Recommended Office Light Levels

Good lighting in offices does more than help people see clearly. It shapes comfort, productivity, and how welcoming a space feels. A well-lit office can boost concentration, reduce fatigue, and make teams feel more alert throughout the day. It can also improve tenant satisfaction and help building owners control energy use without compromising quality.

Understanding Light Levels

“Light level” refers to the illuminance on a surface, measured in foot-candles (fc) in the U.S. and lux internationally. One foot-candle equals 10.76 lux.

Most office environments fall between 30 and 50 foot-candles (300 to 500 lux) at the workplane, which is the surface where people perform tasks such as reading or typing. Too little light can cause strain and lower focus, while excessive brightness wastes energy and increases glare.

Typical Office Zones and Challenges

Each area in an office has unique lighting needs based on how it is used:

• Open Work Areas: Uneven brightness, dark partitions, or overly bright fixtures can make spaces feel inconsistent.
• Private Offices: Require more control of brightness and glare, especially near windows and computer screens.
• Conference Rooms: Need flexible light levels for meetings, video calls, and presentations.
• Corridors and Stairwells: Prioritize visibility and safety while avoiding excessive illumination.
• Breakrooms, Copy Rooms, and Restrooms: Require comfortable, even light that supports cleanliness and visual comfort.

Benefits of Meeting Proper Light Levels

When lighting is properly designed, it benefits everyone involved in the project. Contractors can complete installations faster with fewer adjustments and fewer callbacks. Property managers receive fewer complaints because consistent lighting eliminates dark spots and glare. Building owners gain from lower utility costs, fewer maintenance cycles, and happier tenants who value a professional, comfortable workspace.

The right light levels also help fixtures perform at their best. LEDs that run at proper output levels last longer and maintain color quality over time. Combining well-planned lighting layouts with smart controls such as dimmers and occupancy sensors can further reduce energy use while keeping the space bright and productive.

Recommended Office Light Levels

Below are typical illuminance targets for office spaces. These values align with guidance from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Lighting Handbook, 10th Edition, and IECC 2021 Lighting Power Density (LPD) tables.

Recommended light levels summarized from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Lighting Handbook, 10th Edition, and IECC 2021 Lighting Power Density tables.

Measuring and Verifying Light Levels

Testing light levels confirms that the design works as intended. The process is simple with a light meter and a consistent method.

1. Use a calibrated light meter with at least ±2% accuracy.
2. Turn on the lighting system and allow it to stabilize for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Disable automatic dimming or daylight sensors during testing.
4. Measure at workplane height, typically 30 inches above the floor.
5. Create a grid, such as 2 feet by 2 feet, and take readings across the area.
6. Record average, minimum, and maximum values.
7. Calculate uniformity using minimum divided by average. General office target: 0.6 or higher. Corridor target: 0.5 or higher.

Reaching Target Light Levels with Fixture Design

Most office areas require about 30 to 50 foot-candles, and there are two main strategies to achieve that level.

1. Uniform Grid Approach

Using the same fixture type across the entire space provides consistency and minimizes maintenance costs. This approach works best in large open offices where layout simplicity and predictable results are priorities.

Recommended fixture types:

• 2x2 LED Flat Panels
• 2x4 LED Troffers

2. Layered Lighting Approach

Combining fixture types adds visual depth and can make spaces feel more dynamic. A mix of recessed panels, downlights, and wall-mounted accent lights helps balance task and ambient lighting while creating visual interest.

Recommended combinations:

• Recessed LED Panels for general illumination
• Tunable White Recessed Fixtures for conference or private rooms where lighting needs change
• Wall-Mounted Linear Fixtures to highlight architectural features or improve vertical brightness

Each approach has value. Consistency lowers cost and simplifies future replacements. Layering adds flexibility and supports more advanced lighting design goals.

Design Tips for Office Lighting

• Choose a 3500K to 4000K color temperature for balanced brightness and comfort.
• Integrate dimming and occupancy sensors where daylight is available to save energy.
• Review LM-79 and LM-80 data for quality assurance and accurate performance.
• Account for lumen depreciation (L70) in the design phase so light levels remain within range over time.

Explore Office Lighting Solutions

Modern office lighting blends function and design. Whether you prefer a consistent fixture grid for simplicity or a layered approach for visual appeal, RelightDepot has the products and expertise to help you plan efficiently.

Explore our complete Indoor Lighting Collection or browse LED Troffers to find the best fit for your next project.