The conversion table is the fundamental tool for anyone who wants to switch from traditional lamps (incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent or neon) to modern LED light sources, without losing light quality and without making over- or under-illumination errors. Whether you are a professional electrician working on the relamping of a large system, an interior architect designing lighting for a design space, a hotel manager wanting to reduce energy consumption, or a private individual renovating their home, knowing the exact values of lumens, watts and CRI will allow you to choose the right lamp on the first try, saving time, money and avoiding costly returns or replacements.
In this guide you will find the most complete conversion tables available online, with all correspondence values between the main lighting technologies, detailed explanations on how to read and use conversion factors, precise answers to the most frequently asked questions, and a section dedicated to CRI, a parameter often overlooked but decisive for the perceived quality of light. Ledpoint has created this in-depth analysis to offer you all the technical information you could possibly need, enriched with links to the most suitable products for every requirement: from the living room chandelier to high-efficiency industrial installations.
A conversion table is a mathematical and technical tool that allows translating a physical quantity or unit of measurement into another equivalent one, without loss of information and with a simple, immediate operation. In mathematics, conversions are the foundation of the International System of Units (SI): these are fixed relationships between units of the same type (e.g., from kilometers to miles, from Celsius to Fahrenheit, from inches to centimeters) or between quantities correlated by known physical laws.
In the context of lighting, the conversion table answers a practical and very concrete question: "if I want to replace a traditional lamp with an LED, what wattage should I choose to get the same amount of light?" The answer is not trivial, because watts and lumens are not the same thing: watts measure the electrical energy consumed, while lumens measure the luminous flux actually emitted.
For decades, consumers have been accustomed to thinking in watts: "I want a 60-watt lamp" implicitly meant "I want a certain amount of light." This mental framework worked because all incandescent lamps had very similar luminous efficacy (about 10-15 lm/W), so watts and light were substantially proportional. With the advent of LEDs, which can reach 80-160 lm/W, this approach no longer works: a 10-watt LED lamp produces as much light as a 60-75 watt incandescent lamp used to produce.
The conversion table definitively solves this problem by listing, for each technology, the power in watts, the luminous flux in lumens and, where applicable, the Color Rendering Index CRI. Anyone who can read a conversion table can perform correct, safe and efficient relamping.
In mathematics, a conversion is the operation by which a quantity is expressed in a different unit of measurement, using a conversion factor: a number (or ratio between units) that, when multiplied or divided by the original value, provides the equivalent value in the new unit. The principle is very simple:
New_Value = Original_Value × Conversion_Factor
For example, 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters: if I need to convert 10 inches to cm, I multiply 10 × 2.54 = 25.4 cm. Similarly, if I want to know how many lumens a 10W LED lamp with 100 lm/W efficiency produces, I multiply 10 × 100 = 1,000 lumens.
The inch is a linear unit of measurement from the Anglo-Saxon imperial system. 1 inch = exactly 2.54 centimeters. In lighting, the inch is still used to indicate the dimensions of certain lamps and fixtures: LED strips, for example, are often measured in meters, but American installation guides still use inches to indicate segment lengths. The dimensions of MR16 and PAR30/PAR38 lamps also refer to fractions of an inch (e.g., MR16 = 2-inch diameter = 50 mm). Knowing the inch/cm conversion factor (1 inch = 2.54 cm) is therefore also useful for those working with international catalogs of LED products.
In the technical language of lighting, when we speak of conversion index we usually refer to luminous efficacy (or luminous efficiency), i.e., the number of lumens produced per watt consumed (lm/W). This value is the conversion factor between electrical energy and visible light. The higher the conversion index (lm/W), the more efficient the light source: for the same light output, it consumes less energy. The following table shows typical values by technology:
| Technology | Typical Efficiency (lm/W) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Incandescent | 10 – 15 | Obsolete technology, banned in EU |
| Standard Halogen | 15 – 25 | In progressive EU phase-out |
| ECO Halogen | 18 – 28 | 30% improved efficiency |
| Compact Fluorescent (CFL) | 40 – 70 | Contains mercury, special disposal required |
| Neon / Linear Fluorescent T8 | 70 – 100 | Requires ballast, being phased out |
| Neon / Linear Fluorescent T5 | 80 – 110 | High efficiency, thinner than T8 |
| Standard LED (basic quality) | 70 – 100 | Good quality, entry-level market |
| Professional quality LED | 100 – 130 | Professional standard, high CRI |
| Premium / high-efficiency LED | 130 – 200+ | Advanced chips |
Before consulting any conversion table, it is essential to thoroughly understand the three quantities that compose it. Lumens, watts and CRI are the three parameters that completely describe a light source from both a technical and perceptual point of view. Those who understand them can choose the right lamp for any application, without relying on vague indications like "warm light" or "60-watt equivalent" printed on the packaging.
