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Unit converters · Light

Luminance converter

Convert luminance between candela/square meter, nit, lambert, and other units.

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Illumination converter Luminous intensity converter Frequency wavelength converter

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How it works

Two steps, no account

1

Pick your units

SI candela-based units, CGS units like the stilb and lambert, or photometric legacy units.

2

Enter a value

The result updates instantly as you type, or as soon as you change either unit.

FAQ

Common questions

Is my data sent anywhere?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser — nothing is transmitted, logged, or stored.
What's the difference between luminance and illumination?
Luminance describes how bright a surface appears to the eye — light emitted or reflected from it, per unit area. Illumination (see the illumination converter) measures how much light falls onto a surface. A screen has luminance; a desk under a lamp has illumination.
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Illumination converter Light falling on a surface, not emitted from it.
Luminous intensity converter The candela-based source strength behind luminance.
Frequency wavelength converter The color/wavelength side of any light measurement.
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Luminance Converter

Convert between different units of luminance (brightness) used in photometry, display technology, and lighting engineering.

How to Use

1. Enter Value

Type the value you want to convert.

2. Select Units

  • From: Select the source unit (e.g., candela/square meter).
  • To: Select the destination unit (e.g., foot-lambert).

3. Result

The converted value is displayed instantly.

Supported Units

  • Candela per square meter (cd/m²): The SI unit of luminance, also known as the Nit (nt).
  • Nit (nt): Commonly used in display technology (phones, monitors). 1 nt = 1 cd/m².
  • Stilb (sb): CGS unit. 1 sb = 10,000 cd/m².
  • Lambert (L): Non-SI unit.
  • Foot-lambert (fL): Common in the US for cinema screens and avionics.
  • Apostilb (asb)
  • Skot
  • Bril

Use Cases

  • Display Tech: Comparing screen brightness (usually in nits).
  • Cinema: Projector brightness is often measured in foot-lamberts.
  • Lighting Design: Ensuring consistent lighting levels in architectural projects.
  • Physics & Engineering: converting between scientific measurement systems.

Conversion Accuracy

We use precise conversion factors to ensure accuracy for scientific and engineering applications. For example, 1 foot-lambert is approximately 3.426 nits.