How to Calculate Luminaire Spacing

Measure the length and width of the area to be lit, then multiply the two numbers to calculate the square area.

Example: A room is 18 feet long and 15 feet wide. Multiply 18 feet by 15 feet to get 270 square feet.

Divide the space's square area by the number of luminaries to be installed.

Example: You plan to install four light fixtures in a room that is 270 square feet. Divide 270 square feet by four to get the answer: 67.5 square feet.

Calculate the square root of the number you found in Step 2, and round the answer to the nearest tenth to convert that number from square feet to feet. The resulting number is the distance you should space your luminaire.

Example: The square root of 67.5 is 8.2158. The rounded answer is 8.2 feet, or 8 feet 2.4 inches.

Check your selected light fixtures' manufacturer data to find the maximum allowed spacing for that model. This distance is the farthest apart you can space the selected luminaries while maintaining a usable level of light. For used light fixtures or ones that are missing this data, contact the manufacture directly.

Compare the distance you calculated in Step 3 with the manufacturer's maximum spacing requirements. If your distance is less then the manufacturer's maximum spacing, your lights will provide adequate illumination. If your distance is farther than the manufacturer's recommendation, add one or more light fixtures and recalculate the spacing.