Foot Candle Converter
Convert Foot Candle to Lux and more • 37 conversions
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Unit Explanations
Foot Candlefc
Source UnitThe foot candle (fc) is a unit of illuminance that quantifies how much light is received on a surface. Specifically, it represents the illuminance produced by a uniform source of light of one lumen spread over an area of one square foot. It is commonly used in various fields such as photography, architecture, and horticulture to assess lighting conditions. To put it simply, if you have a light source emitting one lumen and it illuminates a surface area of one square foot, that surface is receiving an illuminance of one foot candle. This measurement helps professionals ensure that spaces are adequately lit for their intended purposes.
Current Use
Foot candles are widely used in various industries, including architecture, photography, film, and horticulture, to ensure that environments are adequately illuminated for their specific purposes. In architecture, foot candles guide lighting design, helping architects and designers create spaces that are visually appealing and functional. In photography, understanding foot candle levels allows photographers to make informed decisions about exposure settings. Horticulturists use foot candles to measure light intensity for plant growth, ensuring that crops receive optimal lighting conditions for photosynthesis. Additionally, regulatory agencies may specify foot candle requirements for workplace safety, particularly in environments where visibility is critical, such as factories and warehouses. Countries like the United States and Canada predominantly use foot candles, while other regions may prefer lux, the metric equivalent.
Fun Fact
The foot candle is sometimes referred to as a 'standard candle' due to its historical basis.
Luxlx
Target UnitThe lux (symbol: lx) is the SI unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, defined as one lumen per square meter. This unit quantifies the amount of visible light that illuminates a surface area, providing an essential measure for lighting design and assessment. The lux is integral to various fields, including photography, cinematography, and interior design, as it helps determine the adequacy of lighting in spaces. A well-lit environment typically requires illuminance levels ranging from 100 to 1000 lux, depending on the activity being performed. Thus, the lux not only conveys the intensity of light but also directly correlates with human visual comfort and productivity.
Current Use
The lux is widely used in various industries to ensure that lighting conditions meet specific standards for safety, comfort, and productivity. In architectural lighting design, lux levels are meticulously calculated to optimize illumination in spaces such as offices, schools, and hospitals. The film and photography industries rely on lux measurements to ensure proper lighting conditions for shoots, while horticulture utilizes lux for assessing light requirements for plant growth. In the automotive industry, lux is crucial for assessing headlight brightness and visibility. Countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, and Japan, apply lux standards in building codes and regulations to ensure adequate lighting in public and private spaces. Regulatory bodies often specify minimum lux levels for various environments, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
Fun Fact
The human eye can perceive light levels ranging from about 0.1 lux (moonlight) to over 100,000 lux (bright sunlight).
Convert Foot-Candle to Lux (fc to lx)
Convert Foot-Candles (fc) to Lux (lx). If a US plant care guide suggests '100 foot-candles' of light for a fern, converting to Lux helps you check if your metric light meter reading is sufficient.
Multiply foot-candles by approx 10.76. For example, 100 fc ≈ 1076 lx.
Foot-Candle (fc)
Definition
Illuminance of a one-candela source at one foot.
Origins & History
Derived from the standard candle.
Lux (lx)
Definition
SI unit.
Origins & History
Standard scientific unit.
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📐Conversion Formula
= × 1.00000How to Convert
To convert to , multiply the value by 1.00000. This conversion factor represents the ratio between these two units.
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💡 Pro Tip: For the reverse conversion ( → ), divide by the conversion factor instead of multiplying.
Foot Candle
illumination • Non-SI
Definition
The foot candle (fc) is a unit of illuminance that quantifies how much light is received on a surface. Specifically, it represents the illuminance produced by a uniform source of light of one lumen spread over an area of one square foot. It is commonly used in various fields such as photography, architecture, and horticulture to assess lighting conditions. To put it simply, if you have a light source emitting one lumen and it illuminates a surface area of one square foot, that surface is receiving an illuminance of one foot candle. This measurement helps professionals ensure that spaces are adequately lit for their intended purposes.
History & Origin
The foot candle's concept originated from the need to quantify light intensity and its effects on visibility. Early units of light measurement were not standardized, leading to confusion in scientific and practical applications. The standardization of the foot candle occurred in the early 20th century, driven by advancements in electrical lighting and the growing importance of proper illumination in workplaces and homes. The foot candle became a crucial metric for ensuring safety and efficiency in various environments, marking a significant step forward in the field of photometry.
Etymology: The term 'foot candle' derives from the combination of 'foot,' a unit of length, and 'candle,' referring to the light produced by a standard candle. This nomenclature reflects the historical methods of measuring light output.
Current Use
Foot candles are widely used in various industries, including architecture, photography, film, and horticulture, to ensure that environments are adequately illuminated for their specific purposes. In architecture, foot candles guide lighting design, helping architects and designers create spaces that are visually appealing and functional. In photography, understanding foot candle levels allows photographers to make informed decisions about exposure settings. Horticulturists use foot candles to measure light intensity for plant growth, ensuring that crops receive optimal lighting conditions for photosynthesis. Additionally, regulatory agencies may specify foot candle requirements for workplace safety, particularly in environments where visibility is critical, such as factories and warehouses. Countries like the United States and Canada predominantly use foot candles, while other regions may prefer lux, the metric equivalent.
💡 Fun Facts
- •The foot candle is sometimes referred to as a 'standard candle' due to its historical basis.
- •Foot candles can vary widely based on the time of day and weather conditions.
- •The foot candle is still used in many industries despite the rise of the metric system, particularly in the U.S.
📏 Real-World Examples
🔗 Related Units
Lux
illumination • SI Unit
Definition
The lux (symbol: lx) is the SI unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, defined as one lumen per square meter. This unit quantifies the amount of visible light that illuminates a surface area, providing an essential measure for lighting design and assessment. The lux is integral to various fields, including photography, cinematography, and interior design, as it helps determine the adequacy of lighting in spaces. A well-lit environment typically requires illuminance levels ranging from 100 to 1000 lux, depending on the activity being performed. Thus, the lux not only conveys the intensity of light but also directly correlates with human visual comfort and productivity.
History & Origin
The concept of measuring light dates back to ancient civilizations, but the formal introduction of the lux occurred in the 20th century. The unit was officially defined in 1948 during the International Conference on Weights and Measures in Paris, where it was adopted as part of the International System of Units (SI). Before the lux, illuminance was often measured using different units like foot-candles, which were less standardized. The establishment of the lux aimed to create a uniform measurement standard for scientific and practical applications in lighting.
Etymology: The term 'lux' comes from the Latin word for 'light'.
Current Use
The lux is widely used in various industries to ensure that lighting conditions meet specific standards for safety, comfort, and productivity. In architectural lighting design, lux levels are meticulously calculated to optimize illumination in spaces such as offices, schools, and hospitals. The film and photography industries rely on lux measurements to ensure proper lighting conditions for shoots, while horticulture utilizes lux for assessing light requirements for plant growth. In the automotive industry, lux is crucial for assessing headlight brightness and visibility. Countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, and Japan, apply lux standards in building codes and regulations to ensure adequate lighting in public and private spaces. Regulatory bodies often specify minimum lux levels for various environments, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
💡 Fun Facts
- •The human eye can perceive light levels ranging from about 0.1 lux (moonlight) to over 100,000 lux (bright sunlight).
- •The term 'foot-candle', an older unit of illuminance, is equivalent to approximately 10.764 lux.
- •In photography, achieving the right lux levels can significantly impact the quality of images captured.
📏 Real-World Examples
🔗 Related Units
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