Luminance Converter
Convert between 19 different units of luminance including candela/square meter, candela/square centimeter, lambert, foot-lambert, and more.
1 candela/square meter = 0.0001 candela/square centimeter
About Luminance
Luminance is a photometric measure of the luminous intensity per unit area of light travelling in a given direction. It describes the amount of light that passes through, is emitted from, or is reflected from a particular area, and falls within a given solid angle.
Common Luminance Units
- Candela per square meter (cd/m²) - The SI unit of luminance
- Nit (nt) - Equivalent to cd/m²
- Stilb (sb) - Equal to 10,000 cd/m²
- Lambert (L) - A non-SI unit of luminance
- Foot-lambert (fL) - Used in the US for display brightness
Common Luminance Values
- Clear blue sky: ~8,000 cd/m²
- Typical computer display: 200-300 cd/m²
- Moon surface: ~2,500 cd/m²
- 60W incandescent bulb: ~120,000 cd/m²
Complete List of Luminance Units
candela/square meter
SI unit of luminance
candela/square centimeter
1 = 10,000 cd/m²
candela/square foot
1 = 10.7639 cd/m²
candela/square inch
1 = 1,550 cd/m²
kilocandela/square meter
1 = 1,000 cd/m²
stilb [sb]
1 = 10,000 cd/m²
lumen/sq. meter/steradian
1 = 1 cd/m²
lumen/sq. cm/steradian
1 = 10,000 cd/m²
lumen/square foot/steradian
1 = 10.7639 cd/m²
watt/sq. cm/steradian (at 555 nm)
1 = 6,830,000 cd/m²
nit [nt]
1 = 1 cd/m²
millinit [mnt]
1 = 0.001 cd/m²
lambert [L]
1 = 3,183.1 cd/m²
millilambert [mL]
1 = 3.1831 cd/m²
foot-lambert [fL]
1 = 3.4263 cd/m²
apostilb
1 = 0.3183 cd/m²
blondel
1 = 0.3183 cd/m²
bril
1 = 3.1831×10⁻⁸ cd/m²
skot
1 = 0.0003183 cd/m²