💡 How Many Light Bulbs Do I Need?

💡 Tip: Check the bulb packaging — it usually lists both lumens and watts.

💡 How Many Light Bulbs Do I Need?

Use this lighting calculator to determine the number of light bulbs needed for any room in your home.

Whether you’re lighting a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, garage, or workspace, the right lighting can transform a space. Our tool helps you answer common questions like:

  • How many light bulbs do I need for my room?

  • How bright should a bathroom be?

  • Is one LED bulb enough for a 12×12 room?

By inputting your room dimensions and bulb specs (lumens and watts), you’ll get an instant answer based on your desired lighting level — from cozy ambiance to task lighting.

🔎 Understanding Room Brightness: Lumens Per Square Foot

When choosing light bulbs, lumens (not watts) determine brightness. The larger the room, the more lumens per square foot you’ll need. Different spaces require different brightness levels depending on their use.

Recommended Brightness by Room Type (Using Lumens/ft²):

  • Accent or Mood Lighting: 5–10 lumens/ft² (perfect for decorative lights or cozy corners)

  • Living Room or Bedroom: 10–15 lumens/ft²

  • Kitchen or Dining Room: 20–30 lumens/ft²

  • Bathroom or Vanity Area: 30–40 lumens/ft²

  • Garage or Workshop: 40–50+ lumens/ft² for detailed tasks

💡 Light Bulb Types and Their Brightness

Here’s a simple guide to typical LED bulbs and how much light (lumens) they provide:

  • 40W Equivalent LED Bulb: ~450 lumens, uses ~5–6 watts

  • 60W Equivalent LED Bulb: ~800 lumens, uses ~8–10 watts

  • 75W Equivalent LED Bulb: ~1100 lumens, uses ~10–12 watts

  • 100W Equivalent LED Bulb: ~1600 lumens, uses ~14–18 watts

Always check the light bulb packaging for exact lumens and wattage. The brightness listed there is more reliable than the “wattage equivalent” alone.

🛠 How to Use the Light Bulb Calculator

  1. Measure your room size (length × width in feet)

  2. Choose the lighting mood you want (cozy, general, or bright)

  3. Enter the lumens and watts from your bulb packaging

  4. Instantly get:

    • Number of bulbs required

    • Total wattage

    • Lighting level (soft, normal, or task-bright)

This tool works for all kinds of bulbs — including LED, CFL, halogen, and incandescent — and helps you match your lighting to your actual space.

📊 Example Room Lighting Plans

Room Size Lighting Mood Lumens Needed Bulb Type Bulbs Needed
10 ft × 10 ft Bedroom Cozy 1500 lumens 800 lm LED 2 bulbs
12 ft × 12 ft Living Room Normal 2880 lumens 800 lm LED 4 bulbs
14 ft × 14 ft Kitchen Bright 5880 lumens 1100 lm LED 6 bulbs
12 ft × 12 ft Garage Work Area 7200 lumens 1600 lm LED 5 bulbs

Lighting isn’t one-size-fits-all. A single light bulb might work for a small hallway, but your kitchen or workspace may need 4 or 5 to achieve the right brightness. Use this simple tool anytime — whether you’re planning a remodel, shopping for bulbs, or comparing lighting options at the store.

Get your lighting right — every time.

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