Convert luminance values between different units easily
Result: -
Brightness affects everything we see and how we interact with the digital and physical world. Whether you’re calibrating display screens, creating cinema lighting, designing vehicle dashboards, or working in advanced optics — luminance determines how bright a surface appears to the human eye.
Unlike illuminance (Lux), which measures light falling on a surface, luminance measures light emitted or reflected by a surface that reaches the viewer.
The Luminance Unit Converter by AlllinTools takes the complexity out of brightness calculations by converting between all major luminance units like:
Candela per square meter (cd/m²) → Most common for screens
Nit (nt) → Equivalent to cd/m², used in display ratings
Foot-lambert (fL) → Film projection & cinema industry
Apostilb (asb) → Scientific and geophysical studies
Candela per square foot (cd/ft²) → Legacy & US systems
See brightness clearly — measure it accurately.
A small change in luminance can significantly affect:
✔ Visual comfort
✔ Display readability in sunlight
✔ Automotive & aviation safety
✔ Media production & color grading
✔ Product design and ergonomics
✔ Energy efficiency and sustainability
Wrong calculations may lead to:
❌ Eye strain & headaches
❌ Incorrect HDR calibration
❌ Unsafe dashboard visibility
❌ Poor cinema or TV brightness mapping
❌ Reduced accessibility for low-vision users
Brightness must be engineered — not guessed.
| Unit | Symbol | Where It’s Used |
|---|---|---|
| Candela per square meter | cd/m² | Standard for monitors, TVs, laptops, smartphones |
| Nit | nt | Same as cd/m² — consumer electronics |
| Foot-lambert | fL | Cinema screens and projectors |
| Apostilb | asb | Scientific/specialized atmospheric optics |
| Candela per square foot | cd/ft² | Legacy US display testing |
📌 Nit to Candela per square meter
1 nit = 1 cd/m²
📌 Foot-lambert to Candela per square meter
1 fL ≈ 3.426 cd/m²
📌 Apostilb
1 asb = 0.3183099 cd/m²
Example Conversion:
Professional monitor brightness: 350 cd/m²
→ ≈ 102.2 fL (for theater-level calibration)
AlllinTools handles these automatically with advanced precision.
| Device / Environment | Brightness Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High-end smartphones | 600–2000 cd/m² | Outdoor visibility essential |
| Laptops | 250–500 cd/m² | Office lighting comfort |
| HDR TVs | 700–3000 cd/m² | Peak highlights in streaming content |
| Movie theater screen | 48–100 fL | Bright enough without glare |
| Full sunlight reflections | 10,000+ cd/m² | Requires advanced anti-glare |
| Industry | Ideal Brightness | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Displays | 1000+ cd/m² | Accurate diagnostics |
| Automotive Displays | 800–1500 cd/m² | Sunlight readability |
| Graphic Design | 300–500 cd/m² | Color precision |
| Public Information Displays | 1000–4000 cd/m² | Outdoor visibility |
| Gaming Monitors | 400–1000+ cd/m² | HDR visual impact |
📱 Smartphone & Tablet Manufacturing — Outdoor usability improvement
🖥️ Display Calibration & Color Grading — Professional media accuracy
🎮 Gaming & VR — Higher nit values minimize screen-door effect
🛩 Cockpit & Automotive Dashboard Design — Safety-critical visibility
📸 Photography & Cinematography — Accurate exposure consistency
🌆 Public Safety Signage — Visibility under all conditions
Converts instantly between all major luminance units
Mobile-friendly — perfect for field calibration
Zero login — 100% free forever
Supports global measurement standards
High precision for scientific & commercial use
Ideal for product R&D and quality assurance
Technology deserves brightness done right.
🔐 Nothing stored
🛑 No user-tracking
🚫 No sensors or data collection
✔ Ideal for confidential industry workflows
Professional tools should protect professionals.
Consider ambient lighting when designing displays
Higher brightness reduces battery life — find balance
Match luminance to human contrast sensitivity
Avoid excessive glare — comfort first
HDR requires proper peak luminance and dark detail
Better brightness → better user happiness.
The brightness of a display or illuminated surface influences safety, creativity, communication — and our everyday comfort. The Free Luminance Unit Converter by AlllinTools empowers engineers, designers, and creators with reliable brightness measurement across different scientific standards.
Use this tool to:
✔ Calibrate screens & signage correctly
✔ Improve accessibility and readability
✔ Support accurate color representation
✔ Meet industry-regulated brightness levels
✔ Create visually comfortable environments
See the world clearly — measure luminance accurately.
🔆 Convert luminance units instantly:
✨ Luminance Tool – Only on AlllinTools.com