Lumens to Watts Conversion Chart | LEDVANCE

When selecting LED bulbs, we now focus more on lumens than wattage. In this article, we will explain what lumens are, and you can use our lumens-to-watts chart to choose the right bulb. Whether you’re upgrading your office lighting or checking your home’s energy use, this chart makes it easy to choose the best option.

This Lumens to Watts Conversion Chart provides an estimate of the wattage equivalents for different types of bulbs (incandescent, LED, and CFL) based on their light output in lumens.

Note: Please pay attention that the above values ​​are approximate. The actual wattage may vary slightly depending on the specific brand and model of the bulb, so please check the manufacturer's specifications.​

When selecting lighting solutions, it's common practice to reference wattage. Traditionally, wattage has been associated with a bulb's output, with the assumption that higher wattage correlates to increased brightness. However, wattage fundamentally indicates electrical power consumption. For instance, a 60-watt incandescent bulb consumes 60 watts per hour. It's crucial to understand that wattage does not directly quantify light output. 

In contemporary lighting, lumens serve as the definitive metric for brightness. Lumens directly measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a source, representing its perceived brightness. A higher lumen value signifies greater light output. For example, an 800-lumen LED bulb produces the same light output as a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb.

Therefore, for modern lighting procurement, lumens should be the primary consideration for assessing brightness, while wattage should be used to determine energy consumption. In essence, lumens define brightness, and watts define power consumption. 
The shift to lumens reflects advancements in energy-efficient lighting technologies. Lumen provides a more accurate representation of a bulb's brightness. Different bulb types may produce the same lumens with varying wattages.​​​


 

Understanding lumens-to-watts conversion requires knowing the luminous efficiency of each bulb type. Incandescent bulbs typically produce 10–15 lumens per watt, whereas LED bulbs offer 80–100 lumens per watt, providing greater energy efficiency.
Check the standard reference values below for luminous efficacy:
 

• Incandescent bulbs: 10–17 lm/W
• Halogen bulbs: 15–25 lm/W
• CFL (fluorescent): 50–70 lm/W
• LED bulbs: 80–150+ lm/W

Higher efficacy means more light output per watt, indicating better energy efficiency. In addition, Most LED bulbs, fluorescent lamps, or other lighting products list their luminous efficacy on the packaging or datasheet. Or, you can calculate it yourself if you know the luminous flux and power consumption. Here is the equation: 
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Take 800 lumens to watts as an example: if you need 800 lumens of brightness and your LED has an efficiency of 100 lumens per watt, it only requires about 8 watts. This same calculation applies to other common scenarios: 500 lumens equals 5W, and 1000 lumens equals 10W. 
Using this simple lumens-to-watts method helps you select bulbs that provide the right brightness while maximizing energy efficiency—perfect for commercial spaces, offices, or home lighting upgrades.

 

Based on the table above, LEDs and CFLs usually provide higher efficiency than standard incandescent bulbs. This efficiency not only reduces energy consumption but also lowers greenhouse gas emissions, supporting global sustainable development goals. By prioritizing lumens in lighting decisions, consumers can make a significant contribution to environmental protection and energy conservation.
Explore LEDVANCE’s TruWave CCT Selectable LED Lamps to Maximize Energy-Efficient Lighting Solutions. These advanced lighting solutions combine a strong lumens-to-watts conversion with adjustable color temperatures, offering both flexibility and top-tier efficiency. By providing five different CCT options, our lamps can not only adapt to your lighting needs but also help you achieve optimal energy efficiency. 
In addition, TruWave CCT Selectable LED Lamps simulate the natural light spectrum, promote a better sleep/wake cycle, and reduce eye fatigue by reducing the intensity of blue light. They feature a 90+ CRI for excellent color rendering, and both BR30 and PAR38 models allow for easy switching of settings. These lights offer an efficient and versatile lighting solution that meets energy conservation goals, making them an ideal choice for anyone looking to optimize lighting performance and energy efficiency. ​​​​

1. How many watts is 800 lumens? ​​
The wattage for 800 lumens varies depending on the type of bulb. For incandescent bulbs, it typically takes about 60 watts. For LED bulbs, it ranges from 8 to 12 watts, and for CFL bulbs, it’s around 13 to 18 watts. 

2. Why are lumens more important than watts for measuring brightness? 
Lumens measure the actual light output or brightness of a bulb, whereas watts measure power consumption. With advancements in energy-efficient lighting technologies, different bulbs can produce the same brightness (lumens) with varying wattages. Therefore, lumens provide a more accurate representation of a bulb's brightness.

3. Why do LEDs have higher lumens per watt compared to traditional lighting?
LEDs are more efficient than traditional lighting mainly because they work in a completely different way. Old-school bulbs like incandescent produce light by heating a filament until it glows, which means most of the electricity turns into heat, not light. That’s a lot of wasted energy.

LEDs, on the other hand, use a process called electroluminescence. When electricity passes through a semiconductor, it directly creates light with very little energy loss. That makes LEDs much more efficient.

In addition, LED light is naturally directional, unlike traditional bulbs that scatter light in all directions and need reflectors to redirect it, LEDs shine light exactly where it’s needed. That focused beam means even more of the light is actually useful, boosting their real-world efficiency.

For years, people used watts to measure the brightness of the light bulb. However, watts measure energy usage, not the actual light output of a bulb.
Modern LEDs deliver higher brightness with less energy—a 10W LED can match or exceed a 60W incandescent by efficiently turning power into light instead of heat.

This is where “wattage thinking” falls short. First, it leads to bad comparisons. You might see two bulbs labeled “100W equivalent,” but if one is 90 lumens per watt and the other is 120, they’ll give off very different amounts of light. Second, it hides just how much energy old bulbs waste. Traditional incandescent bulbs waste about 90% of their energy as heat.

If you’re still buying bulbs based on watts, you’re missing out on better options. For example, if you pick a 60W bulb for your living room lamp without checking the lumens, you might end up with excessive light.. For businesses, especially in places like warehouses, using outdated wattage standards will result in paying 3–5 times more for electricity than switching to efficient, lumen-focused LED lighting.

That’s why a lumens to watts conversion becomes essential. It helps consumers and professionals alike understand true light output, make smarter energy decisions, and shift toward more efficient, cost-saving LED solutions.

Understanding lumens-to-watts conversion is essential for selecting the right bulb. Using lumens-to-watts conversion charts helps you choose energy-efficient bulbs that deliver the right brightness, improve operational efficiency, and reduce energy costs. With this approach, you can make smarter lighting choices while staying aligned with sustainability goals.