Luminance Converter

Luminance is how bright a surface looks, for example a screen or a projector image. Displays are rated in nits, which is the same as candela per square metre; cinema projection uses foot-lamberts. A typical laptop is 250 to 400 nits, an HDR TV can reach over 1,000.

How to use Luminance Converter

1. Type the value you want to convert.
2. Choose the unit you have in From and the unit you want in To. The swap button turns the conversion round.
3. Read the answer, with the formula underneath. For example, 1 foot-lambert ≈ 3.426 nits.
4. Open All units to see the value in every unit at once, and copy the one you need.

When it comes in handy

• Comparing display brightness in reviews and spec sheets.
• Cinema and projector setup in foot-lamberts.
• Lighting and signage design.

Frequently asked questions

Is a nit the same as cd/m²?

Yes. "Nit" is the informal name for candela per square metre.

How is luminance different from illuminance?

Illuminance is light arriving at a surface (lux). Luminance is light leaving or reflected from a surface in a direction, which is what your eye sees as brightness.