The watt (symbol W, named after the Scot James Watt) is the unit of measurement for electrical power in the International System. In the context of lamps, it indicates how much electrical energy the lamp draws from the grid every second of operation. The watt does not measure the amount of light produced: it measures only the energy consumed. A 60W incandescent lamp dissipates most of that energy as heat (about 85-90%), producing light with the remaining 10-15%. An 8W LED lamp, on the other hand, converts about 40-50% of the energy into visible light, with efficiency up to 5-7 times higher.
Practical consequence: comparing different lamps based on watts is profoundly misleading. The correct quantity to compare is the luminous flux, measured in lumens.
The lumen (symbol lm) is the unit of measurement for luminous flux in the International System: it measures the total amount of visible light emitted by a source in all directions. It is the quantity that really matters when choosing a lamp: more lumens = more light perceived by the human eye. Unlike watts, lumens are independent of the technology used to produce them: 800 lumens produced by an LED lamp give the same perceived amount of light as 800 lumens produced by a halogen lamp.
The European standard EN 60064 and mandatory energy labels require indicating luminous flux in lumens on all lamps, precisely to allow consumers to correctly compare products of different technologies.
The CRI (Color Rendering Index, in Italian Indice di Resa Cromatica, abbreviated Ra) is a dimensionless index that measures how faithfully a light source reproduces the colors of objects compared to a reference light (sunlight or black body, depending on color temperature). It ranges from 0 to 100: the value 100 indicates perfect color rendering, identical to natural light.
The CRI is determined by measuring the perceived color difference on 8 standard color samples (R1–R8) illuminated by the source under examination compared to the reference light. Extended versions (R9–R15) exist that include saturated red (R9), yellow (R10), green (R11) and skin tones (R13–R15).
| CRI Value (Ra) | Color Rendering Quality | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| CRI ≥ 90 | Excellent | Museums, jewelry stores, showrooms, surgery, photography |
| CRI 80–89 | Good | Homes, hotels, offices, retail stores |
| CRI 60–79 | Fair | Hallways, stairs, technical areas |
| CRI 40–59 | Acceptable | Warehouses, storage areas, indoor parking |
| CRI < 40 | Poor | Street lighting with sodium vapor (being phased out) |
Why is CRI important in LED conversion? Many economical LED lamps have CRI 70-75: they do produce the same amount of lumens, but colors appear dull, complexions look sickly, fabrics lose vibrancy. Someone replacing a halogen lamp (CRI ~100) with a CRI 70 LED will end up with light that is technically equivalent in lumens, but qualitatively inferior. A complete conversion table must therefore include CRI as well, not just watts and lumens.
Below you will find the main conversion table, which directly relates the four main lighting technologies—incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent (CFL) and LED—based on luminous flux expressed in lumens. It is the most complete LED conversion table, designed for quick use by professionals and private individuals.
| Luminous Flux (lm) | Incandescent (W) | ECO Halogen (W) | CFL Fluorescent (W) | Standard LED (W) | Premium LED (W) | Typical LED CRI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~200 lm | 25 W | 18 W | 6–7 W | 2.5–3 W | 1.8–2.5 W | 80–95 |
| ~250 lm | 25–30 W | 20 W | 7 W | 3 W | 2–2.5 W | 80–95 |
| ~300 lm | 30 W | 22 W | 8 W | 3.5–4 W | 2.5–3 W | 80–95 |
| ~400 lm | 40 W | 28 W | 9–10 W | 4–5 W | 3–4 W | 80–95 |
| ~500 lm | 40–50 W | 35 W | 11 W | 5–6 W | 4–5 W | 80–95 |
| ~600 lm | 50–60 W | 40 W | 13 W | 6–7 W | 5–6 W | 80–95 |
| ~806 lm | 60 W | 48 W | 15 W | 8–9 W | 6–7 W | 80–95 |
| ~1.000 lm | 75 W | 55–60 W | 18–20 W | 10–12 W | 8–9 W | 80–95 |
| ~1.100 lm | 75 W | 60 W | 20 W | 11–13 W | 9–10 W | 80–95 |
| ~1.380 lm | 100 W | 77 W | 25 W | 13–16 W | 11–13 W | 80–95 |
| ~2.000 lm | 150 W | 105 W | 35 W | 20–25 W | 16–20 W | 80–95 |
| ~2.600 lm | 200 W | 140 W | 45 W | 26–32 W | 20–26 W | 80–95 |
| ~3.000 lm | 200–230 W | 160 W | 55 W | 30–38 W | 23–30 W | 80–95 |
| ~4.000 lm | 300 W | 210 W | 70 W | 40–50 W | 30–40 W | 80–95 |
| ~5.000 lm | 375 W | 260 W | 90 W | 50–63 W | 38–50 W | 80–95 |
| ~6.000 lm | 450 W | 315 W | 110 W | 60–75 W | 46–60 W | 80–95 |
| ~8.000 lm | 600 W | 420 W | 145 W | 80–100 W | 62–80 W | 80–95 |
| ~10.000 lm | 750 W | 525 W | 180 W | 100–125 W | 77–100 W | 80–95 |
How to read this conversion table
You need to locate the desired luminous flux (in lumens) in the first column. Then scan the columns to read the power required for each technology. For example, to get about 806 lumens (equivalent to a classic 60-watt bulb), a standard LED requires only 8–9 watts, a premium LED only 6–7 watts.
