Luminance Converter
Convert between different luminance units including candela per square meter, nit, stilb, lambert, and foot-lambert.
Result
1 cd/m² = 1 nt
Understanding Luminance Units: Candela per Square Meter to Nit to Stilb to Lambert
Luminance converters are essential tools for calculating brightness, luminous intensity per unit area, and display luminance in lighting design, display technology, and photometry. Whether you're working with candelas per square meter (cd/m²), nits (nt), millinits (mnt), stilbs (sb), lamberts (L), millilamberts (mL), foot-lamberts (fL), apostilbs, blondels, brils, skots, lumen per steradian units, or any of twenty luminance units, understanding luminance conversions is crucial for engineers, designers, and analysts in display technology, lighting design, automotive lighting, aerospace lighting, and visual display industries.
Luminance measurements quantify the luminous intensity per unit area of a light source or surface, representing brightness essential for display characterization, lighting design, and visual comfort assessment. From low-luminance displays like e-readers at 50-200 cd/m² to high-luminance displays like HDR TVs at 1000-4000 cd/m², and from dim indoor lighting at 1-10 cd/m² to bright outdoor surfaces at 10,000-50,000 cd/m², this comprehensive converter supports twenty luminance units with instant, accurate results for all your brightness, luminous intensity, and display luminance calculations across different measurement systems.
How to Convert Luminance Units: Formulas and Methods
Candela per Square Meter to Nit and Millinit Conversions
Converting from cd/m² to nit (nt) is exact, since 1 nit equals 1 cd/m² by definition. For example, a luminance of 300 cd/m² equals 300 nits. Converting to millinit (mnt) multiplies by 1000, since 1 millinit equals 0.001 cd/m², making 300 cd/m² equal to 300,000 millinits. Converting to kilocandela per square meter (kcd/m²) divides by 1000, since 1 kcd/m² equals 1000 cd/m², making 3000 cd/m² equal to 3 kcd/m². These conversions are exact and commonly used in display technology and photometry.
Stilb and Candela per Square Centimeter Conversions
Converting from cd/m² to stilb (sb) divides by 10,000, since 1 stilb equals 1 cd/cm², and 1 cm² equals 0.0001 m², giving 1 stilb = 10,000 cd/m². For example, 10,000 cd/m² equals 1 stilb. Converting to candela per square centimeter (cd/cm²) also divides by 10,000, since 1 cd/cm² equals 10,000 cd/m². Stilb units are commonly used in CGS system photometry and older scientific literature.
Lambert and Foot-Lambert Conversions
Converting from cd/m² to lambert (L) multiplies by approximately 0.000314, since 1 lambert equals 1/π × 10^4 cd/m², approximately 3183.099 cd/m². For example, 3183 cd/m² equals approximately 1 lambert. Converting to foot-lambert (fL) multiplies by approximately 0.292, since 1 foot-lambert equals 1/π × 10 cd/m², approximately 3.426 cd/m², making 100 cd/m² equal to approximately 29.2 foot-lamberts. Converting to millilambert (mL) multiplies by approximately 0.314, since 1 millilambert equals 0.001 lambert. Lambert units are commonly used in US photometry and display specifications.
Apostilb, Blondel, Bril, and Skot Conversions
Converting from cd/m² to apostilb multiplies by approximately 3.142, since 1 apostilb equals 1/π cd/m², approximately 0.3183 cd/m². Apostilb and blondel are equivalent units. Converting to skot divides by 1000, since 1 skot equals 10^-3 apostilb, approximately 0.0003183 cd/m². Converting to bril divides by 3.183e9, since 1 bril equals 10^-10 lambert, approximately 3.183e-10 cd/m². These units are used for low-luminance measurements and older photometric systems.
Luminance Versus Illuminance and Luminous Intensity
Luminance (L, cd/m²) measures luminous intensity per unit area of a light source or surface, while illuminance (E, lux) measures luminous flux per unit area incident on a surface. Luminous intensity (I, cd) measures total light output in a direction. Luminance relates to illuminance through surface reflectance: L = ρE/π for Lambertian surfaces, where ρ is reflectance. Converting luminance units helps engineers calculate display brightness, predict visual comfort, and design lighting systems when working with different measurement systems and comparing international photometric standards.
Luminance Conversion Reference Table
| cd/m² | nit | stilb | lambert | foot-lambert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0.0001 | 0.0003 | 0.292 |
| 10 | 10 | 0.001 | 0.003 | 2.92 |
| 100 | 100 | 0.01 | 0.031 | 29.2 |
| 300 | 300 | 0.03 | 0.094 | 87.6 |
| 1000 | 1000 | 0.1 | 0.314 | 292 |
| 10000 | 10000 | 1 | 3.142 | 2920 |
Typical Luminance Values by Application
| Application | cd/m² | nit | foot-lambert |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-reader display | 50-200 | 50-200 | 15-60 |
| Standard computer monitor | 200-400 | 200-400 | 60-120 |
| Smartphone display | 400-800 | 400-800 | 120-240 |
| TV display | 300-600 | 300-600 | 90-180 |
| HDR TV display | 1000-4000 | 1000-4000 | 300-1200 |
| Outdoor LED sign | 5000-10000 | 5000-10000 | 1500-3000 |
| Indoor lighting (wall) | 1-10 | 1-10 | 0.3-3 |
| Sunlit white paper | 25000 | 25000 | 7300 |
Industry Applications and Use Cases
Display Technology and Screen Design
Display engineers use luminance measurements in cd/m² or nits to characterize screen brightness, optimize visual quality, and ensure viewing comfort in consumer electronics and professional displays. Typical display luminances range from 50-4000 cd/m² for various display types and applications. Converting between cd/m², nits, foot-lamberts, and lamberts helps engineers work with international display standards, compare specifications, and design displays when working with different measurement systems and equipment specifications.
