In the following table, we take a look at general acceptable lux levels for

various work functions and typical user space. Hover over each row for
easier line viewing.
Lux Level Work Activity and Function Example of User Area

20 – 80 Public walking Public parks and open-air carparks

100 – 140 Casual non-visual task Corridors, changing rooms, office

restrooms

150 – 180 Some perception of detail Warehouses, stores, plant rooms, lift
lobbies

200 – 240 Continuous occupation Entrance halls, dining rooms

250 – 300 Very easy visual task Public toilet, classrooms

300 – 400 Moderately easy visual task Private office, libraries, lecture theatres

500 – 600 Moderately difficult visual task Offices, laboratories, retail outlets

750 – 900 Difficult visual task Supermarkets, technical drawing offices

1000 – 1300 Very difficult visual task Operating theatres, polishing and painting
plant

1500 – 1800 Extremely difficult visual task Assembly plants, inspection plants

> 2000 Exceptionally difficult visual task Precision assembly, fine work inspection

Recommended Lux Level Requirements by the Industry

Going into more specific industries, the following is a list of working
spaces and their recommended lux levels:

Educational Buildings

School and College

Area and User Space Recommended Lux Level

Computer Room 300

Classroom and Tuition Centre 350

Technical Drawing Room 750

Museum and Science Centre

Area and User Space Recommended Lux Level

General Area and Corridor 150

Common Toilet and Restroom 200

Special Lighting for Paintings 300

Special Lighting for Sculptures 750

Commercial Buildings

Retail Shop and Outlet

Area and User Space Recommended Lux Level

Sales Area and Premises 400

Gift Wrap Station 450

Cash Register Counter 500

Commercial Space and Office

Area and User Space Recommended Lux Level

Lift Lobby 200

Corridor 300

Toilet and Restroom 150

Cafeteria 350

Plant Room (AHU, Genset etc.) 150

Store Room 180

Special Buildings
Hospital

Area and User Space Recommended Lux Level

Lift Lobby 200

Corridor 250

Waiting Area and Lobby 300

Common Toilet and Restroom 250

Counselling Room 200

Breast-Feeding Room 200

Intensive Care Unit 300

High Dependency Unit 300

Isolation Room 300

Isolation Room – Ante Room 300

Delivery Suite – Labour Room 300

Operating Theatre 500

Operating Theatre – Air-Lock 300

CSSD/TSSU – Sterilisation Area 300

CSSD/TSSU – Packing Area 500

Patient Ward – Room 300

Patient Ward – Toilet 150

Conference Room 400

Catering Dept – Main Kitchen 400

Catering Dept – Beverage Kitchen 300

Catering Dept – Refuse Holding 150

Hotel and Restaurant

Area and User Space Recommended Lux Level

Lift Lobby 150

 Corridor 150

Common Toilet and Restroom 150

Bar 150

Bedroom 200

Conference Room 400

Exhibition Hall 500

Cinema, Concert Hall and Theatre

Area and User Space Recommended Lux Level

Entrance Foyer 200

Auditorium 150

Toilet and Restroom 200

Dress Change 300

Make-Up Room 400

Residential Buildings

House, Apartments, Condominium and Residences

Area and User Space Recommended Lux Level

Living Room 200

Dining Room 250

Kitchen 250

Bedroom 180

Bathroom 150

Please note that some of the figures given above for certain areas may
deviate slightly from what is commonly accepted, and as such are my
own interpretation of what constitutes comfortable lighting levels which
takes into account interior design considerations, mood ambiance and
other factors. For the purpose of design and calculations, this will be
featured in another article.

Australian Standard – Recommended Lux Level Requirements

As a comparison, the recommended MINIMUM lux levels for various user
space is given by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1680.2.2 under Table
3.1 – Interior and Workspace Lighting. Kindly note that the following is a
summary of the guideline for minimum illumination to suit the required
task and purpose, and may be increased where deemed fit, subject to
energy conservation requirements and other decision and design criteria:
Characteristics of Areas and Recommended Minimum
Examples
Activities Illumination (lux)

Interiors rarely visited where Pass-though corridors and 40

lighting is only required to aid walkways; cable tunnels;
movement and orientation indoor storage tanks

Areas of intermittent use for Movement, orientation and 80

tasks of coarse detail tasks of coarse detail in areas
such as change rooms, storage
rooms, loading bays etc.

Areas that are continually used
for tasks of coarse detail
Simple tasks such as occasional 160
reading of clearly printed
documents for short periods or
rough bench or machine work
in areas such as waiting rooms
and entrance halls etc.

Continuously occupied interiors Food preparation areas; 240

used for ordinary tasks with counters for transactions;
high contrasts or large detail school boards; medium
woodworking

Areas where visual tasks are
moderately difficult and include
moderate detail (5 – 10 min arc
or tolerances to 123µm) with
low contrast
Routine office tasks such as 320
reading, typing and writing in
office spaces or enquiry desks
Medium level inspection work 400
such as fine woodwork or car
assembly

Areas where visual tasks are Visually difficult tasks including 600
difficult with small detail (3 – 5 most inspection tasks such as
min arc or tolerances to 25µm) proofreading, fine machine
with lower contrast work or fine painting

Areas where visual work are Very difficult tasks such as fine 800
very difficult and involve very inspection, paint retouching or
small detail (2 – 3 min arc) with fine manufacture
very low contrast
 Areas where visual work is
extremely difficult with
extremely small detail (1 – 2
min arc or tolerances below
25µm) with very low contrast
Extremely difficult tasks that 1200
may require visual aids such as
graphic arts inspection; hand
tailoring; inspection of dark
goods; extra-fine bench work
etc.

Areas where visual work is Exceptionally difficult tasks 1600

exceptionally difficult with
exceptionally small detail (<1
min arc) with very low contrast
where visual aids would be of
advantage such as the
assembly of minute
mechanisms and jewellery and
watchmaking

For specific lighting applications on educational and training facilities,

you may also refer in greater detail to the Australian/New Zealand
Standard AS/NZS 1680.2.3 (2008). Attention is drawn to Table D1 on Page
27. Click here to view or download a copy in pdf format.