For those in a hurry, this simplified version allows you to immediately find the LED equivalent starting from the watts of the old incandescent lamp.
| Incandescent Lamp (W) | Lumens Produced (approx.) | Equivalent LED (W) | Energy Savings (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 W | ~220 lm | 2–3 W | ~88% |
| 40 W | ~410 lm | 4–5 W | ~88% |
| 60 W | ~806 lm | 8–9 W | ~85% |
| 75 W | ~1.055 lm | 10–11 W | ~85% |
| 100 W | ~1.380 lm | 13–15 W | ~85% |
| 150 W | ~2.000 lm | 20–22 W | ~85% |
| 200 W | ~2.600 lm | 26–30 W | ~85% |
| 300 W | ~3.900 lm | 40–46 W | ~85% |
| 500 W | ~6.500 lm | 65–75 W | ~85% |
| Halogen Lamp (W) | Lumens Produced (approx.) | Equivalent LED (W) | Energy Savings (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 W | ~250 lm | 2–3 W | ~85% |
| 35 W | ~500 lm | 5–6 W | ~83% |
| 50 W | ~700–800 lm | 7–8 W | ~84% |
| 75 W | ~1.000 lm | 10–12 W | ~84% |
| 100 W | ~1.400 lm | 14–16 W | ~84% |
| 150 W | ~2.100 lm | 21–24 W | ~84% |
| 250 W | ~3.500 lm | 35–42 W | ~83% |
| 500 W | ~7.000 lm | 70–88 W | ~83% |
| CFL Fluorescent (W) | Lumens Produced (approx.) | Equivalent LED (W) | Energy Savings (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 W | ~250 lm | 2–3 W | ~50% |
| 7 W | ~400 lm | 3–4 W | ~50% |
| 9 W | ~500 lm | 4–5 W | ~50% |
| 11 W | ~600 lm | 5–6 W | ~50% |
| 13 W | ~700 lm | 6–7 W | ~50% |
| 15 W | ~900 lm | 8–9 W | ~47% |
| 18 W | ~1.100 lm | 10–11 W | ~45% |
| 23 W | ~1.400 lm | 12–14 W | ~45% |
| 30 W | ~2.000 lm | 18–20 W | ~40% |
| 36 W | ~2.400 lm | 22–24 W | ~40% |
| T8 Fluorescent Tube (W) | Length (cm) | Lumens Produced (approx.) | Equivalent LED T8 (W) | Savings (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 W | 60 cm | ~1.000 lm | 9–10 W | ~44% |
| 30 W | 90 cm | ~1.800 lm | 14–16 W | ~47% |
| 36 W | 120 cm | ~2.400 lm | 18–20 W | ~47% |
| 58 W | 150 cm | ~4.000 lm | 28–32 W | ~46% |
The conversion factor is the number that allows direct conversion from one quantity to another. In the case of lighting, the most important conversion factor is luminous efficacy (lm/W), which tells you how many lumens are produced per watt consumed by the light source. But there are also other useful conversion factors, which we examine in this section.
The principle is simple: start from the physical relationship between the two quantities and calculate the ratio.
Practical example: I have a 12W LED lamp with 110 lm/W efficiency. Luminous flux = 12 × 110 = 1,320 lm. To obtain the same flux with a more efficient LED at 130 lm/W: 1,320 ÷ 130 = 10.15W. Savings: from 12 to ~10W, i.e., about 17% more efficiency.
| Technology | Average lm/W Factor | Formula: lm = W × | Formula: W = lm ÷ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incandescent | 12 lm/W | lm = W × 12 | W = lm ÷ 12 |
| Standard Halogen | 20 lm/W | lm = W × 20 | W = lm ÷ 20 |
| ECO Halogen | 25 lm/W | lm = W × 25 | W = lm ÷ 25 |
| CFL Fluorescent | 55 lm/W | lm = W × 55 | W = lm ÷ 55 |
| Standard LED | 90 lm/W | lm = W × 90 | W = lm ÷ 90 |
| Professional LED | 110 lm/W | lm = W × 110 | W = lm ÷ 110 |
| Premium LED | 130 lm/W | lm = W × 130 | W = lm ÷ 130 |
In addition to lumens (total flux), in the professional world lux (lx) is often used, which measures illuminance, i.e., the amount of light falling on a surface of 1 square meter. The relationship is:
1 lux = 1 lumen per square meter (lm/m²)
The conversion factor between lumens and lux depends on the illuminated area: the larger the surface, the more the lumens are diluted and the lux decrease. In lighting design planning, software such as Dialux or Relux is used to calculate lux at every point in the environment, starting from the lumens emitted by the sources.
| Type of Environment | Recommended Illuminance (lux) | Reference Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Residential corridor | 100–150 lux | UNI EN 12464-1 |
| Living room | 200–300 lux | UNI EN 12464-1 |
| Kitchen | 300–500 lux | UNI EN 12464-1 |
| Bathroom | 300–500 lux | UNI EN 12464-1 |
| Office (workstation) | 500 lux | UNI EN 12464-1 |
| Retail store | 500–1.000 lux | UNI EN 12464-1 |
| Hospital (operating room) | 1.000–10.000 lux | UNI EN 12464-1 |
| Sunny outdoors | 10.000–100.000 lux | Natural reference |
Below you will find all the most frequent practical questions that our technicians receive every day.
