How Many Lumens Do I Need for Outdoor Lighting? (Calculator)
As the days get shorter, outdoor lighting becomes increasingly important for safety, security, and ambiance. But how many lumens do you really need for outdoor lighting? To fully answer this question the following are some general guidelines as to how many lumens are needed for different outdoor settings.
| Outdoor Location | Amount of Lumens |
|---|---|
| Pathway Lighting | 100-200 lumens per square foot |
| Landscape Lighting | 50-300 lumens per square foot, depending on the effect |
| Security Lighting | 700-1300 lumens, depending on the area to be covered |
| Floodlights | 700-1300 lumens, depending on the size of the area to be covered |
| Pool Lighting | 200-400 lumens per square foot, depending on the size and effect desired |
But If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to determine the required amount of lumens for your outdoor lighting needs, I got you covered. Simply use the calculator below to get an instant answer on how many lumens you’ll need for outdoor locations.
Lumens Calculator for Outdoor Lighting
What Are Lumens and How Do They Differ From Wattage?
Lumens are a measurement of light output that indicates how bright a light source is. Specifically, they measure the amount of visible light emitted by a light source in all directions. The more lumens a light source has, the brighter it will be.
In the past, people used wattage to determine the brightness of a light bulb. However, with the advent of LED lighting, wattage is no longer an accurate indicator of brightness. LED lighting is much more efficient than traditional incandescent lighting, meaning that it can produce more light with fewer watts. Instead, lumens are now used to measure the brightness of a light source.
So, while wattage measures the amount of energy a light source uses, lumens measure the amount of visible light emitted by a light source. When choosing outdoor lighting, it is important to consider the number of lumens needed to achieve the desired effect rather than relying solely on wattage.
How to Calculate Lumens for Outdoor Lighting
To calculate lumens, you need to know the wattage and efficacy of the light source. Efficacy measures how efficiently a light source converts electricity into light. The higher the efficacy, the fewer watts you need to produce a given number of lumens.
For a specific outdoor lighting real-world scenario, let’s say you want to install landscape lighting in your backyard to achieve moderate brightness in a 100-square-foot area. You plan to use lighting fixtures with an efficacy of 50 lumens per watt. To calculate the number of lumens needed, you can follow these steps:
- Determine the wattage needed. For landscape lighting, you need between 50 and 300 lumens per square foot, depending on the desired effect. For a moderate level of brightness, use the lower end of this range and aim for 50 lumens per square foot. This means you need a total of 5000 lumens for your 100-square-foot area.
- Calculate the wattage needed. To do this, divide the total number of lumens by the efficacy of the lighting fixtures. In this case, 5000 lumens divided by 50 lumens per watt equals 100 watts.
By knowing the wattage and efficacy of the light source and using these simple calculations, you can determine the appropriate number of lumens needed for any outdoor lighting scenario.
How Many Lumens Do You Need for Outdoor Lighting?
The number of lumens you need for outdoor lighting depends on the type of lighting you’re using and the area you want to light up. Here are some general guidelines:
Pathway Lighting
For pathway lighting, you need between 100 and 200 lumens per square foot. For example, if you have a 100-square-foot pathway, you’ll need between 10,000 and 20,000 lumens.
Landscape Lighting
For landscape lighting, you need between 50 and 300 lumens per square foot, depending on the effect you want to achieve. For example, if you want to highlight a tree, you may only need 50 lumens per square foot. If you want to light up an entire backyard, you may need up to 300 lumens per square foot.
Security Lighting
For security lighting, you need between 700 and 1300 lumens, depending on the area you want to cover. For example, if you want to light up a small area near your front door, you may only need 700 lumens. If you want to cover a large area, such as a backyard, you may need up to 1300 lumens.
Floodlights
For floodlights, you need between 700 and 1300 lumens, depending on the size of the area you want to cover. For example, if you want to light up a small area, such as a driveway, you may only need 700 lumens. If you want to cover a large area, such as a parking lot, you may need up to 1300 lumens.
Pool Lighting
For pool lighting, you need between 200 and 400 lumens per square foot, depending on the size of your pool and the effect you want to achieve. For example, if you have a 500-square-foot pool and you want to create a romantic ambiance, you may only need 200 lumens per square foot. If you want to light up the entire pool for a nighttime swim, you may need up to 400 lumens per square foot.
Conclusion
Choosing the right amount of lumens for your outdoor lighting is important for achieving the desired effect. By understanding what lumens are, how to calculate them, and how many you need for different types of outdoor lighting, you can create a safe and beautiful outdoor space.
Also read: How to light a living room with no overhead lighting
Remember, the number of lumens you need will vary depending on the size of the area you want to light up and the effect you want to achieve. Whether you’re lighting a pathway, landscape, security area, floodlights, or pool, it’s important to choose the right amount of lumens to ensure your outdoor lighting is effective.
Also read: Outdoor sign lighting ideas (5 storefront lighting concepts explained)
So, when planning your outdoor lighting, take the time to determine how many lumens you need to create the perfect atmosphere for your outdoor space. With the right amount of lumens, you can transform your outdoor area into a safe, inviting, and beautiful place to spend your time.
FAQs
- What is a lumen? A lumen is a measurement of the amount of visible light emitted by a light source in all directions.
- Can I use too many lumens for outdoor lighting? Yes, using too many lumens for outdoor lighting can be overpowering and create glare. It’s important to choose the right amount of lumens for the area you want to light up.
- What is the best type of outdoor lighting for security? For security lighting, it’s best to use floodlights with a minimum of 700 lumens. This will provide enough brightness to deter intruders and make it easier for you to see any potential threats.