Recessed & Ceiling Lighting Planning Calculator
Room Dimensions
Enter the room size and mounting height (fixture to work plane).
Fixture Layout
How many lights do you place along each direction of the room?
Fixture Data
Use lumens from your spec sheet and a reasonable maintenance factor.
Note: This calculator gives a first approximation of your lighting layout and brightness levels. For accurate and professional results, we recommend tools like DIALux or AGi32 using real IES or LDT files based on your chosen fixtures.
Need a custom lighting report based on your fixtures? Request a professional report from Stetra Lighting.
What This Recessed Lighting Calculator Does
The calculator provides a simple, first-approximation layout. It is not a full photometric analysis, but it helps you make fast decisions about fixture count, spacing, and general coverage.
- Estimate the number of lights needed for basic illumination.
- See approximate fixture spacing based on room dimensions.
- Preview a simple ceiling layout for planning and coordination.
- Test different fixture counts instantly without manual math.
It works for recessed downlights, surface fixtures, and most ceiling-mounted luminaires where spacing is the main question.
How to Use the Recessed Lighting Calculator
Enter your room size, ceiling height, and the number of fixtures you want to explore. Adjust the fixture count until the spacing and layout feel balanced for your space.
- Enter room dimensions (length and width).
- Add ceiling height for better scale and proportions.
- Select fixture quantity to test spacing options.
- Review the layout grid for symmetry and flow.
- Adjust as needed until the layout feels right.
Use this as a planning guide. Final placement always depends on your actual fixture type, beam angle, finishes, and architectural details.
Practical Layout Tips
This tool gives you spacing. These simple guidelines help improve the final result:
- Group lights by zones such as seating, kitchen counters, hallways, and accent walls.
- Avoid clutter — too many fixtures too close can create glare.
- Match spacing to beam angle for even distribution.
- Include dimming for flexibility and comfort.
- Coordinate with other fixtures like pendants or wall washers.
This calculator gives you the first approximation. For final documentation, beam spreads, and real brightness levels, a photometric plan is recommended.
When You Need a Full Photometric Plan
If your project requires verified foot-candle levels, code compliance, or coordination across multiple fixture types, a professional photometric plan will give you the accuracy this calculator cannot.
- Ensuring correct foot-candle or lux levels.
- High-end residential, office, hospitality, or retail projects.
- Coordinating beam angles, optics, and dimming zones.
- Stamped or documented lighting calculations.
Stetra Lighting provides detailed photometric reports based on real IES files and your project requirements.
Order a photometric plan here if you need accurate light levels, uniformity analysis, and final placement recommendations.