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Candela Square Meter Converter

Convert Candela Square Meter to Lambert and more • 19 conversions

Result

0

1 0
Conversion Formula
1 = ---
Quick Reference
1 = 1
10 = 10
50 = 50
100 = 100
500 = 500
1000 = 1000

Unit Explanations

Candela per Square Metercd/m²

Source Unit

The candela per square meter (cd/m²), commonly referred to as 'nits', is a derived unit of luminance in the International System of Units (SI). It quantifies the luminous intensity emitted by a surface in a given direction per unit area. Specifically, it defines how much light is emitted from a surface that has a luminous intensity of one candela and covers an area of one square meter. This unit is crucial in fields such as photography, display technology, and lighting design, as it allows for the assessment of brightness and visual comfort. The concept of luminance is fundamental in understanding how light interacts with surfaces and affects human perception. It plays a vital role in optimizing lighting conditions and evaluating the performance of displays and lighting fixtures in various environments.

L = I / A

Current Use

The candela per square meter is widely used across various industries, including electronics, automotive, architecture, and photography. In the electronics industry, it is crucial for evaluating display brightness in televisions, computer monitors, and smartphones, influencing consumer choices and design standards. In the automotive sector, luminance standards ensure that dashboard displays and exterior lights meet safety regulations. Architectural lighting design relies on cd/m² to create visually appealing environments while ensuring adequate illumination levels. In photography, achieving the correct luminance is essential for proper exposure and image quality. Countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan have adopted this unit in their standards for light measurement, contributing to a global understanding of luminance.

Fun Fact

The term 'nit' is derived from the Latin word 'nitere', meaning 'to shine'.

LambertL

Target Unit

The lambert (symbol: L) is a unit of luminance that quantifies the amount of visible light emitted or reflected from a surface in a particular direction. It defines the intensity of light per unit area, where one lambert is equal to one lumen per square centimeter. This measurement is particularly relevant in fields such as photometry and lighting design, as it helps in assessing how much light is perceived by the human eye from a given surface. The concept of luminance is essential for evaluating the brightness of surfaces in various lighting conditions and is crucial for ensuring adequate visibility in environments ranging from homes to workplaces.

L = I / A, where L is luminance in lamberts, I is luminous intensity in candelas, and A is area in square centimeters.

Current Use

Today, the lambert is widely used in various industries, particularly in lighting and display technology. It is instrumental in the design and evaluation of lighting systems, helping engineers and designers ensure that spaces are adequately illuminated for their intended use. The lambert is also used in evaluating the luminance of screens in the television and computer industries, where accurate color rendering and brightness are critical for user experience. Although less common in everyday applications, it remains a vital unit in specialized fields such as cinematography, where consistent luminance levels are necessary for visual storytelling. Countries such as the United States and Germany, with strong foundations in photometric research, continue to utilize the lambert in both academic and industrial applications.

Fun Fact

The lambert is named after Johann Heinrich Lambert, who also contributed to our understanding of the inverse-square law of light.

Decimals:
Scientific:OFF

Result

0

1
0
Conversion Formula
1 = ...
1→1
10→10
100→100
1000→1000

📐Conversion Formula

= × 1.00000

How to Convert

To convert to , multiply the value by 1.00000. This conversion factor represents the ratio between these two units.

Quick Examples

1
=
1.000
10
=
10.00
100
=
100.0

💡 Pro Tip: For the reverse conversion (), divide by the conversion factor instead of multiplying.

cd/m²

Candela per Square Meter

luminanceNon-SI

Definition

The candela per square meter (cd/m²), commonly referred to as 'nits', is a derived unit of luminance in the International System of Units (SI). It quantifies the luminous intensity emitted by a surface in a given direction per unit area. Specifically, it defines how much light is emitted from a surface that has a luminous intensity of one candela and covers an area of one square meter. This unit is crucial in fields such as photography, display technology, and lighting design, as it allows for the assessment of brightness and visual comfort. The concept of luminance is fundamental in understanding how light interacts with surfaces and affects human perception. It plays a vital role in optimizing lighting conditions and evaluating the performance of displays and lighting fixtures in various environments.

History & Origin

The candela per square meter originated from the need to measure light's visual impact on surfaces. In the early 20th century, the understanding of light properties and their effects on human vision was still developing. The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) conducted extensive research to define standards for various light measurements. The candela, established as the SI base unit of luminous intensity in 1979, became integral to this system. The derivation of luminance from the candela marked a significant step in quantifying light's interaction with surfaces, thereby enhancing the precision of lighting design and evaluation.

Etymology: The term 'candela' is derived from the Latin word for 'candle', reflecting the historical use of candles as a standard light source.

1979: The candela was defined as the...1993: The candela per square meter w...

Current Use

The candela per square meter is widely used across various industries, including electronics, automotive, architecture, and photography. In the electronics industry, it is crucial for evaluating display brightness in televisions, computer monitors, and smartphones, influencing consumer choices and design standards. In the automotive sector, luminance standards ensure that dashboard displays and exterior lights meet safety regulations. Architectural lighting design relies on cd/m² to create visually appealing environments while ensuring adequate illumination levels. In photography, achieving the correct luminance is essential for proper exposure and image quality. Countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan have adopted this unit in their standards for light measurement, contributing to a global understanding of luminance.

