Luminance Measurement Converter
Convert between various luminance units instantly with our accurate and easy-to-use tool. Perfect for lighting design, display technology, photography, and any application requiring luminance conversions.
Conversion Formulas: 1 Lambert = 3183.0988618 cd/m² | 1 Foot-lambert = 3.4262591 cd/m² | 1 Stilb = 10,000 cd/m²
About This Luminance Converter
Our Luminance Measurement Converter is a precise tool designed to help you effortlessly convert between different units of luminance. Whether you're working in lighting design, display calibration, photography, or scientific applications, this tool provides instant, accurate results.
Luminance is the measure of the luminous intensity per unit area of light traveling in a given direction. It describes how bright a surface will appear to the human eye and is crucial in fields like photography, display technology, and lighting engineering. The SI unit of luminance is the candela per square meter (cd/m²), also known as a nit.
This converter uses standard conversion formulas with candela per square meter (cd/m²) as the base unit. The interface is optimized for both desktop and mobile use, with real-time conversion as you type for maximum convenience.
Key Features
Instant Results
See luminance conversions immediately as you type, with no need to press any buttons unless you want to.
Comprehensive Units
Convert between all common luminance units including candela per square meter, lambert, foot-lambert, stilb, and more.
Mobile Optimized
Works perfectly on all devices from desktop computers to smartphones.
High Precision
Handles both very small and very large values with proper scientific notation and decimal precision.
Why Choose Our Converter?
- Accuracy: Uses exact conversion formulas for reliable results
- Completeness: Includes both common and specialized luminance units
- Speed: Get conversions instantly without page reloads
- Scientific Notation: Handles very large and very small values properly
- Accessibility: Works on all devices and browsers
- Educational: Shows the exact conversion formulas used
Frequently Asked Questions
What is luminance and why is it important?
Luminance is a photometric measure of the luminous intensity per unit area of light traveling in a given direction. It quantifies how bright a surface will appear to the human eye. Luminance is important in many fields including display technology (monitors, TVs, smartphones), photography, lighting design, and safety standards. It helps ensure consistent visual experiences across different devices and environments.
What's the difference between candela per square meter (cd/m²) and nit?
There is no difference—they are exactly the same unit. Candela per square meter (cd/m²) is the SI unit of luminance, while "nit" is simply a more common name for this same unit. Both terms are used interchangeably in professional settings, though cd/m² is more common in scientific contexts and nit is more prevalent in display technology specifications.
How accurate is this luminance converter?
Our converter uses the exact mathematical conversion factors between luminance units to provide precise results. For all practical purposes, the results can be considered exact to the displayed precision. The converter handles scientific notation and maintains appropriate decimal precision even for very large or small values.
What are typical luminance values for common displays?
Common display luminance values vary by technology and purpose:
• Standard desktop monitors: 200-300 cd/m²
• Laptop displays: 250-400 cd/m²
• Smartphones: 500-1000 cd/m²
• HDR TVs: 1,000-2,000 cd/m²
• High-end HDR monitors: Up to 1,600 cd/m²
• Professional HDR reference monitors: 1,000-4,000 cd/m²
• Outdoor displays: 2,000-5,000 cd/m²
Why are there so many different units for luminance?
The variety of luminance units exists for historical and practical reasons. Different fields developed their own measurement systems before standardization. For example, the foot-lambert relates to imperial measurements, while lamberts were developed for photographic applications. The stilb was once common in European lighting engineering. Today, while the candela per square meter (cd/m²) is the SI standard, these other units persist in specific industries and geographical regions due to established practices and legacy documentation.