200 lumens correspond to about 2–2.5 LED watts (with 80–100 lm/W efficiency). For comparison, the same amount of light would require about 15–17 incandescent watts or about 5 watts with a CFL. 200 lm is a very low amount of light, suitable for accent lighting, night lights or signage.
220 lumens correspond to 2–2.5 LED watts. It is the equivalent of a very old 15–20W incandescent lamp. Typical application: E14 LED filament decorative bulbs for atmospheric chandeliers, or low-intensity signal lights.
250 lumens correspond to about 2.5–3 LED watts, equivalent to a 25W incandescent lamp or an 18–20W halogen. To understand how much 250 lm illuminates: it is a decent light, sufficient for a bedside lamp or soft accent lighting, but clearly insufficient as main lighting in a room.
300 lumens correspond to about 3–4 LED watts. It is the flux of a 25–30W incandescent lamp. It is adequate for small wall sconces, spot reading lights or decorative lighting. In a narrow corridor (e.g., 1×3 meters), 300 lm can be sufficient for an illuminance of about 100 lux.
400 lumens correspond to about 4–5 LED watts, equivalent to a 40W incandescent lamp. 400 lm illuminate well a space of about 2–4 m² with an illuminance of 100–200 lux, sufficient for transit areas. They are not sufficient for a workstation or kitchen, where at least 300–500 lux are needed.
500 lumens correspond to about 5–6 LED watts, equivalent to a 40–50W incandescent lamp. It is a sufficient amount of light for small service rooms or as accent lighting in a living room also illuminated by other sources.
600 lumens correspond to about 6–7 LED watts, equivalent to a 50–60W incandescent lamp. It is one of the most common values for standard residential E27 6W LED bulbs. Sufficient for small rooms (compact bathroom, small children's room, bedside tables).
These questions deserve a separate explanation. A single LED (standard SMD chip) has very variable power: from 0.06W (0603 SMD LED for electronics) to 1W, 3W, 5W, 10W for power LEDs. So there is no "1 LED = X watts" without specifying the type of LED. However, when talking about complete lamps:
10 LED watts correspond to about 800–1,100 lumens, depending on efficiency (80–110 lm/W). It is the equivalent of a 60–75W incandescent lamp. A 10W E27 LED bulb is among the most common for general residential use.
What does 10 LED watts correspond to in practice? It is suitable for: living room chandelier on a single ceiling fixture, bedside lamp with wide diffuser, small bathroom lighting with a single light point.
12 LED watts correspond to about 960–1,320 lumens (80–110 lm/W efficiency), equivalent to a 75–100W incandescent lamp. What does 12W LED correspond to: it is one of the most versatile powers for home use, ideal for bedrooms, living rooms and medium-sized bathrooms. It is the classic "100-watt replacement" in many modern applications.
This is one of the most frequent questions about LED conversion. 1,000 lumens correspond to:
1,000 lumens: how many watts in total savings? Switching from a 75W incandescent bulb to a 10W LED, the annual savings (with 4 hours of daily use × 365 days, at €0.25/kWh) is about €18.98 per single lamp.
1,000 lumens on a surface of 10 m² give an illuminance of 100 lux (sufficient for corridors and transit areas). On 5 m², they give 200 lux (adequate for generic residential environments). For a comfortable living room (200–300 lux on 15 m²), about 3,000–4,500 total lumens distributed over multiple light points would be needed.
2,000 lumens correspond to
How much do 2,000 lumens illuminate? On a 15 m² environment they give about 133 lux (sufficient for a bright corridor or living room with supplementary lighting). On 10 m² they give 200 lux. What does 2,000 lumens correspond to in practice? A pendant ceiling lamp in a medium-large living room, or an industrial spotlight for small warehouses.
50 LED watts correspond to about 4,000–6,500 lumens, depending on efficiency (80–130 lm/W). It is the equivalent of:
50W LED is used for outdoor LED projectors, commercial area lighting, truck and van headlights, construction site spotlights. It is a high power for civil use, typical of professional or light industrial applications.
3,000 lumens correspond to:
How much do 3,000 lumens illuminate? On 20 m² they give 150 lux (adequate for a living room with basic lighting). On 15 m² they give 200 lux. On 10 m² they give 300 lux (excellent for kitchens and bathrooms). 3,000 lm LED: how many watts: 30W for standard LED, 23W for premium LED.
