How to convert watts to lumens
How to convert electric power in watts (W) to luminous flux in lumens (lm).
You can calculate lumens from watts and luminous efficacy.
Watt and lumen units represent different quantities, so you can't convert watts to lumens.
Watts to lumens calculation formula
The luminous flux ΦV in lumens (lm) is equal to the power P in watts (W), times the luminous efficacy η in lumens per watt (lm/W):
ΦV(lm) = P(W) × η(lm/W)
So
lumens = watts × (lumens per watt)
or
lm = W × (lm/W)
Example
What is the luminous flux of a lamp that has power consumption of 60 watts and luminous efficacy of 15 lumens per watt?
ΦV = 60W × 15lm/W = 900lm
Luminous efficacy table
Light type Typical
luminous efficacy
(lumens/watt)Tungsten incandescent light bulb 12.5-17.5 lm/W Halogen lamp 16-24 lm/W Fluorescent lamp 45-75 lm/W LED lamp 30-90 lm/W Metal halide lamp 75-100 lm/W High pressure sodium vapor lamp 85-150 lm/W Low pressure sodium vapor lamp 100-200 lm/W Mercury vapor lamp 35-65 lm/W
See also