1200 lumens is approximately equal to 12 watts when converted assuming a typical LED bulb efficiency of about 100 lumens per watt.
This conversion depends on the luminous efficacy, which varies by lighting technology. For LEDs, a common assumption is 100 lumens per watt, meaning that 1200 lumens divided by 100 equals 12 watts. Other types of bulbs will have different wattage for same lumens.
Conversion Tool
Result in watts:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert lumens to watts is:
Watts = Lumens ÷ Luminous Efficacy (lumens per watt). This is because lumens measure the light output, while watts measure power consumption.
For LED lights, a luminous efficacy of about 100 lumens/watt is common. So, to find watts from lumens, divide the lumen value by 100. This works because more lumens per watt means more light with less energy.
Example calculation:
1200 lumens ÷ 100 lumens/watt = 12 watts
Conversion Example
- Convert 800 lumens to watts:
- Assuming 100 lumens/watt efficacy.
- 800 ÷ 100 = 8 watts.
- So, 800 lumens equals 8 watts.
- Convert 1500 lumens to watts:
- Divide 1500 by 100.
- 1500 ÷ 100 = 15 watts.
- The power consumption is 15 watts.
- Convert 950 lumens to watts:
- 950 ÷ 100 = 9.5 watts.
- This means 950 lumens uses roughly 9.5 watts.
- Convert 2000 lumens to watts:
- 2000 ÷ 100 = 20 watts.
- Thus, 2000 lumens corresponds to 20 watts.
Conversion Chart
| Lumens | Watts |
|---|---|
| 1175.0 | 11.75 |
| 1180.0 | 11.80 |
| 1185.0 | 11.85 |
| 1190.0 | 11.90 |
| 1195.0 | 11.95 |
| 1200.0 | 12.00 |
| 1205.0 | 12.05 |
| 1210.0 | 12.10 |
| 1215.0 | 12.15 |
| 1220.0 | 12.20 |
| 1225.0 | 12.25 |
This chart shows how lumens values, from 1175 to 1225, convert into watts by dividing by 100. You can find the wattage for any lumen value in this range by reading across the row. It’s useful for quick comparisons without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many watts does a 1200 lumen LED bulb consume?
- What is the watt equivalent of 1200 lumens for incandescent bulbs?
- Can I replace a 1200 lumen CFL with an LED using the same wattage?
- How do I convert 1200 lumens to watts for halogen lights?
- Is 1200 lumens equal to 12 watts for all lighting types?
- What wattage bulb should I choose to get around 1200 lumens?
- How accurate is the lumens to watts conversion for 1200 lumens?
Conversion Definitions
Lumens: Lumens measure the amount of visible light emitted by a source. It quantifies the brightness perceived by the human eye rather than the energy used. Higher lumens means brighter light. It is a standard unit for light output in lighting design and purchase decisions.
Watts: Watts represents the rate of energy consumption or power used by an electrical device. In lighting, watts indicate how much electricity a bulb draws, not brightness. Different bulb types have different efficiency, meaning same watts may produce different lumens.
Conversion FAQs
Why is the wattage different for bulbs with the same lumens?
Because wattage measures energy use, and lumens measure light output, bulbs can vary in efficiency. LEDs produce more lumens per watt than incandescent or halogen bulbs, so two bulbs with same lumens can draw different watts depending on technology.
Does the conversion change for different types of bulbs?
Yes, the luminous efficacy changes by bulb type. Incandescents typically produce 10-17 lumens per watt, CFLs about 60-70, and LEDs 80-120 or more. So lumens to watts conversion depends on assumed luminous efficacy for the specific bulb.
Can I accurately convert lumens to watts without knowing the bulb type?
No, because wattage depends on bulb efficiency which varies. Using a general conversion like dividing by 100 works for many LEDs, but incandescent or halogen bulbs will have different ratios making the conversion inaccurate.
Why do manufacturers list lumens instead of watts now?
Because wattage only shows power consumption, not brightness. With more efficient bulbs, wattage became a poor indicator of light output. Lumens provide a direct measurement of visible light, helping consumers choose bulbs by brightness rather than energy used.
Is it possible for a bulb to have higher watts but lower lumens?
Yes. Older or less efficient bulbs may consume more power (higher watts) but emit fewer lumens. This means they waste more energy producing heat instead of light, which is why newer technologies aim for higher lumens per watt ratios.
