Foot-candle to Lux Calculator
Convert foot-candles to lux with step-by-step calculations. Essential for lighting design, photography, and ensuring compliance with international standards.
Foot-candle to Lux Converter
Common Foot-candle to Lux Conversions
Click on these links to see instant conversions with common values:
Understanding Foot-candle to Lux Conversion
Foot-candle and lux are both units of illuminance, which measures the total luminous flux incident on a surface, per unit area. The conversion between them is straightforward as it's a direct unit conversion.
Conversion Formula
Where:
• lux = illuminance in lux (lm/m²)
• foot-candle = illuminance in foot-candles (lm/ft²)
• 10.764 is the conversion factor (1 square meter ≈ 10.764 square feet)
Key Concepts
- Foot-candle (fc): An imperial unit of illuminance, defined as one lumen per square foot.
- Lux (lx): The SI (metric) unit of illuminance, defined as one lumen per square meter.
- Illuminance: The amount of light falling on a given surface area.
Typical Illuminance Levels
| Environment | Foot-candles (fc) | Lux (lx) |
|---|---|---|
| Moonlight | 0.01 | 0.1 |
| Dim Office Lighting | 20-30 | 200-300 |
| Typical Office Lighting | 50 | 538 |
| Bright Office Lighting | 75-100 | 800-1000 |
| Overcast Day (Outdoor) | 100-1000 | 1000-10000 |
| Direct Sunlight | 10000 | 107527 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert foot-candles to lux?
Multiply the foot-candle value by 10.764 to get the equivalent illuminance in lux.
What is the difference between foot-candle and lux?
Foot-candle is an imperial unit (lumens per square foot), while lux is a metric unit (lumens per square meter). Lux is approximately 10.764 times larger than a foot-candle.
Why is it important to convert between foot-candles and lux?
It's important for compatibility in international projects, adhering to different regional lighting standards, and understanding product specifications that may use either unit.