For Consumers
Comparing lumens to watts
Comparing lumens to watts
Are you struggling to buy a lamp that provides similar brightness as your old one? Just remember, think lumens, not watts, when buying a new lamp.
Assuming you replace an old halogen or incandescent lamp with a LED lamp, use the tables below to select the lumens equivalent to the number of watts of your old-style lamp.
Check the information on your old halogen or incandescent lamp and take this information with you to the store.
By lamp technology
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Standard lamps (non-directional mains voltage) to LED (CRI 80)
These lamps are traditionally used for household lighting.
The first column is the type of lamp.
The second column is the power (watts) information.
The third column is the least number of lumens (lm) you should look for in an LED lamp. Remember, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Type of lamp Your old incandescent or halogen lamp wattage (W) LED Equivalent or higher lumen (lm) Traditional tungsten filament incandescent 15
135
Traditional tungsten filament incandescent 25
245
Traditional tungsten filament incandescent 40
470
Traditional tungsten filament incandescent 60
800
Traditional tungsten filament incandescent 75
1000
Traditional tungsten filament incandescent 100
1500
Traditional tungsten filament incandescent 150
2450
Traditional tungsten filament incandescent 200
3450
Halogen 11
135
Halogen 25
245
Halogen 28
470
Halogen 42
800
Halogen 52
1000
Halogen 70
1500
Halogen 105
2450
Halogen 140
3450
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Mains voltage blown glass reflectors type of LED
These lamps are used for directional and recessed lighting, often in homes and commercial premises and come in different shapes.
The first column is the type of lamp.
The second column is the power (watts) information.
The third column is the least number of lumens (lm) you should look for in an LED lamp. Remember, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Type of lamp Your old lamp wattage (W) LED Equivalent or higher lumen (lm) R50/NR50 25
104
R50/NR50 40
196
R63/NR63 40
207
R63/NR63 60
345
R80/NR80 60
345
R80/NR80 75
403
R80/NR80 100
667
R95/NR95 75
403
R95/NR95 100
621
R125 100
667
R125 150
1150
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Mains voltage pressed glass reflector type
These lamps are used for recessed, directional or flood lighting and come in different shapes.
The first column is the type of lamp.
The second column is the power (watts) information.
The third column is the least number of lumens (lm) you should look for in an LED lamp. Remember, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Type of lamp Your old lamp wattage (W) LED Equivalent or higher lumen (lm) PAR16/GU10 20
104
PAR16/GU10 25
144
PAR16/GU10 35
230
PAR16/GU10 50
345
PAR20 35
230
PAR20 50
345
PAR20 75
575
PAR25 50
403
PAR25 75
633
PAR30S 50
403
PAR30S 75
633
PAR30S 100
863
PAR36 50
403
PAR36 75
633
PAR36 100
828
PAR38 60
460
PAR38 75
638
PAR38 80
690
PAR38 100
874
PAR38 120
1035
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Extra low voltage reflect type
These lamps are used for recessed, directional, and spot lighting and come in different shapes.
The first column is the type of lamp.
The second column is the power (watts) information.
The third column is the least number of lumens (lm) you should look in an LED lamp. Remember, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Type of lamp Your old lamp wattage (W) LED Equivalent or higher lumen (lm) MR11 GU4 20
184
MR11 GU4 35
345
MR16GU5.3 or IRC 37 W 20
207
MR16GU5.3 or IRC 37 W 35
345
MR16GU5.3 or IRC 37 W 37-50
621
AR111 35
288
AR111 50
449
AR111 75
736
AR111 100
903
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Linear Fluorescent Tubes to LED replacement tubes (CRI 80)
These lamps are used for general illumination, often in kitchens, garages, offices, schools, and car parks and come in different shapes.
The first column is the type of lamp and the length of it.
The second column is the least number of lumens (lm) you should look in an LED replacement tube. Remember, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Type of lamp and length LED Equivalent or higher lumen (lm) T8 (600 mm) 800
T8 (900 mm) 1200
T8 (1200 mm) 1600
T8 (1500 mm) 2000
T5 HE (1200 mm) 1600
T5 HO (1200 mm) 3200