Can Light Calculator
Determine how many recessed lights you need and the optimal spacing for even illumination.
How to Use
- Enter your room’s length and width (in feet).
- Input the ceiling height.
- Set the desired brightness (foot‑candles) based on room type.
- Enter the lumen output of your chosen light fixture.
- Click “Calculate” to see the number of lights needed and approximate spacing.
Example
Scenario: A 15 ft x 12 ft living room with 9 ft ceilings. You want 30 foot‑candles using 800‑lumen LED cans.
Calculation: Area = 180 sq ft → total lumens needed = 180 × 30 = 5400 lm → lights = ceil(5400/800) = 7. Spacing ≈ √(180/7) ≈ 5 ft between lights.
Why Use a Can Light Calculator?
Proper recessed lighting layout avoids dark spots and glare. This calculator uses the industry‑standard lumen method to determine the number of lights required, then estimates even spacing. It works for any room – living room, kitchen, bedroom, or office.
Simply adjust the foot‑candle target for your space: kitchens need brighter light (30-50 fc), while bedrooms are softer (10-20 fc). The calculator does the math instantly.