ElectronicsAutomotiveArchitecturePhotography

💡 Fun Facts

  • The term 'nit' is derived from the Latin word 'nitere', meaning 'to shine'.
  • A common household candle emits approximately 1 candela of light intensity.
  • In 2020, the global market for display luminance testing equipment was estimated to exceed $1 billion.

📏 Real-World Examples

500 cd/m²
Brightness of a smartphone screen
300 cd/m²
Office lighting recommendation
600 cd/m²
TV display brightness
400 cd/m²
Automotive dashboard display
1000 cd/m²
Outdoor advertising display
200 cd/m²
Photography lighting setup

🔗 Related Units

Candela (Base unit of luminous intensity from which cd/m² is derived.)Lumen (Measures the total quantity of visible light emitted; related to cd/m² by area.)Lux (Measures illuminance; 1 lux = 1 cd/m² when over a 1 square meter area.)Steradian (Unit of solid angle; helps define luminous intensity in three-dimensional space.)Foot-Candle (A non-SI unit of illuminance; related to cd/m² through conversion factors.)Nits (Common name for cd/m², especially in display technology.)
L

Lambert

luminanceNon-SI

Definition

The lambert (symbol: L) is a unit of luminance that quantifies the amount of visible light emitted or reflected from a surface in a particular direction. It defines the intensity of light per unit area, where one lambert is equal to one lumen per square centimeter. This measurement is particularly relevant in fields such as photometry and lighting design, as it helps in assessing how much light is perceived by the human eye from a given surface. The concept of luminance is essential for evaluating the brightness of surfaces in various lighting conditions and is crucial for ensuring adequate visibility in environments ranging from homes to workplaces.

History & Origin

The lambert unit was introduced in honor of the German physicist Johann Heinrich Lambert, who made substantial contributions to the fields of optics and photometry. Lambert's work in the 18th century laid the groundwork for understanding how light interacts with surfaces, making it possible to quantify luminance effectively. His seminal work, 'Photometria,' published in 1760, established fundamental principles of light measurement, paving the way for the development of standardized units of measurement in photometry.

Etymology: The term 'lambert' is derived from the name of Johann Heinrich Lambert, reflecting his significant contributions to the study of light and its properties.

1760: Johann Heinrich Lambert publis...1959: Lambert is standardized by the...

Current Use

Today, the lambert is widely used in various industries, particularly in lighting and display technology. It is instrumental in the design and evaluation of lighting systems, helping engineers and designers ensure that spaces are adequately illuminated for their intended use. The lambert is also used in evaluating the luminance of screens in the television and computer industries, where accurate color rendering and brightness are critical for user experience. Although less common in everyday applications, it remains a vital unit in specialized fields such as cinematography, where consistent luminance levels are necessary for visual storytelling. Countries such as the United States and Germany, with strong foundations in photometric research, continue to utilize the lambert in both academic and industrial applications.

LightingTelevisionFilmPhotographyArchitectural design

💡 Fun Facts

  • The lambert is named after Johann Heinrich Lambert, who also contributed to our understanding of the inverse-square law of light.
  • A single lambert is equivalent to the luminance of a perfectly diffusing surface that reflects light uniformly.
  • The lambert is not an SI unit but is still widely used in photometry and related fields.

📏 Real-World Examples

100 L
A television screen has a luminance of 100 lamberts.
50 L
A well-lit office should have a luminance of around 50 lamberts.
300 L
A projector's output is measured at 300 lamberts.
120 L
The luminance of a computer monitor is calibrated to 120 lamberts.
10 L
Street lighting typically aims for a luminance of 10 lamberts.
80 L
A photography studio requires a luminance of 80 lamberts for optimal results.

🔗 Related Units

Candela (The candela is the SI unit of luminous intensity and is foundational to the measurement of luminance.)Lumen (Luminance is related to lumens as it quantifies light emitted per unit area.)Nit (Nits and lamberts both measure luminance; 1 lambert equals approximately 3.14 nits.)Footcandle (Footcandles measure illuminance, while lamberts measure luminance; 1 footcandle is roughly 0.0929 lamberts.)Lux (Lux measures illuminance and is related to lamberts through area considerations.)Phot (The phot is another unit of illuminance; 1 phot equals approximately 0.1 lux.)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert to ?

To convert to , multiply your value by 1. For example, 10 equals 10 .

What is the formula for to conversion?

The formula is: = × 1. This conversion factor is based on international standards.

Is this to converter accurate?

Yes! MetricConv uses internationally standardized conversion factors from organizations like NIST and ISO. Our calculations support up to 15 decimal places of precision, making it suitable for scientific, engineering, and everyday calculations.

Can I convert back to ?

Absolutely! You can use the swap button (⇄) in the converter above to reverse the conversion direction, or visit our to converter.

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