Quickly convert lux to candela with our free Lux to Candela Calculator. Just enter your values to get accurate results instantly.
Lux to Candela Calculator
What is 1 lux in candela?
Lux (lx) measures illuminance — how much light falls on a surface.
Candela (cd) measures luminous intensity — how much light a source emits in a specific direction.
To understand “What is 1 lux in candela?” you need to know the distance between the light source and the measurement point.
Using the formula:
1 lux = d² candela (when distance d is in meters and the light is directly facing the surface).
For example:
- At 1 meter, 1 lux = 1 candela.
- At 2 meters, 1 lux = 4 candela.
- At 3 meters, 1 lux = 9 candela.
This relationship shows why distance is crucial when converting.
How to Convert Lux to Candela Step by Step
Here’s how to do it manually:
- Measure the illuminance (lux) using a light meter.
- Measure the distance (in meters) from the light source to the measurement point.
- If the surface is tilted, measure the angle between the light beam and the surface normal (optional).
- Apply the formula to calculate candela.
For example, if a surface receives 500 lux from a light source 2 meters away:
Candela = 500 × (2²) = 2000 cd.
💡 Tip: If you need the reverse conversion, check our Candela to Lux Converter for accurate results.
Lux to Candela Formula
The standard formula is:
I (cd) = E (lx) × d² ÷ cos(θ)
Where:
- I = Luminous intensity in candela (cd)
- E = Illuminance in lux (lx)
- d = Distance from light source in meters
- θ = Angle between the light beam and surface normal (0° if directly facing)
If no angle is involved (θ = 0°), the formula simplifies to:
I = E × d²
This is the formula used in our calculator, ensuring accurate, physics-based results.
Bottom line: Whether you’re testing LED brightness, setting up a photography shoot, or working on lighting design, our Lux to Candela Calculator helps you get reliable results instantly. Try it now and save time in your lighting calculations.
You can also explore other tools in our Lighting Converters collection to handle different lighting calculations with ease.
