halogen | 16-29 lm/W |
| CFL (fluorescent) | 40-60 lm/W |
| LED | 80-100 lm/W |
| Note: The values presented in the chart and table are approximate and may vary based on specific light bulb models. Luminous efficacy is a measure of how efficiently a light source produces visible light, and higher values indicate more efficient light sources. LED light bulbs generally offer the highest luminous efficacy compared to incandescent and halogen bulbs. | |
Lighting Facts Light Bulb Labeling
Light bulb labels have shifted their focus to highlight brightness, measured in lumens. A lumen is a measure of visible light energy, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light. This change allows consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions as they transition towards energy-efficient types of bulbs.
The modern labeling found on light bulb packaging aims to assist consumers in making informed choices among the various types of bulbs available in the market, including traditional incandescent bulbs, high-efficiency compact fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. These labels empower consumers to save money by selecting the most efficient bulbs that best suit their lighting needs. In the past, consumers were accustomed to using watt measurements displayed prominently on the front of light bulb packages for many years. Watts are a measure of energy consumption and merely indicate the amount of energy a bulb consumes, not its brightness. This reliance on watt measurements alone made it challenging for consumers to compare traditional incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives, such as compact fluorescents. Referred to as "Lighting Facts," these labels draw inspiration from the "Nutrition Facts" labels commonly found on food packages. The Lighting Facts label provides essential information such as:
- Energy cost
- Brightness level in lumens
- Light bulb's life expectancy
- Presence of mercury in the bulb
- Light appearance, indicating whether the light is warm or cool
- Wattage, which indicates the amount of energy the bulb consumes
Furthermore, each bulb will include its brightness, measured in lumens, and a disclosure regarding the presence of mercury. As lighting becomes more and more energy-efficient, the same number of lumens is being achieved with lower and lower wattages. These additional details are aimed at aiding consumers in making environmentally conscious choices and selecting bulbs that align with their specific lighting requirements. See the chart below for further clarification and how to convert popular light bulb types from Watts (W) to Lumens (lm).
Light Bulb Watts to Lumens Conversion Table
On average, an incandescent bulb produces around 14 lumens per watt, compared to 63 lumens for energy saving compact fluorescents (CFL) and 74 for LED bulbs.
Jump To:
- LED Lumens to Watts conversion
- Incandescent Lumens to Watts conversion
- Halogen Lumens to Watts conversion
- Fluorescent (CFL) Lumens to Watts conversion
| Note: The values presented in the table are approximate and can vary slightly depending on the specific model and manufacturer of the light bulbs. The table serves as a useful guide for selecting the appropriate wattage equivalent light bulb based on desired brightness (measured in lumens) for each type. | ||
| Light Bulb Type | Lumens (lm) | Wattage Equivalent (W) |
|---|---|---|
| LED | 450 lm | 5W |
| LED | 700 lm | 10W |
| LED | 1000 lm | 15W |
| LED | 1300 lm | 20W |
| LED | 1600 lm | 25W |
| LED | 1900 lm | 30W |
| LED | 2200 lm | 35W |
| LED | 2600 lm | 40W |
| LED | 3000 lm | 45W |
| LED | 3500 lm | 50W |
| LED | 4000 lm | 55W |
| LED | 4500 lm | 60W |
| LED | 5200 lm | 65W |
| LED | 6000 lm | 70W |
| LED | 7000 lm | 75W |
| LED | 8000 lm | 80W |
| LED | 9000 lm | 85W |
| LED | 10,000lm | 90W |
| LED | 11,000lm | 100W |
| LED | 13000 lm | 105W |
| LED | 14000 lm | 110W |
| LED | 15000 lm | 115W |
| LED | 16000 lm | 120W |
| LED | 17000 lm | 125W |
| LED | 18000 lm | 130W |
| LED | 19000 lm | 135W |
| LED | 20000 lm | 140W |
| LED | 22000 lm | 150W |
| LED | 24000 lm | 160W |
| LED | 26000 lm | 170W |
| LED | 28000 lm | 180W |
| LED | 30000 lm | 190W |
| LED | 32000 lm | 200W |
| Note: The values provided in the table are still approximate and can vary depending on the specific model and manufacturer of the LED light bulbs. LED technology continues to improve, offering even higher lumen outputs with lower wattages, which means more energy-efficient lighting options for various applications. Always refer to the manufacturer's specifications for accurate information when selecting LED bulbs for specific lighting needs. | ||
| Light Bulb Type | Lumens (lm) | Wattage Equivalent (W) |
| Incandescent | 250 lm | 5W |
