How to Calculate Lumens per Square Foot for Commercial Spaces
When it comes to lighting your commercial space—whether it's a warehouse, a showroom, or a retail shop—getting the right amount of light is crucial. Too little, and your space feels dark and uninviting. Too much, and you risk wasting energy and creating an uncomfortable, overly bright environment. So, how do you strike the perfect balance? The key to achieving the right balance is understanding lumens per square foot.
Lumens per Square Foot
I mean, it may seem fairly straightforward if you're familiar with lighting, but I want to break down the terms for simplicity’s sake.
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Lumens are the measure of the total amount of light emitted by a light source. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
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Square footage refers to the area of the space that you want to light up.
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Lumens per square foot, also known as foot-candles, tells you how much light is hitting each square foot of a given area.
As an example, a large warehouse needs a different amount of light than something like an office or a showroom, because the type of work done in each different space—and the atmosphere you're aiming for—will dictate how much light is required.
To figure out how much light you need, you first need to know how many lumens are required for the specific activity or ambiance you're going for. Don’t worry—you don’t have to do this on your own. We’ve got you covered.
How to Calculate Lumens per Square Foot
Step 1: Determine the Square Footage of Your Space
The first thing you need to do is measure your space in square feet. You can do this by simply multiplying the length and width of the room. So, if your warehouse is 40 feet long and 30 feet wide, you’d calculate:
40 ft × 30 ft = 1,200 square feet
Easy peasy.
Step 2: Research the Recommended Lumens for Your Space
Different areas have different lighting needs, depending on the tasks and functions of the space. Here’s a general guideline for some common commercial spaces:
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Offices (general work areas): 30–50 foot-candles
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Retail spaces or showrooms: 50–100 foot-candles
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Warehouses: 30–50 foot-candles
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Manufacturing areas: 50–100 foot-candles
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Storage areas: 10–30 foot-candles
Consider the purpose of your space—do you need bright, focused light for intricate tasks, or just enough light for visibility and functionality? Do you need bright, focused light for intricate tasks, or do you just want enough light to keep things visible and functional?
Step 3: Calculate the Total Lumens Required for the Space
Based off of all of the work you’ve just done—measuring and researching—you can calculate the total lumens needed.
For example, let’s say you’re lighting a warehouse (1,200 square feet), and you’re aiming for 50 foot-candles. The formula for total lumens is:
Total lumens = Square footage × Foot-candles
1,200 sq ft × 50 foot-candles = 60,000 lumens
This is the total amount of light your warehouse needs.
Step 4: Choose the Right Light Fixtures
Now that you know how many lumens you need, it’s time to pick your lights. This is where things can get a little tricky. Different lights provide different lumen output. That’s why you’ll need to pay attention to the lumen output of each fixture and make sure you’re selecting the right one for the job.
Sunco Solutions
At Sunco, we offer a range of commercial lighting solutions that can help you hit those exact lumens targets without overdoing it or underdelivering.
UFO High Bay Lights
UFO high bay lights are perfect for high-ceiling spaces like warehouses and factories. They deliver high lumens output—sometimes up to 30,000 lumens or more—and are designed to cast even, bright light across large areas. So, if you’re working with large square footage (like that 1,200-square-foot warehouse), UFO high bays are an excellent choice. They provide the necessary brightness without making you worry about energy costs.
LED Shop Lights
For a more focused, less intense light, Sunco’s LED shop lights are great for spaces like workshops, garages, or smaller warehouses. These fixtures can deliver a range of lumens, from about 4,000 to 10,000 depending on the model, making them a flexible option for spaces with lower lumen requirements. Plus, they’re energy-efficient, so you don’t have to worry about skyrocketing energy bills.
Linear High Bay Lights
For more uniform lighting across the ceiling, Sunco’s linear high bay lights are a fantastic option. They’re ideal for spaces like offices or retail showrooms that require bright but diffused light. These lights come in various lumen outputs, so you can select the right one depending on your needs.
Calculating the Number of Fixtures
Now that you know how many lumens you need, the next step is determining how many fixtures you need to reach that total. Let’s use our warehouse example again. If you need 60,000 lumens and you’re using a UFO high bay light that emits 15,000 lumens, you’ll need:
60,000 lumens ÷ 15,000 lumens per fixture = 4 fixtures
This means you’d need four UFO high bay lights to meet the illumination requirements for your warehouse.
Final Thoughts
Getting your lighting right in commercial spaces isn’t just about picking the brightest bulbs. It’s about understanding your space, knowing how much light is needed, and choosing the right fixtures to meet those needs. Whether you're working with a vast warehouse or a smaller office, the process of calculating lumens per square foot is essential for creating the best environment possible.
At Sunco, we’re all about helping you get the right lighting for your space—no matter the size. Our range of UFO high bays, shop lights, and linear LEDs makes it easy to find the perfect solution, tailored to your needs. Plus, with our energy-efficient products, you’ll be making a smart investment for the long haul.
Need help selecting the perfect lighting? Contact our team today for expert advice on the best fixtures for your space! We’re here to make sure you get the perfect lighting for your needs!
https://lakeelectricaz.com/