4,000 lumens correspond to:
What does 4,000 lumens correspond to? It is the amount of light sufficient to illuminate an entire 12–15 m² kitchen at 300 lux, or an 8–10 m² office at 400–500 lux. It is also the typical power of a construction site LED projector or a workshop spotlight.
5,000 lumens correspond to
How much do 5,000 lumens illuminate? On 25 m² they give 200 lux (good lighting for a lounge). On 16 m² they give 312 lux (excellent for open space kitchen). On 10 m² they give 500 lux (ideal for a single high visual efficiency office). 5,000 lm LED: how many watts: about 40–50W depending on product quality.
10,000 lumens correspond to:
10,000 lm is a very high luminous power for civil use. It is used for: stadium projectors, warehouse and shed lighting, large outdoor areas of hotel complexes or shopping centers, professional construction site floodlights.
In previous sections we have already seen the main conversion tables. Here we deepen the conversions for each lamp type, with focus on the most common real-world applications in residential, hospitality, commercial and industrial settings. The following conversion tables have been developed by Ledpoint.it based on real technical datasheets from major manufacturers on the market.
| Incandescent (W) | Lumens | E27 LED (W) | Recommended Color Temperature | Recommended CRI | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 W | ~220 lm | 2–3 W | 2700K | ≥80 | Decorative bulb, bedside table |
| 40 W | ~410 lm | 4–5 W | 2700K–3000K | ≥80 | Small wall sconces, table lamps |
| 60 W | ~806 lm | 7–9 W | 2700K–3000K | ≥80 | Living room chandelier, bathroom |
| 75 W | ~1.055 lm | 10–11 W | 2700K–4000K | ≥80 | Kitchen, main bathroom |
| 100 W | ~1.380 lm | 13–15 W | 3000K–4000K | ≥80 | Kitchen, study, office |
| 150 W | ~2.000 lm | 20–22 W | 3000K–4000K | ≥80 | Large spaces, civil warehouses |
| Halogen GU10/MR16 (W) | Lumens | LED GU10/MR16 (W) | Beam Angle | CRI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 W | ~220 lm | 2–3 W | 36°–60° | ≥80 | Accent lighting |
| 35 W | ~380 lm | 4–5 W | 36°–60° | ≥80 | Standard home use |
| 50 W | ~500–600 lm | 5–7 W | 36°–60° | ≥80 | Kitchen, bathroom, retail |
| 75 W | ~800–900 lm | 8–10 W | 24°–36° | ≥90 | Display cases, showrooms |
| 100 W | ~1.200 lm | 12–14 W | 24°–36° | ≥90 | Professional lighting |
Converting from T8/T5 fluorescent tubes to LED is one of the most widespread relamping interventions in industrial and commercial settings, with investment returns often under 2 years.
| Fluorescent Tube | Power (W) | Lumens (approx.) | Replacement LED (W) | LED Lumens | Savings (%) | Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T8 – 60 cm | 18 W | ~1.000 lm | 9 W | ~1.000 lm | 50% | Remove starter + ballast |
| T8 – 90 cm | 30 W | ~1.800 lm | 15 W | ~1.800 lm | 50% | Remove starter + ballast |
| T8 – 120 cm | 36 W | ~2.400 lm | 18 W | ~2.400 lm | 50% | Remove starter + ballast |
| T8 – 150 cm | 58 W | ~4.000 lm | 28 W | ~4.000 lm | 52% | Remove starter + ballast |
| T5 – 55 cm | 14 W | ~1.200 lm | 8 W | ~1.200 lm | 43% | Adapter or fixture replacement |
| T5 – 85 cm | 21 W | ~1.800 lm | 12 W | ~1.900 lm | 43% | Adapter or fixture replacement |
| T5 – 115 cm | 28 W | ~2.400 lm | 16 W | ~2.500 lm | 43% | Adapter or fixture replacement |
| T5 – 145 cm | 35 W | ~3.100 lm | 20 W | ~3.200 lm | 43% | Adapter or fixture replacement |
The CRI (Color Rendering Index), also indicated as Ra or Color Rendering Index (IRC in Italian), is undoubtedly the most undervalued parameter when choosing an LED lamp, yet it is the one with the greatest impact on perceived light quality. A conversion table that does not include CRI is incomplete: you can have the right lumens and the right watts, but if the CRI is low, the light will appear artificial, dull and unpleasant.
The CRI is measured according to the CIE 13.3 (Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage) standard. The method involves illuminating 8 reference color samples (R1–R8, called Test Color Samples or TCS) both with the source under examination and with a reference source (black body or daylight, depending on color temperature). The chromatic difference between the two sets of values is calculated in the CIE 1964 (UCS) color space and converted into an index: CRI = 100 − (average of differences on the 8 samples × scale factor).
