Workspace Lux · Guides
300 Lux vs 500 Lux for Office Work
Both levels appear in office lighting guidelines — here is how to choose between them for your space.
What 300 lux and 500 lux actually mean
Lux measures light falling on a surface. 300 lux is moderate brightness — enough for casual tasks and many screen-only workflows. 500 lux is the widely cited target for general office work including reading and writing on paper. The difference is not subtle: 500 lux requires about 67% more lumens than 300 lux for the same room area.
When 300 lux is enough
- Primarily computer-based work with well-calibrated monitors
- Meeting rooms focused on displays and conversation
- Reception and lounge areas with lower task demand
- Spaces where softer ambient light is preferred for aesthetics
- Home offices used mainly in the evening with task lamps supplementing ambient light
At 300 lux, a 20 m² office needs 6,000 lumens. Energy use and glare risk are lower, but reading fine print or marked-up documents may feel dim without a desk lamp.
When 500 lux is the better default
- Open-plan desks with mixed paper and screen work
- Corporate offices following mainstream IES-style recommendations
- Conference rooms with printed agendas and whiteboards
- Spaces where you want a single lighting design without per-desk task lights
At 500 lux, the same 20 m² office needs 10,000 lumens — about four 2,500-lumen fixtures or three larger panels, depending on product choice and layout.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | 300 lux | 500 lux |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use (same area) | Lower | Higher (~67% more lumens) |
| Paper / document work | May need task lighting | Usually comfortable |
| Screen glare risk | Lower if well designed | Higher if fixtures misaligned |
| Common standards reference | Circulation, some meetings | General office work |
| 20 m² lumens needed | 6,000 lm | 10,000 lm |
Can you mix levels in one office?
Yes — zone lighting is common. Open desks might target 500 lux while break areas and corridors use 200–300 lux. The key is smooth transitions so people do not move from very bright to very dim areas abruptly. Dimmable systems and occupancy sensors help tune levels throughout the day.
How to decide for your project
- List primary tasks in each zone (screen, paper, meeting, reception).
- Pick 300 lux for low-demand zones, 500 lux for main work areas.
- Calculate lumens with our Lux to Lumens Calculator.
- Add desk task lighting if ambient is 300 lux but detailed work occurs at desks.
See also: Office Lighting Standards for full lux and color temperature tables.
Related Tools
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