Downlight spacing calculator
LED Downlight Spacing Calculator – Perfect Your Lighting Design
LED downlights are the cornerstone of modern, energy-efficient lighting solutions. Affordable, versatile, and sleek, they can effortlessly transform any room into a bright, welcoming space. The secret to getting it just right? Knowing exactly how many downlights you need and where to position them for optimal illumination. This page offers a simple LED downlight spacing calculator along with essential tips to help you design the perfect lighting layout for your home or office.
Understanding Lumens vs Lux: Key Lighting Metrics Explained
Before planning your downlight placement, it’s important to grasp the difference between two fundamental lighting measurements:
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Lumens: This measures the total light output emitted by a light fixture. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. For LED downlights, lumens vary with wattage and dimmability—allowing you to adjust brightness levels as needed.
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Lux: Lux measures the amount of light that actually reaches a surface. It depends on the distance between the light source and the target area, as well as the size of that area. Lux tells you how well-lit a particular space will be.
For effective lighting design, lux is especially critical. The “average lux” in your room reflects the usable light available for everyday activities. You can increase this by adding more downlights or opting for higher-lumen bulbs.
Lux Level | Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
<15 | Ambient lighting | Security lighting, pathway lighting |
15-100 | General lighting | Hallways, cupboards and basic lighting |
100-250 | General lighting | Bedrooms, dining areas, cafes, entertainment spaces, accent lighting (e.g. for paintings) |
250-600 | Task lighting | Kitchen counter, office desks, classrooms, retail paces |
600+ | Task lighting | Specific tasks (e.g. parts assembly stations) |
Lux Level | Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
<15 | Ambient lighting | Security lighting, pathway lighting |
15-100 | General lighting | Hallways, cupboards and basic lighting |
100-250 | General lighting | Bedrooms, dining areas, cafes, entertainment spaces, accent lighting (e.g. for paintings) |
250-600 | Task lighting | Kitchen counter, office desks, classrooms, retail paces |
600+ | Task lighting | Specific tasks (e.g. parts assembly stations) |
Recommended Lux Levels for Different Spaces and Tasks
To create a comfortable and functional environment, it’s vital to match your lighting to the room’s purpose. Here are some general lux level guidelines to help you plan your downlight layout:
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Ambient Lighting (100-150 lux): Provides soft, gentle illumination perfect for hallways, living rooms, or mood lighting. Ideal for creating a relaxing atmosphere.
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General Lighting (200-300 lux): Suitable for most living areas such as bedrooms, dining rooms, and lounges, delivering bright and even light for daily activities.
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Task Lighting (400-700 lux): Required for workspaces like kitchens, home offices, and study areas where focused, intense light reduces eye strain and improves visibility.
Use our LED downlight spacing calculator below to estimate how many downlights you’ll need and the best spacing to achieve your desired lux level efficiently!
Lux Level | Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
<15 | Ambient lighting | Security lighting, pathway lighting |
15-100 | General lighting | Hallways, cupboards and basic lighting |
100-250 | General lighting | Bedrooms, dining areas, cafes, entertainment spaces, accent lighting (e.g. for paintings) |
250-600 | Task lighting | Kitchen counter, office desks, classrooms, retail paces |
600+ | Task lighting | Specific tasks (e.g. parts assembly stations) |
Average Light Output and What to Expect
The brightness you get from your LED downlights depends on several factors, including wattage, beam angle, and the distance between the light and your work surfaces. For rooms with a standard ceiling height of 2.4 metres, the table below outlines the typical lumen and lux values you can expect from various downlight options. Remember, using multiple downlights can significantly increase the overall average lux, creating a brighter and more evenly lit space.
Understanding Lumens vs Lux: Key Lighting Metrics Explained
Wattage | Average Lumen Output | Lux at 2,400mm |
|---|---|---|
5W | 450 lm | 42 lx |
8W | 650 lm | 61 lx |
9W | 730 lm | 69 lx |
10W | 875 lm | 83 lx |
12W | 950 lm | 90 lx |
13W | 1000 lm | 94 lx |
14W | 1200 lm | 113 lx |
Wattage | Average Lumen Output | Lux at 2,400mm |
|---|---|---|
5W | 450 lm | 42 lx |
8W | 650 lm | 61 lx |
9W | 730 lm | 69 lx |
10W | 875 lm | 83 lx |
12W | 950 lm | 90 lx |
13W | 1000 lm | 94 lx |
14W | 1200 lm | 113 lx |
Colour Temperature | Usage |
|---|---|
Cool White (5000K-6500K) | Offices and industrial settings that need a bright, cool light for safety and accessibility |
Warm White (2700K-3000K) | Bedrooms, living areas, cafes and any space that you want to feel warm and cosy |
Neutral White (3500K-4100K) | Kitchens, offices and other work areas where clarity is important |
Colour Temperature | Usage |
|---|---|
Cool White (5000K-6500K) | Offices and industrial settings that need a bright, cool light for safety and accessibility |
Warm White (2700K-3000K) | Bedrooms, living areas, cafes and any space that you want to feel warm and cosy |
Neutral White (3500K-4100K) | Kitchens, offices and other work areas where clarity is important |
Choosing the Right Colour Temperature
Colour temperature plays a crucial role in setting the mood and ambience of your space. Measured in Kelvins (K), LED downlights typically range from warm white to cool white tones, allowing you to customise your lighting to perfectly suit your home or workspace atmosphere.
Determining the Right Number of LED Downlights for Your Space
Wondering how many LED downlights you need for your room? Consider these key factors to design an effective lighting layout:
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Room size and dimensions
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Ceiling height and fixture mounting location
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Purpose and usage of the space
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Optimal distance between downlights
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Proximity to walls, furniture, and windows
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Beam angle of the downlights (typically 90°–100°)
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Other ceiling fixtures like fans or vents
While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, a standard 3m x 3m bedroom usually requires between 4 and 9 LED downlights for balanced illumination. Larger areas such as kitchens and living rooms often need additional lighting, including task-specific downlights, to maximise both functionality and ambience.
Spacing Your LED Downlights for Optimal Lighting
Proper spacing is key to achieving balanced, effective lighting with LED downlights. Typically, downlights are installed between 1.5 to 4 metres apart for general ambient lighting, but the ideal distance depends on the desired lighting effect and room layout.
It’s also important to consider the placement relative to walls, ceiling fans, and other fixtures. As a guideline, position downlights at least 1 metre away from walls and corners to prevent harsh shadows, and maintain a minimum of 1.5 metres distance from ceiling fans and other mounted lights to avoid overlapping illumination and ensure even light distribution.