What the Accent Lighting Planner actually calculates
Target accent lux is ambient lux times contrast. Feature area times that target gives lumens, divided by fixture output and rounded up for count. It uses the full target rather than subtracting existing ambient light, and it assumes output reaches the feature without modeling beam coverage or losses. Sensitive artwork needs separate exposure guidance.
The calculation path
Target accent lux is ambient lux multiplied by contrast; fixture count follows required lumens.
Inputs that can change the answer
- Feature width: Enter feature width in m.
- Feature height: Enter feature height in m.
- Ambient level: Enter ambient level in lux.
- Accent contrast: Enter accent contrast in ×.
- Lumens per accent light: Enter lumens per accent light in lm.
Checks that stay outside the formula
Aim and dim accent lights after furniture and art are in their final positions.
A practical order for entering the data
- Measure the rectangular artwork or feature width and height.
- Enter ambient lux and the desired accent-to-ambient contrast multiplier.
- Enter lumens per accent fixture, then check the proposed count against beam spread, aiming distance, and the feature's light sensitivity.
Project walkthrough: Build a layered kitchen lighting plan around tasks
Project walkthrough: Plan bathroom lighting without treating a lumen figure as approval
Engine check using the prefilled sample
Lighting example: feature width = 2 m, feature height = 1.5 m, ambient level = 150 lux, accent contrast = 3 × and lumens per accent light = 500 lm. Treat these as demonstration room and fixture values, then recalculate with the dimensions and rated output of the fittings you are considering.
Results for these inputs
- Feature area
- 3.00 m²
- Accent target
- 450 lux
- Accent lumens
- 1,350 lm
- Fixtures
- 3 lights