Elara Bennett1200 lumens (lm) converted to lux depends on the area over which the lumens are distributed. Assuming the light spreads evenly over 1 square meter, 1200 lm equals 1200 lux (lx).
Lux measures illuminance, which is lumens per square meter. So, if 1200 lumens light hits exactly 1 square meter, the illuminance is 1200 lux. Changing the area changes the lux value accordingly.
Conversion Tool
Result in lux:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert lumens (lm) to lux (lx) is:
lux = lumens / area (in square meters)
This works because lux quantifies how much light falls on a surface each square meter. Lumens measures total light output, but lux tells you how intense that light is over a specific area.
For example, if you have 1200 lm spread over 1 m²:
- lux = 1200 lm ÷ 1 m²
- lux = 1200 lx
If instead the 1200 lm light covers 2 m², lux will be:
- lux = 1200 lm ÷ 2 m² = 600 lx
Conversion Example
- Convert 1500 lm to lux over 1 m²:
- lux = 1500 ÷ 1 = 1500 lx
- The light intensity is 1500 lux.
- Convert 800 lm to lux over 0.5 m²:
- lux = 800 ÷ 0.5 = 1600 lx
- Smaller area means higher lux.
- Convert 2000 lm over 4 m²:
- lux = 2000 ÷ 4 = 500 lx
- Larger area lowers the lux value.
- Convert 1000 lm over 2 m²:
- lux = 1000 ÷ 2 = 500 lx
- Half the lumens per square meter.
Conversion Chart
| Lumens (lm) | Area (m²) | Lux (lx) |
|---|---|---|
| 1175.0 | 1 | 1175.0 |
| 1177.5 | 1 | 1177.5 |
| 1180.0 | 1 | 1180.0 |
| 1182.5 | 1 | 1182.5 |
| 1185.0 | 1 | 1185.0 |
| 1187.5 | 1 | 1187.5 |
| 1190.0 | 1 | 1190.0 |
| 1192.5 | 1 | 1192.5 |
| 1195.0 | 1 | 1195.0 |
| 1197.5 | 1 | 1197.5 |
| 1200.0 | 1 | 1200.0 |
| 1202.5 | 1 | 1202.5 |
| 1205.0 | 1 | 1205.0 |
| 1207.5 | 1 | 1207.5 |
| 1210.0 | 1 | 1210.0 |
| 1212.5 | 1 | 1212.5 |
| 1215.0 | 1 | 1215.0 |
| 1217.5 | 1 | 1217.5 |
| 1220.0 | 1 | 1220.0 |
| 1222.5 | 1 | 1222.5 |
| 1225.0 | 1 | 1225.0 |
This chart shows lumens values from 1175 to 1225 assuming a 1 square meter area, so lux equals lumens directly. To use it for other areas, divide the lumens by that area size.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many lux are there in 1200 lumens over 2 square meters?
- What is the lux value if 1200 lm is spread across 0.8 m²?
- Does 1200 lm equal 1200 lux when the area changes?
- How to convert 1200 lumens to lux for a room of 10 square meters?
- What lux level results from 1200 lm lighting on 0.5 m²?
- Is 1200 lm always the same as 1200 lux?
- How does the area affect lux when converting from 1200 lumens?
Conversion Definitions
Lumen (lm): A lumen measures the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source per second, accounting for human eye sensitivity. It quantifies brightness as perceived, not energy output or power, helping compare how bright different light sources appear.
Lux (lx): Lux measures illuminance, the amount of visible light spread over a specific area—one lux equals one lumen per square meter. It indicates how intensely a surface is lit, affecting visibility, mood, and safety in environments.
Conversion FAQs
Can I convert lumens to lux without knowing the area?
No, you cannot accurately convert lumens to lux without knowing the surface area where the light spreads. Lux depends on lumens divided by area, so the area is essential to determine illuminance.
Why does the same lumen value produce different lux results?
Because lux measures light intensity per unit area, when the area increases, the lux decreases, even if the lumens remain constant. That’s why a 1200 lm bulb produces different lux on a desk vs a whole room.
Is lux always less than lumens?
Lux can be less than, equal, or even greater than lumens depending on the area. For example, 1200 lm over 1 m² equals 1200 lux, but over 2 m² it’s 600 lux. If the area is smaller than 1 m², lux can exceed the lumen value.
Are lumens and lux interchangeable units?
No, lumens and lux measure different things. Lumens measure total light output, while lux measures how that light spreads on a surface area. Confusing them can cause errors in lighting design.
How does distance affect lux if I have 1200 lumens?
As distance from the light source increases, the area illuminated grows, so lux decreases because the same lumens spread over a larger surface. Distance indirectly affects lux but not the total lumens emitted.
