Short answer
Typical targets are 100–150 lux for corridors and stairs, 150–300 lux for living rooms and bedrooms, 300–500 lux for offices, classrooms and kitchens, 500–1000 lux for retail displays and detailed work, and 20–75 lux for outdoor parking and pathways.
What lux measures
Lux is the amount of light landing on a surface: one lumen per square metre. Lumens describe what a fitting emits; lux describes what actually reaches the desk, floor or shelf.
Recommended lux by space
| Space | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Corridors, stairs | 100 – 150 lux |
| Living room, bedroom | 150 – 300 lux |
| Kitchen worktop | 300 – 500 lux |
| Office desk, classroom | 300 – 500 lux |
| Retail display | 500 – 1000 lux |
| Outdoor parking, pathways | 20 – 75 lux |
A quick way to estimate fittings
Multiply the room area in square metres by the target lux, then divide by the lumen output of one fitting and by about 0.5 to allow for losses. A 20 m² office at 400 lux needs roughly 20 × 400 ÷ 0.5 = 16,000 lumens of fittings. For a firm design, ask for a lighting calculation.
Layer the light
Good schemes combine general light, task light and accent light. A track system with diffused blades for general light and spots for displays covers two layers on one track.
Common questions
How many lux does an office need?
300 to 500 lux on the desk is the usual target for general office work.
What is the difference between lux and lumens?
Lumens is the light a fitting emits. Lux is how much of it lands on each square metre of a surface.