How Many Lumens Do You Need for Outdoor Lights?

Lumens (lm) measure the level of brightness a light emits. The higher the lumens on your outdoor lighting fixtures, the higher the light output from your fixtures.

Understanding outdoor light lumen levels is important because it helps you choose the right light for your space. This enesure that your space has the desired brightness and energy efficiency. Typically, the product packaging or retail page lists the lumen levels and several other specs for the lights.

The brightness of from light to light and is not the same across different types of light. A standard incandescent 100 watt (W) light bulb produces around 1600 lumens of light but LEDs offer equivalent lighting at significantly lower wattages (15-20W). A 15W LED bulb could easily supply 1600 lumens of brightness.

Some general rule of thumbs when replacing your outdoor light bulbs:

• Replace a 40W bulb with an 6W bulb that gives you about 450 lumens
• Replace a 60W bulb with an 9W led bulb that gives you about 800 lumens
• Replace a 75W bulb with an 11W led light bulb that gives you about 1100 lumens

Our selection of fixtures provides excellent outdoor light lumens, designed to match various lighting ideas, needs and environments. These lights share common features such as LED technology and various finishes but differ in their lumen values.

For example, flood lights generally have higher lumen outputs compared to bollard lights because their use. Flood lights light wide areas such as sports field and courtyards, whereas we use bollard lights in pathway and landscape lighting. Think about it, the same brightness of a football field is blinding on a walkway.

Below is a list of suggested lumen output for the main types of outdoor lights in residential settings:

• Wall Sconces: Sconces outside the garage and pointed towards the driveway are best between 400 and 700 lumens. This is enough brightness to add safety and security.
• Hardscape lights: Hardscape lights are ideal between 50-185 lm for your outdoor spaces. These outdoor wall lights provide light without overdoing brightness, making them great options for users with predetermined aesthetics.
• Security Lights: Motion sensor lights with 300-700+ lumens provide excellent lighting, enhancing safety and security by activating after detecting motion.
• Patio Lights: 600-700lm create bright and cozy lighting for your small outdoor areas. For larger, patios, aiming for 1200-1600 lumens can efficiently light your space.
• Bollard Lights: Bollards between 120 and 700 lumens covers most residential walkways perfectly. Anything over 700 lumens is bright enough for most commercial and retail lots.
• Pathway lights: Path lights with 100-200 lumens are perfect for lighting walkways and paths, ensuring safety without too much glare.
• Landscape lights with 50-300 lumens help highlight landscape designs with a balance of visibility and ambiance.
• String Lights: String lights with 40 lumens may meet your needs for any outdoor lighting, creating soft and pleasant ambiance. Overhead lights with 80-120 lumens create similar light output, offering slightly higher brightness.
• Flood lights: Flood lights with 700-1300 lumens are designed for wide area lighting providing strong light for outdoor living spaces.
• Spotlights and Accent Lights: Landscape spotlights with 120 lumens offer focused lighting for highlighting specific landscape features.
• Step Lights: Step lights with 12-100 lumens provide low-level lighting for steps to prevent tripping hazards without causing glare leading to front doors.
• Pool Lights: Pond/pool lights with 200-400 lumens offer underwater lighting to enhance visibility and aesthetics.