Lighting Design and Visual Comfort
Lighting designers calculate luminances in cd/m² or foot-lamberts to design lighting systems, assess visual comfort, and ensure adequate illumination in architectural and interior design. Typical surface luminances range from 1-1000 cd/m² for various indoor and outdoor lighting applications. Converting between luminance units helps designers work with international lighting standards, compare measurements, and design lighting systems when working with different measurement systems.
Automotive Lighting and Safety
Automotive engineers use luminance measurements in cd/m² to design headlights, taillights, and interior lighting for safety and visibility. Typical automotive luminances range from 100-10,000 cd/m² for various lighting components. Converting between luminance units helps engineers work with international automotive lighting standards, compare specifications, and design lighting systems when developing new vehicle lighting technologies.
Aerospace and Aviation Lighting
Aerospace engineers calculate luminances in cd/m² or foot-lamberts to design cockpit displays, navigation lights, and cabin lighting for safety and visibility. Typical aerospace luminances range from 10-1000 cd/m² for various lighting applications. Converting between luminance units helps engineers work with international aerospace standards, compare measurements, and design lighting systems when developing new aircraft lighting technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is luminance and how is it different from brightness?
Luminance (L, cd/m²) is the photometric quantity measuring luminous intensity per unit area, while brightness is the subjective perception of light intensity. Luminance is an objective, measurable quantity, while brightness depends on visual perception and adaptation. Converting luminance units helps engineers quantify light output and compare measurements when designing displays and lighting systems.
How do I convert cd/m² to nit?
cd/m² equals nit exactly, since 1 nit equals 1 cd/m² by definition. For example, 300 cd/m² equals 300 nits. This conversion is exact and commonly used in display technology and photometry.
How to convert cd/m² to foot-lambert?
Multiply cd/m² by 0.292 to get foot-lambert (fL), since 1 foot-lambert equals 1/π × 10 cd/m², approximately 3.426 cd/m². For example, 100 cd/m² equals approximately 29.2 foot-lamberts. Foot-lamberts are commonly used in US display and lighting specifications.
How to convert stilb to cd/m²?
Multiply stilb (sb) by 10,000 to get cd/m², since 1 stilb equals 1 cd/cm², and 1 cm² equals 0.0001 m², giving 1 stilb = 10,000 cd/m². For example, 1 stilb equals 10,000 cd/m². Stilb units are commonly used in CGS system photometry.
What's the relationship between luminance and illuminance?
Luminance (L, cd/m²) measures luminous intensity per unit area of a light source or surface, while illuminance (E, lux) measures luminous flux per unit area incident on a surface. For Lambertian surfaces, L = ρE/π, where ρ is reflectance. Converting luminance units helps engineers calculate display brightness and design lighting systems when working with different measurement systems.
How to convert lambert to cd/m²?
Multiply lambert (L) by 3183.099 to get cd/m², since 1 lambert equals 1/π × 10^4 cd/m², approximately 3183.099 cd/m². For example, 1 lambert equals approximately 3183 cd/m². Lambert units are commonly used in US photometry and display specifications.
How is luminance used in display specifications?
Display manufacturers specify luminance in cd/m² or nits to indicate screen brightness capabilities. Higher luminance values indicate brighter displays, important for outdoor visibility and HDR content. Converting luminance units helps engineers compare display specifications and work with international display standards when designing and evaluating displays.
How to convert apostilb to cd/m²?
Multiply apostilb by 0.3183 to get cd/m², since 1 apostilb equals 1/π cd/m², approximately 0.3183 cd/m². For example, 3.183 apostilbs equals 1 cd/m². Apostilb and blondel are equivalent units used for low-luminance measurements.
How accurate are luminance conversions?
Our converter uses exact mathematical relationships with 10-decimal precision. cd/m² to nit: exact 1:1 conversion. cd/m² to foot-lambert: multiply by 0.292 (using 1/π × 10 factor). cd/m² to stilb: divide by 10,000 exactly. These conversions ensure precision for scientific and engineering applications in photometry and display technology.
How is luminance measured in practice?
Luminance is measured using photometers or luminance meters that detect light intensity through filters matching the human eye's spectral sensitivity. Measurements are performed at specific viewing angles, and luminance is calculated from photometric readings. Converting luminance units helps engineers interpret measurements and compare data across different measurement instruments and international standards.
How does luminance relate to visual comfort?
Excessive luminance can cause visual discomfort, glare, and eye strain, while insufficient luminance reduces visibility. Recommended luminances range from 100-500 cd/m² for computer displays and 10-1000 cd/m² for general lighting depending on application. Converting luminance units helps engineers assess visual comfort and design appropriate lighting systems when working with different measurement systems.
How to convert millinit to cd/m²?
Divide millinit (mnt) by 1000 to get cd/m², since 1 millinit equals 0.001 cd/m². For example, 300,000 millinits equals 300 cd/m². Millinits are used for very low-luminance measurements in display technology and photometry applications.
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