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Candela Square Meter Converter

Convert Candela Square Meter to Foot Lambert and more • 19 conversions

Result

0

1 0
Conversion Formula
1 = ---
Quick Reference
1 = 1
10 = 10
50 = 50
100 = 100
500 = 500
1000 = 1000

Unit Explanations

Candela per Square Metercd/m²

Source Unit

The candela per square meter (cd/m²), commonly referred to as 'nits', is a derived unit of luminance in the International System of Units (SI). It quantifies the luminous intensity emitted by a surface in a given direction per unit area. Specifically, it defines how much light is emitted from a surface that has a luminous intensity of one candela and covers an area of one square meter. This unit is crucial in fields such as photography, display technology, and lighting design, as it allows for the assessment of brightness and visual comfort. The concept of luminance is fundamental in understanding how light interacts with surfaces and affects human perception. It plays a vital role in optimizing lighting conditions and evaluating the performance of displays and lighting fixtures in various environments.

L = I / A

Current Use

The candela per square meter is widely used across various industries, including electronics, automotive, architecture, and photography. In the electronics industry, it is crucial for evaluating display brightness in televisions, computer monitors, and smartphones, influencing consumer choices and design standards. In the automotive sector, luminance standards ensure that dashboard displays and exterior lights meet safety regulations. Architectural lighting design relies on cd/m² to create visually appealing environments while ensuring adequate illumination levels. In photography, achieving the correct luminance is essential for proper exposure and image quality. Countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan have adopted this unit in their standards for light measurement, contributing to a global understanding of luminance.

Fun Fact

The term 'nit' is derived from the Latin word 'nitere', meaning 'to shine'.

Foot LambertfL

Target Unit

The foot lambert (fL) is a unit of luminance that quantifies the intensity of light emitted or reflected from a surface in a specific direction. One foot lambert is defined as the luminance of a surface that emits or reflects light at a rate of one lumen per square foot, viewed from a perpendicular angle. This unit is particularly significant in fields such as cinematography, display technology, and lighting design, where understanding and controlling light levels is critical. The foot lambert is often used to evaluate the brightness of screens and surfaces, enabling professionals to ensure optimal visibility and comfort in various environments. It provides a practical measure for assessing light levels relative to human perception.

1 fL = 1 lumen/ft²

Current Use

The foot lambert is primarily used in various industries that involve visual display and lighting design. In the film and television industry, it serves as a critical measurement for controlling the brightness of screens and projectors, ensuring that images are displayed with the appropriate level of luminance for audience comfort and clarity. In architectural lighting design, designers utilize foot lamberts to assess the brightness of surfaces within spaces, aiding in the creation of visually appealing environments. Additionally, the foot lambert remains relevant in the automotive industry for evaluating the brightness of dashboard displays and headlights, contributing to safety and usability. Countries such as the United States, where the imperial system is still in use, frequently utilize foot lamberts in both professional and consumer contexts. Furthermore, the foot lambert is sometimes referenced in educational settings, particularly in courses related to optics and lighting.

Fun Fact

The foot lambert is often used in conjunction with other metrics like the nit, which is another measure of luminance.

Decimals:
Scientific:OFF

Result

0

1
0
Conversion Formula
1 = ...
1→1
10→10
100→100
1000→1000

📐Conversion Formula

= × 1.00000

How to Convert

To convert to , multiply the value by 1.00000. This conversion factor represents the ratio between these two units.

Quick Examples

1
=
1.000
10
=
10.00
100
=
100.0

💡 Pro Tip: For the reverse conversion (), divide by the conversion factor instead of multiplying.

cd/m²

Candela per Square Meter

luminanceNon-SI

Definition

The candela per square meter (cd/m²), commonly referred to as 'nits', is a derived unit of luminance in the International System of Units (SI). It quantifies the luminous intensity emitted by a surface in a given direction per unit area. Specifically, it defines how much light is emitted from a surface that has a luminous intensity of one candela and covers an area of one square meter. This unit is crucial in fields such as photography, display technology, and lighting design, as it allows for the assessment of brightness and visual comfort. The concept of luminance is fundamental in understanding how light interacts with surfaces and affects human perception. It plays a vital role in optimizing lighting conditions and evaluating the performance of displays and lighting fixtures in various environments.

History & Origin

The candela per square meter originated from the need to measure light's visual impact on surfaces. In the early 20th century, the understanding of light properties and their effects on human vision was still developing. The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) conducted extensive research to define standards for various light measurements. The candela, established as the SI base unit of luminous intensity in 1979, became integral to this system. The derivation of luminance from the candela marked a significant step in quantifying light's interaction with surfaces, thereby enhancing the precision of lighting design and evaluation.

Etymology: The term 'candela' is derived from the Latin word for 'candle', reflecting the historical use of candles as a standard light source.

1979: The candela was defined as the...1993: The candela per square meter w...

Current Use

The candela per square meter is widely used across various industries, including electronics, automotive, architecture, and photography. In the electronics industry, it is crucial for evaluating display brightness in televisions, computer monitors, and smartphones, influencing consumer choices and design standards. In the automotive sector, luminance standards ensure that dashboard displays and exterior lights meet safety regulations. Architectural lighting design relies on cd/m² to create visually appealing environments while ensuring adequate illumination levels. In photography, achieving the correct luminance is essential for proper exposure and image quality. Countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan have adopted this unit in their standards for light measurement, contributing to a global understanding of luminance.

