Lumens to Watts Converter
Convert lumens to watts (or watts to lumens) for LED, CFL, Halogen, and Incandescent bulbs. Compare all types side-by-side.
| Bulb Type | Efficacy (lm/W) | Equiv. Watts |
|---|---|---|
| LED | 90 lm/W | — |
| CFL | 60 lm/W | — |
| Halogen | 20 lm/W | — |
| Incandescent | 15 lm/W | — |
Annual Energy Cost Comparison
| Bulb Type | Watts Used | Annual kWh | Annual Cost | vs Incandescent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enter lumens or watts above to see cost comparison. | ||||
Understanding Lumens and Watts
Lumens measure the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source — it's the brightness you actually see. Watts measure power consumption — how much electricity the bulb uses. Efficacy (lumens per watt, lm/W) describes how efficiently a bulb converts electricity into light.
A standard 60W incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens. An equivalent LED achieves the same 800 lumens using only 8–10 watts — roughly 85% less energy. This is why switching to LED can dramatically reduce lighting electricity costs without sacrificing brightness.
When shopping for bulbs, look at lumens for brightness and watt equivalent for reference. The higher the lm/W efficacy, the more efficient the bulb: LED (~90 lm/W) > CFL (~60 lm/W) > Halogen (~20 lm/W) > Incandescent (~15 lm/W).