The reference samples R1–R8 cover a range of moderately saturated colors. The optional samples R9–R15 cover more extreme colors:
| Sample | Color | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | Desaturated red | High (general warm tones) |
| R2 | Yellow | High (food lighting) |
| R3 | Saturated green | High (plants, fabrics) |
| R4 | Green-blue | Medium |
| R5 | Light blue | Medium |
| R6 | Blue-violet | Medium |
| R7 | Violet-red | Medium |
| R8 | Saturated red-violet | Medium |
| R9 | Saturated red | Critical (complexions, meat, red flowers) |
| R10 | Saturated yellow | High (gold, food) |
| R11 | Saturated green | High (vegetables, fabrics) |
| R12 | Saturated light blue | Medium (sky, water) |
| R13 | Light complexion | Critical (fashion stores, surgery, hotels) |
| R14 | Green leaf | High (florists, restaurants) |
| R15 | Asian complexion | Critical (international hotels) |
Why is R9 so important? The R9 sample (saturated red) is not included in the standard CRI Ra calculation. Yet it is the color that most influences the rendering of human complexions, meat at food counters, red flowers and many building and decorative materials. An LED with CRI Ra = 90 but R9 = 20 will appear dull and unnatural on red tones. In the technical datasheet of a professional LED lamp, always look for the R9 value separately and choose products with R9 ≥ 50 (preferably R9 ≥ 80 for critical applications).
When using the conversion table to switch from halogen to LED, keep in mind that:
Alongside watts, lumens and CRI, color temperature (expressed in Kelvin, symbol K) is the fourth fundamental parameter for a truly complete LED conversion. It describes the hue of the emitted light: from a warm-orange white (similar to candlelight) to a cold-bluish white (similar to light from an overcast sky). It is not a parameter of light quality, but of its hue: neither warm nor cold light is absolutely better, but each is more suitable for certain environments and uses.
| Color Temperature (K) | Designation | Visual Sensation | Recommended Environments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.800 – 2.200 K | Ultra-warm white | Orange-amber, flame | Decorative lamps, LED candles, historic homes |
| 2.700 K | Warm white | Yellow-orange, similar to incandescent | Bedrooms, living rooms, restaurants, hotel spas |
| 3.000 K | Warm white | Slightly yellow white | Kitchens, residential bathrooms, hotels |
| 3.500 K | Neutral warm | Neutral-warm white | Small offices, retail, boutiques |
| 4.000 K | Neutral white | Pure white, "daylight" | Offices, professional kitchens, stores, hotel bathrooms |
| 5.000 K | Daylight | Cold white, daylight | Laboratories, hospitals, technical environments |
| 5.500 – 6.500 K | Cool white / Daylight | Bluish-white, cloudy light | Warehouses, workshops, industrial lighting |
One of the most common errors in relamping is replacing incandescent lamps (2700K) with cold white LEDs (6500K), obtaining a visually disturbing result in warm, welcoming environments. A correctly used conversion table must also specify the target color temperature:
Relamping is the systematic replacement process of obsolete lamps with more efficient LED sources. It is one of the most profitable interventions in terms of energy savings, especially for commercial, industrial and hospitality activities that keep lights on for many hours a day. Professional relamping does not end with simple lamp replacement: it requires a lighting design evaluation, correct selection of LED products (using the appropriate conversion table), verification of system compatibility and, in many cases, an update of the system itself.
There are several steps to follow scrupulously before proceeding with the purchase and installation of new lamps, let's see which ones.
Before any purchase, a professional surveys the existing setup: lamp types, power, daily and annual operating hours, type of fixtures, presence of ballasts or drivers. This allows calculating current consumption and estimating savings after relamping.
Using the conversion table, the technician identifies the LED equivalent for each existing lamp, verifying: equivalent lumens, color temperature suitable for the environment, CRI appropriate for the use, base compatibility (E27, GU10, T8, etc.) and compatibility with any existing dimming systems.
LEDs require adequate drivers or power supplies. Many relamping problems (flickering, shutdowns, dimmer incompatibility) stem from inadequate or incompatible drivers. A qualified electrician must verify:
Installation must be performed by qualified personnel (licensed electrician) for non-simple plug-and-play replacements. Testing verifies correct operation, absence of flickering (measurement of PF and flicker index) and actual light output (lux measurement with luxmeter).
At the end of relamping, the technician prepares a report with: energy savings in kWh/year, economic savings in €/year, CO₂ emissions reduction, and calculation of the investment payback period (ROI = Investment Cost ÷ Annual Savings).
For those who want to perform relamping independently in their homes, here is the simplified 5-step process:
The correct application of the conversion table varies significantly depending on the type of environment. There is no "universal" LED suitable for any space: each environment has specific requirements for lumens, CRI, color temperature, IP rating and, in many cases, regulatory compliance. In this section we analyze the main contexts, with technical recommendations for each.
The bathroom is one of the most demanding environments from a lighting point of view. The light must be functional (for grooming and makeup), comfortable (for a relaxing experience), safe (in the presence of humidity and steam), and aesthetically pleasing (especially in luxury hospitality contexts).
