Lux Level Guide

Recommended Lux Levels by Application

Lux (lx) measures illuminance, the amount of light falling on a surface. The values below follow CIBSE and BS EN 12464-1 guidance for interior lighting design. Use these as starting points when specifying luminaires for your project.

Office and Commercial

Space	Recommended Lux	Notes
General office / open plan	500 lx	Task lighting at desk level
Meeting rooms	300 - 500 lx	Dimmable recommended for presentations
Reception and lobby	200 - 300 lx	Feature lighting adds visual interest
Corridors and circulation	100 - 150 lx	Emergency lighting required
Server rooms	200 lx	Avoid glare on screens
Archives and storage	100 - 200 lx	Occupancy sensors reduce energy use

Hospitality

Space	Recommended Lux	Notes
Hotel reception	200 - 300 lx	Warm CCT (2700K - 3000K) preferred
Restaurant dining	100 - 200 lx	Tuneable white for day/evening transition
Bar area	50 - 150 lx	Accent lighting creates atmosphere
Hotel corridors	100 lx	Wall wash reduces dark spots
Hotel rooms	100 - 300 lx	Bedside reading 300 lx minimum
Conference facilities	300 - 500 lx	DALI dimming for flexibility

Retail

Space	Recommended Lux	Notes
Sales floor (general)	300 - 500 lx	CRI 90+ for colour accuracy
Window displays	1000 - 2000 lx	High output narrow beam spots
Fitting rooms	300 lx	Flattering warm light, CRI 90+
Checkout area	500 lx	Task lighting at counter
Storage and back of house	150 - 200 lx	IP rated if applicable

Healthcare

Space	Recommended Lux	Notes
Examination rooms	500 - 1000 lx	Supplementary task lighting
Patient wards	100 - 300 lx	Dimmable for night mode
Operating theatres	1000+ lx	Specialist surgical luminaires
Corridors	100 - 200 lx	Emergency maintained required
Waiting areas	200 - 300 lx	Comfortable, low glare (UGR less than 19)
Nurses stations	300 - 500 lx	Task lighting for paperwork

Education

Space	Recommended Lux	Notes
Classrooms	300 - 500 lx	UGR less than 19, dimmable for AV
Lecture halls	500 lx	Tuneable white supports circadian rhythm
Libraries	300 - 500 lx	Low glare essential
Sports halls	300 - 500 lx	IP rated, impact resistant (IK08+)
Corridors	100 - 150 lx	Vandal resistant fittings

Industrial and Warehouse

Space	Recommended Lux	Notes
General manufacturing	300 - 500 lx	High bay fittings, IP65 rated
Fine assembly / inspection	500 - 1000 lx	CRI 90+ for quality control
Warehouse aisles	150 - 200 lx	Occupancy sensing reduces costs
Loading bays	150 - 300 lx	Weather-rated fittings required
Car parks	50 - 100 lx	Emergency maintained on escape routes

Residential

Space	Recommended Lux	Notes
Living rooms	150 - 300 lx	Layered lighting (ambient + task + accent)
Kitchen (general)	300 lx	Under-cabinet task lighting 500 lx
Bathrooms	150 - 300 lx	IP44 minimum, mirror task 400 lx
Bedrooms	100 - 200 lx	Dim to warm for evening use
Stairs and hallways	100 - 150 lx	Safety lighting essential

Exterior

Space	Recommended Lux	Notes
Building entrance	100 - 200 lx	Transition zone from daylight
Pedestrian walkways	20 - 50 lx	Uniformity ratio matters
Car parks (outdoor)	20 - 50 lx	IP65+ rated, IK08 minimum
Facade lighting	Varies	Narrow beam uplights typical
Security perimeter	50 - 100 lx	PIR or microwave sensors

Standards reference: BS EN 12464-1:2021 (Interior workplaces), BS EN 12464-2:2014 (Outdoor workplaces), CIBSE Lighting Guide LG7 (Offices), SLL Lighting Handbook.

For project-specific lighting calculations and specification support, contact our design team at designs@emprics.com.