How to Use the Illuminance Converter
Indoor lighting brightness is measured in either lux or foot-candles (fc), depending on the country and industry. Lux is the international standard, but US lighting design guidelines and some cameras or light meters often use foot-candles, so you sometimes need to switch between the two.
Enter a value and select its unit to instantly convert between lux and foot-candles. Use it to check recommended illuminance levels for offices, stores, or workspaces, or to compare an imported light fixture's foot-candle spec against a local lux standard.
As general guidelines, living rooms are recommended around 100-200 lux, offices 300-500 lux, and precision work areas 750 lux or higher. For reference, outdoor light on a clear day easily exceeds 10,000 lux — far brighter than any indoor lighting. 1 foot-candle equals about 10.764 lux.
| Space | Recommended Illuminance (lux) |
|---|---|
| Living room / Bedroom | 100-200 lux |
| General office | 300-500 lux |
| Precision work (reading, sewing) | 750+ lux |
| Outdoors, clear midday | 10,000+ lux |
Frequently Asked Questions
General office spaces are typically recommended at 300-500 lux. Spaces requiring precise work may recommend 750 lux or higher.
1 foot-candle (fc) equals about 10.764 lux. Conversely, 1 lux is about 0.0929 fc.
Outdoor illuminance at midday on a clear day reaches about 10,000-100,000 lux, far brighter than typical indoor lighting (a few hundred lux).