How Many Can Lights Do I Need Per Square Foot?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Formula for an approximate result, divide the area value by 2.788e+7

How many can lights for a 12×12 room?

The typical rule-of-thumb is 24′′ from each wall, and then 3-5 feet between cans. So in a 12′ room you’d probably want

two rows of lights

. Considering it is a bedroom and you don’t need it as bright as a kitchen, you can probably get away with 2 rows of 4 lights for a total of 8.

How many recessed lights do you need per square foot?

A common rule of thumb is that you use

one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space

. Doing so provides even, overall illumination. This is an important rule to keep in mind when you are going to rely exclusively on recessed ceiling lights to illuminate your kitchen.

How do you calculate how many recessed lights are needed?

Formula:

total sq. footage x 1.5 = total wattage needed

. Total wattage divided by 60 watts (or whichever wattage you need) = total amount of recessed can lights. Example: 240 square foot room x 1.5 = 360 divided by 60 (the bulb wattage I’d like to use) = 6 recessed lights needed.

How many can lights in a 20×20 room?

If you have a center light fixture, you should be able to use 4 inch line voltage cans or low voltage for supplemental lighting. I would go with

at least 8 three inch cans for a

20 foot room.

Can you have too many recessed lights?

It often seems that installing recessed lights is a cure all, but they cannot properly wash light upon walls and all dark corners, which would bounce reflective light into the room. In fact, using too many recessed light

may leave areas of your room dark

and may even cost you more on your electric bill.

How much area does a 6-inch recessed light cover?

If a 6-inch light has a spacing criteria of 1.5 and the ceiling height is 8 feet, the maximum space between

each light should be 12 feet

. This formula is critical for lighting a space because if the lights are too far apart, they will look like spotlights with big shadows between each other.

How far apart should 4 inch recessed lights be?

Where should recessed lights be placed in living room? The common rule is that 4-inch fixtures should generally be placed

at least 4 feet apart

and 6-inch fixtures about 6 feet apart.

How many LED recessed lights per circuit?

The limit is

12

, unless you are installing devices that have a known load. In the case of a LED light which is hardwired in, or a smoke alarm, you can put as many of these devices on the circuit providing you don’t exceed the 80% load.

What is the best spacing for recessed lighting?

A good general rule for placement is to

divide the height of the ceiling by two

. The result is the amount of space to leave between each light. For example, recessed lighting spacing for an 8-foot-high ceiling would be 4 feet between each light. This will provide good spacing for general room lighting.

How many recessed lights can you put on one switch?

The main limitation on the number of recessed lights that a single switch can control is the rating of the circuit breaker controlling the circuit. Each incandescent or halogen 60-watt bulb draws around 1/2 amp, and therefore, standard lighting with a 15amp breaker can manage

30 lights

.

How much electricity do recessed lights use?

The amount of electricity (kWh) consumed by recessed lighting is

up to 90 kWh per day

which is 2,700 kWh per month. This is in reference to recessed lighting with fluorescent lightbulbs. Typical electrical costs differ depending on where you live. On average, Americans use 877 kWh per month.

How many watts for can lights?

Most recessed fixtures are rated for

75 or 100-watt bulbs

, but some are rated for bulbs up to 150 watts.

How do you calculate lighting for an area?

Lighting Calculation – Summary


Multiply the area in square meters by the lux

, or the area in square feet by the footcandles. work out how many bulbs you need. Divide the number of lumens by the number of lumens delivered by each bulb.

Can light spacing in bedroom?

To determine how far apart to space your recessed lights,

divide the height of the ceiling by two

. If a room has an 8 foot ceiling, you should space your recessed lights approximately 4 feet apart. If the ceiling is 10 feet, you’ll want to put about 5 feet of space in between each fixture.

How many lights are needed in a room calculator?

Room Foot Candles Needed
Bedroom


10-20

Hallway


5-10

Bathroom


70-80
David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.