Recommended Light Levels
The amount of light needed for any situation or task varies, and depends on:
- The general work area
- the individual’s vision
- the type of task being done (casual reading, high detail work…)
The units that we use to measure the amount of light that falls on any given surface, is called “Lux”. The light is usually measured about 78 cm from the floor (table height) unless special circumstances demand a different approach.
The following is a chart of recommended light levels in various situations. These are general recommendations, and can/should be adjusted for the situation at hand.
Task Area | Lux (lumens/sq.m) |
HOMES | |
Casual Reading | 300-500 |
Workshop or intensive reading | 500-1200 |
Kitchen | 300-550 |
Dining room | 200-300 |
Laundry room | 200-550 |
High detail work | 1100-2100 |
SCHOOLS AND OFFICES | |
Stairways and corridors | 150-300 |
Storage rooms | 100-500 |
General Classrooms | 550-800 |
General Offices | 350-750 |
Restrooms/toilet rooms | 150-300 |
Gymnasiums general exercise basketball | 300-400 750-1000 |
Auditoriums and assembly rooms | 100-200 |
Library | 500 |
Maintenance room | 300 |
Science laboratory | 500 |
Woodworking shop | 300-750 |