The UNI EN 12464-1 standards recommend 300–500 lux on the bathroom work surface (mirror, sink). To obtain 300 lux on a standard 5–6 m² bathroom, about 1,500–3,000 total lumens are needed, distributed over one or more light points. For a luxury bathroom or with particularly large mirrors, you can go up to 4,000–5,000 lumens with dedicated mirror lighting.
What are the advantages of LEDs over traditional lights for hotel bathrooms?
LEDs offer: 80–88% energy savings compared to incandescent, lifespan 25,000–50,000 hours (vs. 1,000–2,000 hours for halogen), no heat emission (important in small, enclosed spaces), maximum color rendering with CRI ≥ 90, and dimming capability to create customized environments.
A hotel with 50 rooms, each with 4 x 50W halogen spotlights in the bathroom, spends about 1,825 kWh/year just for those spotlights. Replacing with 6W LEDs, consumption drops to 219 kWh/year: savings of over €400 per year for bathrooms alone.
Are LED lights safe for use in humid environments like the bathroom?
Yes, provided you choose products with the correct IP rating: IP44 as minimum for the entire bathroom, IP65 for wet zones (shower stalls, jet bathtubs). ENEC/CE certified LEDs for use in humid environments are safe and compliant with CEI 64-8 standard and bathroom safety zones.
What is the best type of LED lighting for a luxury bathroom?
For a luxury bathroom, the optimal solution combines: main lighting with CRI ≥ 95 flat LED panels or recessed downlights at 3000K, mirror lighting with linear LED wall sconces with direct side lighting (to eliminate shadows on the face) at 4000K, CRI ≥ 95, possible low-brightness 2700K LED strip for accent and nighttime lighting under shelves or along bathtub edges.
| Element | Traditional Solution | LED Equivalent | CRI | Kelvin | IP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 m² ceiling fixture | 60W incandescent | 9W E27 LED 806 lm | ≥90 | 3000K | IP44 |
| Recessed spotlights (×4) | 50W GU10 halogen | 6W GU10 LED (×4) | ≥90 | 3000K | IP44 |
| Mirror sconces | 40W G9 halogen | 5W G9 LED (×2) | ≥95 | 4000K | IP44 |
| Shower strip | — | IP65 LED strip 14W/m | ≥90 | 4000K | IP65 |
| Night light | 4W incandescent | 0.5W sensor LED | ≥80 | 2700K | IP44 |
In an office, lighting directly influences productivity, concentration, visual fatigue and even workers' circadian rhythm. The UNI EN 12464-1 standard prescribes a minimum illuminance of 500 lux on the work surface (desk) for office activities. This means that a 20 m² office needs about 10,000 total lumens (500 lux × 20 m²), distributed over LED panels or linear fixtures.
| Office Space | Area (m²) | Target Lux | Total Lumens Needed | Recommended LED Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single workstation | 4 m² | 500 lux | 2.000 lm | 1× 600×600 mm 36W LED panel |
| 6-person open space | 30 m² | 500 lux | 15.000 lm | 6× 600×600 mm 36W LED panels |
| Meeting room | 20 m² | 500 lux | 10.000 lm | 4× LED panels + dimmer |
| Reception / entrance | 15 m² | 300 lux | 4.500 lm | LED downlights + decorative strips |
| Corridor | 10 m² | 150 lux | 1.500 lm | LED ceiling fixtures or downlights |
The hotel industry is one of the sectors with the greatest energy savings potential thanks to LED relamping. According to IEA (International Energy Agency) data, lighting represents on average 25–30% of a hotel's energy consumption. A complete relamping can reduce this figure by 60–80%, with investment payback periods of 1–3 years.
| Hotel Area | Traditional Lamps | Annual Consumption (kWh) | Equivalent LED | Annual LED Consumption (kWh) | Annual Savings (€, 0.25 €/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 rooms (4 x 60W lamps/room) | 60W × 200 pcs × 6h × 365d | 26.280 kWh | 9W LED | 3.942 kWh | 5.585 € |
| Corridors (20 x 50W spotlights) | 50W × 20 × 12h × 365d | 4.380 kWh | 6W LED | 526 kWh | 964 € |
| Restaurant (40 x 50W spotlights) | 50W × 40 × 10h × 365d | 7.300 kWh | 6W LED | 876 kWh | 1.606 € |
| Lobby (20 x 100W lamps) | 100W × 20 × 16h × 365d | 11.680 kWh | 15W LED | 1.752 kWh | 2.482 € |
| Total hotel | — | 49.640 kWh | — | 7.096 kWh | 10.636 €/year |
In industrial settings, lights are often on 16–24 hours a day, and choosing the correct LED has an enormous economic impact. The most common types are LED high bay fixtures for sheds with high ceilings (6–15 m), linear LED fixtures for warehouses and supermarkets, and LED projectors for outdoor areas of plants and parking lots.