ElectronicsAutomotiveArchitecturePhotography

💡 Fun Facts

  • The term 'nit' is derived from the Latin word 'nitere', meaning 'to shine'.
  • A common household candle emits approximately 1 candela of light intensity.
  • In 2020, the global market for display luminance testing equipment was estimated to exceed $1 billion.

📏 Real-World Examples

500 cd/m²
Brightness of a smartphone screen
300 cd/m²
Office lighting recommendation
600 cd/m²
TV display brightness
400 cd/m²
Automotive dashboard display
1000 cd/m²
Outdoor advertising display
200 cd/m²
Photography lighting setup

🔗 Related Units

Candela (Base unit of luminous intensity from which cd/m² is derived.)Lumen (Measures the total quantity of visible light emitted; related to cd/m² by area.)Lux (Measures illuminance; 1 lux = 1 cd/m² when over a 1 square meter area.)Steradian (Unit of solid angle; helps define luminous intensity in three-dimensional space.)Foot-Candle (A non-SI unit of illuminance; related to cd/m² through conversion factors.)Nits (Common name for cd/m², especially in display technology.)
fL

Foot Lambert

luminanceNon-SI

Definition

The foot lambert (fL) is a unit of luminance that quantifies the intensity of light emitted or reflected from a surface in a specific direction. One foot lambert is defined as the luminance of a surface that emits or reflects light at a rate of one lumen per square foot, viewed from a perpendicular angle. This unit is particularly significant in fields such as cinematography, display technology, and lighting design, where understanding and controlling light levels is critical. The foot lambert is often used to evaluate the brightness of screens and surfaces, enabling professionals to ensure optimal visibility and comfort in various environments. It provides a practical measure for assessing light levels relative to human perception.

History & Origin

The concept of luminance and the unit foot lambert emerged from the need for standardized measurements of light intensity in various applications, particularly in the film and photography industries. The unit is named after the American inventor and physicist, Jonas Foot Lambert, who contributed significantly to the understanding of light and its effects on visual perception during the mid-20th century. During this period, the standardization of measurement units became crucial in improving communication and consistency within the scientific and technical communities. The foot lambert specifically arose as a practical unit for measuring brightness in lighting setups and display technologies, where accurate assessment of light levels is essential for effective visual representation.

Etymology: The term 'lambert' honors the contributions of Johann Heinrich Lambert, an 18th-century mathematician and physicist who studied light and optics extensively. The 'foot' in foot lambert refers to the imperial measurement system, specifically one foot representing the area over which the light is measured.

1959: Standardization of the foot la...

Current Use

The foot lambert is primarily used in various industries that involve visual display and lighting design. In the film and television industry, it serves as a critical measurement for controlling the brightness of screens and projectors, ensuring that images are displayed with the appropriate level of luminance for audience comfort and clarity. In architectural lighting design, designers utilize foot lamberts to assess the brightness of surfaces within spaces, aiding in the creation of visually appealing environments. Additionally, the foot lambert remains relevant in the automotive industry for evaluating the brightness of dashboard displays and headlights, contributing to safety and usability. Countries such as the United States, where the imperial system is still in use, frequently utilize foot lamberts in both professional and consumer contexts. Furthermore, the foot lambert is sometimes referenced in educational settings, particularly in courses related to optics and lighting.

Film and TelevisionLighting DesignAutomotiveArchitecture

💡 Fun Facts

  • The foot lambert is often used in conjunction with other metrics like the nit, which is another measure of luminance.
  • Despite the prevalence of the metric system globally, the foot lambert remains widely used in the United States due to its imperial origins.
  • The standard brightness for well-lit office spaces is often targeted at around 50 foot lamberts to optimize productivity.

📏 Real-World Examples

16 fL
Brightness of a standard cinema screen
30 fL
Luminance of a television display in a living room
50 fL
Workplace lighting levels for computer screens
10 fL
Brightness of dashboard displays in vehicles
5 fL
Luminance of safety signs in low light
100 fL
Brightness level for outdoor advertising screens

🔗 Related Units

Nit (1 foot lambert = 3.426 nits)Candela (Luminance can also be expressed as candelas per square meter.)Foot-Candle (Foot-candles measure illuminance, while foot lamberts measure luminance.)Lux (1 foot candle = 10.764 lux, a unit of illuminance.)Lumen (Luminance involves the distribution of lumens over an area.)Steradian (Luminance takes solid angle (steradians) into account.)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert to ?

To convert to , multiply your value by 1. For example, 10 equals 10 .

What is the formula for to conversion?

The formula is: = × 1. This conversion factor is based on international standards.

Is this to converter accurate?

Yes! MetricConv uses internationally standardized conversion factors from organizations like NIST and ISO. Our calculations support up to 15 decimal places of precision, making it suitable for scientific, engineering, and everyday calculations.

Can I convert back to ?

Absolutely! You can use the swap button (⇄) in the converter above to reverse the conversion direction, or visit our to converter.

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