| Incandescent | 450 lm | 10W |
| Incandescent | 750 lm | 15W |
| Incandescent | 1100 lm | 20W |
| Incandescent | 1600 lm | 25W |
| Incandescent | 2200 lm | 30W |
| Incandescent | 3000 lm | 35W |
| Incandescent | 4000 lm | 40W |
| Incandescent | 5200 lm | 45W |
| Incandescent | 6500 lm | 50W |
| Incandescent | 8000 lm | 55W |
| Incandescent | 9600 lm | 60W |
| Incandescent | 11600 lm | 65W |
| Incandescent | 13800 lm | 70W |
| Incandescent | 16200 lm | 75W |
| Incandescent | 19000 lm | 80W |
| Incandescent | 2200 lm | 100W |
| Incandescent | 3000 lm | 150W |
| Incandescent | 4000 lm | 200W |
| Note: Incandescent bulbs are not typically available in wattages higher than 200W due to their high energy consumption and low efficiency. LED bulbs, on the other hand, offer much higher lumen outputs with significantly lower wattages, making them a more energy-efficient choice for brighter lighting needs. | ||
| Light Bulb Type | Lumens (lm) | Wattage Equivalent (W) |
| Halogen | 300 lm | 35W |
| Halogen | 500 lm | 40W |
| Halogen | 700 lm | 45W |
| Halogen | 900 lm | 50W |
| Halogen | 1100 lm | 55W |
| Halogen | 1300 lm | 60W |
| Halogen | 1600 lm | 65W |
| Halogen | 1900 lm | 70W |
| Halogen | 2200 lm | 75W |
| Halogen | 2600 lm | 80W |
| Halogen | 3000 lm | 85W |
| Halogen | 3500 lm | 90W |
| Halogen | 4000 lm | 95W |
| Halogen | 4500 lm | 100W |
| Halogen | 5200 lm | 105W |
| Halogen | 6000 lm | 110W |
| Halogen | 7000 lm | 115W |
| Halogen | 8000 lm | 120W |
| Halogen | 300 lm | 50W |
| Halogen | 500 lm | 75W |
| Halogen | 700 lm | 100W |
| Halogen | 900 lm | 120W |
| Halogen | 1100 lm | 150W |
| Halogen | 1300 lm | 175W |
| Halogen | 1600 lm | 200W |
| Note: The wattage of a light bulb does not linearly scale with lumens output for halogen bulbs either. Like incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs have lower luminous efficacy compared to LED bulbs, and their efficiency decreases as we go to higher lumen outputs. Halogen bulbs are not commonly available in wattages higher than 200W due to their energy inefficiency. LED bulbs remain a more energy-efficient option for high lumen outputs, and they can achieve the same brightness with much lower wattages compared to both incandescent and halogen bulbs. | ||
| Light Bulb Type | Lumens (lm) | Wattage Equivalent (W) |
| CFL | 450 lm | 9W |
| CFL | 700 lm | 14W |
| CFL | 1000 lm | 19W |
| CFL | 1300 lm | 24W |
| CFL | 1600 lm | 29W |
| CFL | 1900 lm | 34W |
| CFL | 2200 lm | 39W |
| CFL | 2600 lm | 44W |
| CFL | 3000 lm | 49W |
| CFL | 3500 lm | 54W |
| CFL | 4000 lm | 59W |
| CFL | 4500 lm | 64W |
| CFL | 5200 lm | 69W |
| CFL | 6000 lm | 74W |
| CFL | 7000 lm | 79W |
| CFL | 8000 lm | 84W |
| CFL | 450 lm | 9W |
| CFL | 700 lm | 15W |
| CFL | 1000 lm | 20W |
| CFL | 1300 lm | 25W |
| CFL | 1600 lm | 30W |
| CFL | 1900 lm | 35W |
| CFL | 2200 lm | 40W |
| CFL | 2600 lm | 50W |
| CFL | 3000 lm | 55W |
| CFL | 3500 lm | 65W |
| CFL | 4000 lm | 75W |
| CFL | 4500 lm | 80W |
| CFL | 5200 lm | 90W |
| CFL | 6000 lm | 100W |
| CFL | 7000 lm | 115W |
| CFL | 8000 lm | 130W |
| CFL | 9000 lm | 145W |
| CFL | 10000 lm | 160W |
| CFL | 11000 lm | 175W |
| CFL | 12000 lm | 190W |
| CFL | 13000 lm | 200W |
| Note: CFL bulbs are not commonly available in wattages higher than 200W, and as with halogen and incandescent bulbs, their efficiency decreases as lumen output increases. For higher lumen outputs, LED bulbs remain a more energy-efficient and practical choice. | ||
The Impact of Light Color on Perceived Brightness: Exploring the Kelvin Scale and LED Bulb Variations
The perception of brightness isn't solely determined by lumens; the color of light also plays a significant role. Even when lumens are the same, bulbs with cooler, bluer hues resembling daylight may appear brighter than those with warmer, yellower tones. To measure light color, we use the Kelvin (K) temperature scale.
Incandescent bulbs typically fall within the 2700-3000K range, emanating a soothing, warm glow that creates a relaxed ambiance. For a whiter light akin to daylight, perfect for kitchens and workspaces, bulbs labeled between 3500-4100K are recommended. On the other end, reading lights are often marked 5000-6500K, resulting in a bluer hue that gives the impression of increased brightness. Understanding these variations in light color can help you create the desired atmosphere and functionality in your living spaces.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note:In a world lighting first Philips has recently broken the 200 lumens per watt barrier. By creating the world's most efficient warm white LED lamp that uses half the energy of the current most efficient lamps on the market, Philips has set a new benchmark in LED innovation.
- Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.