Light Level Recommendations


Light Level or Illuminance, is the total luminous flux incident on a surface, per unit area. The work plane is where the most important tasks in the room or space are performed.

Common and Recommended Light Levels Indoor

Outdoor light level is approximated at 10,000 lux on a clear day. In enclosed areas like commercial buildings, the light level may be as low as 25 - 50 lux. Additional lighting equipment is often necessary to compensate the low levels.

Below is a guide to the recommended light level for different activities:

HOMES
Illumination
(lux, lumen/m2)
Casual Reading 300 - 500
Workshop or intensive reading 500 - 1200
Kitchen 300 - 550
Dining room 200 - 300
Laundry room 200 - 550
High detail work 1000 - 2000


SCHOOLS AND OFFICES
Illumination
(lux, lumen/m2)
Stairways and corridors 150 - 300
Storage rooms 100 - 500
General Classrooms 250 - 550
General Offices 300 - 750
Restrooms/toilet rooms 150 - 300
Gymnasiums
     general exercise
     basketball
300 - 400
750 - 1000
Auditoriums and assembly rooms 100 - 200
Library 300 - 500
Maintenance room 300
Science laboratory 300 - 500
Woodworking shop 300 - 750
Office Landscapes 500 - 750
PUBLIC AREAS & OTHERS
Illumination
(lux, lumen/m2)
Public areas with dark surroundings 20 - 50
Simple orientation for short visits 50 - 100
Warehouses, Theaters, Archives 150
Groceries, Show Rooms, Laboratories 300 - 500
Supermarkets, Mechanical Workshops 500 - 750
Normal Drawing Work, Detailed Mechanical Workshops, Operation Theatres 1,000
Detailed Drawing Work, Highly Detailed Mechanical Works 1500 - 2000
Performance of visual tasks of low contrast and very small size for prolonged periods of time 2000 - 5000
Performance of very prolonged and exacting visual tasks 5000 - 10000
Performance of very special visual tasks of extremely low contrast and small size 10000 - 20000