How far should downlights be spaced?

As a rule of thumb, we suggest you divide your ceiling height by 2 to give you the space required between each downlight. For example if your ceiling is 8 foot high, then position your lights 4 feet apart. Again, this is only a guideline and you will get a feel for what works best in your individual space.

How many downlights do I need calculator?

A general rule of thumb for spacing your downlights is to take the height of your ceiling and divide by 2. For example, if your ceiling is 8 feet high, then your downlights should be around 4 feet apart from each other.

How do you calculate spacing criteria?

Every manufacturer provides a maximum spacing criterion, which is a ratio to help determine the maximum distance you can put between each light. This number, which is usually between 0.5 and 1.5, is multiplied by the ceiling height in order to determine the maximum distance allowed for each light.

How do you calculate the distance between recessed lights?

A good general rule for placement is to divide the height of the ceiling by two. The result is the amount of space to leave between each light. For example, recessed lighting spacing for an 8-foot-high ceiling would be 4 feet between each light. This will provide good spacing for general room lighting.

What size downlight do I need?

Size generally determines brightness
Light size (cutout diameter)WattsHalogen light equivalent brightness
70mm9W to 12W35W to 50W
90mm12W to 18W45W to 60W
Apr 9, 2016

How many downlights do you need in a room?

Since you need adequate lighting, you probably want to install around 15 downlights. You can achieve this by dividing your living room’s width and length by 5. This may give 7 spaces in the lengthwise direction and 8 spaces in the sideways direction.

How far apart should 6 inch LED recessed lights be?

Generally speaking, recessed lights that are four inches in size should be placed four feet apart. Six-inch lights should be placed six feet apart. In other words, the diameter of the lights equals the space between them.

Can you have too many recessed lights?

It often seems that installing recessed lights is a cure all, but they cannot properly wash light upon walls and all dark corners, which would bounce reflective light into the room. In fact, using too many recessed light may leave areas of your room dark and may even cost you more on your electric bill.

How do I calculate how many ceiling lights I need?

Formula: total sq. footage x 1.5 = total wattage needed. Total wattage divided by 60 watts (or whichever wattage you select) = total amount of recessed can lights. Example: 240 square foot room x 1.5 = 360 divided by 60 (the bulb wattage I’d like to use) = 6 recessed lights needed.

What size recessed light for 8ft ceiling?

When spacing recessed lights, use this general rule of thumb: divide the height of the ceiling by two to get the distance the lights should be from one another. For example, an 8-foot tall ceiling should have recessed lights spaced 4-feet apart.

How many LED recessed lights per room?

Measure your room to see how many fixtures you will need. A common rule of thumb is that you use one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space.

How many can lights in a 20×20 room?

If you have a center light fixture, you should be able to use 4 inch line voltage cans or low voltage for supplemental lighting. I would go with at least 8 three inch cans for a 20 foot room.

Can you light spacing 8 foot ceilings?

Follow the ceiling height rule of thumb.

If a room has an 8 foot ceiling, you should space your recessed lights approximately 4 feet apart. If the ceiling is 10 feet, you’ll want to put about 5 feet of space in between each fixture.

Do you put LED lights on the ceiling or wall?

We recommend having the lights go up your wall, but if you prefer to start the line of lights from the top of your wall, you will need LED strip clips to help hold up the power supply against the wall.

How many recessed lights can be on a circuit?

The main limitation to the number of recessed fixtures you can run at the same time is the rating of the circuit breaker that controls the circuit. Each fixture with a 60-watt incandescent or halogen bulb draws about 1/2 amp, so a 15-amp breaker for a standard lighting circuit would be able to handle 30 of them.

What is the proper maximum distance from the wall to the first row of fixtures?

The distance between fixtures (B), should be equal to or no more than 1.5 times (A). The distance between a fixture and the wall (C) should be no more than one third to one half (B).

How many recessed lights do you need per square foot?

For general lighting purposes, you’ll want to provide 1.5 watts of lighting per square foot of space in the room. So, to get the number of lights you’ll need in the room, first measure to get the room’s square footage. Multiply by that 1.5 to get the number of watts needed for that space.

What is the difference between can lights and recessed lights?

Recessed lights, also known as can lights, are described as metal light housings installed in the ceiling for a sleek look that gives you back your ceiling.

How far away from Wall should Can lights be?

between 1.5 feet and 3 feet
If you plan to illuminate an entire wall or accent particular architectural features or pieces of art, the rule of thumb is to place your recessed light fixtures between 1.5 feet and 3 feet from the wall. If your fixtures are fixed, they should be placed a bit closer to the wall.

How far apart should lights be in a garage?

The distance between fixtures (C) should be about 1–1 12 times (A). For example, a typical 24×24′ shop with a 10′ ceiling and 36″-high work surfaces gives you a distance of 7′ for (A).

Should you stagger recessed lights?

The General Lighting Layout

The recessed lights should be aligned and equally spaced across the ceiling. Resist the temptation to place the lights according to objects in the room (such as furniture).

How do you calculate the number of light fixtures in a room?

Multiply width of room x length of room x 1.5 = amount of total minimum wattage needed (assuming an eight foot ceiling). Divide by 60 to get the number of 60-watt equivalent bulbs required. Then, add up the wattage in each bulb in each fixture to figure out how many light fixtures are needed.