| Ceiling Height | Traditional Lamp Type | Traditional Watts | Lumens | LED High Bay (W) | LED Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4–6 m | Fluorescent T8 ×4 | 4×36=144W | ~9.600 lm | 80–100W | ~110 lm/W |
| 6–9 m | HID discharge lamp 250W | 250W | ~18.000 lm | 150–180W | ~110 lm/W |
| 9–12 m | HID discharge lamp 400W | 400W | ~28.000 lm | 200–240W | ~120 lm/W |
| 12–15 m | HID discharge lamp 600W | 600W | ~40.000 lm | 300–360W | ~120 lm/W |
The homeowner renovating their house has a unique opportunity: to design an optimized LED lighting system from the start, avoiding compromises and subsequent adaptations. Ledpoint.it's key tips for those renovating:
Switching to LED lamps is the energy efficiency intervention with the best cost/benefit ratio available today for families, SMEs and large industries. Market data and recent surveys confirm this unequivocally, let's see why.
From major research and market analyses, it has emerged that LEDs are today the most loved solution by lighting designers and installers.
Basic formula for annual energy savings
Annual kWh savings = (P_old – P_LED) × Hours_use/day × 365 ÷ 1.000
Annual € savings = kWh savings × €/kWh tariff
| Replacement | From (W) | To LED (W) | Hours/day | kWh saved/year | € saved/year (0.25€/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60W incand. → 9W LED (×1) | 60 | 9 | 4 | 74.5 kWh | 18.6 € |
| 100W incand. → 13W LED (×1) | 100 | 13 | 4 | 127.4 kWh | 31.9 € |
| 50W halogen GU10 → 6W LED (×4) | 200 | 24 | 6 | 384.7 kWh | 96.2 € |
| 36W T8 tube → 18W LED (×10) | 360 | 180 | 10 | 657 kWh | 164.3 € |
| 250W HID → 150W LED high bay (×20) | 5.000 | 3.000 | 16 | 11.680 kWh | 2.920 € |
ROI (Return on Investment) formula:
Payback period (years) = Total LED investment cost ÷ Total annual savings
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of lamps | 20 T8 tubes 36W |
| Cost of LED tubes (€18/ea.) | 360 € |
| Installation labor cost | 200 € |
| Total investment | 560 € |
| Annual energy savings (10h/d, 0.25€/kWh) | 328 €/year |
| Annual maintenance savings (fewer replacements) | 50 €/year |
| Total annual savings | 378 €/year |
| Investment payback period | ~1.5 years |
| 5-year savings (LED useful life) | 1.890 € – 560 € = 1.330 € |
Choosing an LED lamp does not end with converting lumens and watts: safety and regulatory compliance are fundamental aspects, especially for professional installations, humid environments, use in hotels and public structures. This section summarizes the main Italian and European regulations applicable to LED lighting.
The IP rating (Ingress Protection, according to IEC 60529 / CEI EN 60529 standard) indicates the degree of protection of an electrical device against the penetration of solid and liquid bodies. It consists of two digits:
| IP Class | Solids Protection | Liquids Protection | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Fingers and objects >12 mm | None | Dry interior (living room, bedroom) |
| IP44 | Objects >1 mm | Splashes from any direction | Bathroom (zone 2), kitchen, covered exterior |
| IP54 | Partial dust protection | Splashes from any direction | Outdoors, industrial areas, garages |
| IP65 | Totally dust-tight | Direct water jets | Outdoors, shower stalls, washing areas |
| IP67 | Totally dust-tight | Temporary immersion (30 min, 1 m) | Pools, fountains, underwater lighting |
| IP68 | Totally dust-tight | Prolonged immersion | Permanent underwater lighting |
The CEI 64-8 standard divides the bathroom into three safety zones with specific minimum IP requirements:
Since September 1, 2021, EU Regulation 2019/2020 (ErP Light Sources) and EU Regulation 2019/2015 (on energy labeling) have introduced a new energy label for lamps, with classes from A to G (the old A++/A+ classes have been eliminated to make comparison more transparent). Almost all high-quality LED lamps now fall into classes A or B, while halogens are typically in classes E–G.
We have reached the end of this comprehensive guide on the LED conversion table. We hope we have been able to provide all the answers you were looking for, from specific numerical values to strategic information on how to design effective relamping for hotels, offices, homes or sheds.
The fundamental message we want to leave is this: the watt is no longer the unit of measurement for light. It was in the incandescent era, when all lamps had approximately the same efficiency. Today, with LEDs ranging from 70 to 160 lm/W, thinking in watts is misleading and systematically leads to under- or over-illumination errors.
The conversion table, used correctly, with attention to lumens, CRI and color temperature, is the tool that enables you to make informed, professional and optimized choices for every environment and every need. Whether you are replacing a single bulb in the bathroom or planning the relamping of an entire industrial plant, the logic is always the same: start from the required lumens, choose the LED that generates them with maximum efficiency, and check CRI and color temperature.
That said, Ledpoint.it remains your partner for all phases of this process: from technical consultation to purchase. Our team of technicians is available to help you find the LED product suitable for your application, using the conversion table as a starting point and the experience of thousands of completed installations as a guide.