How bright should my workbench light be?

These targets follow CIBSE recommended task levels. For general assembly, 500 lux is adequate. For painting and colour matching, aim for 750-1000 lux (the CIBSE fine-bench/colour-matching band). For very fine detail work and photography, 1000+ lux is ideal. Most people underlight their workspace — brighter is almost always better for modelling.

Is the "lumens needed" figure the lamp size I should buy?

No — treat it as the minimum light required at the work surface (incident lumens on the bench), not the rated output to buy. A real lamp loses light to distance, spill and beam spread (utilisation factor ≈ 0.4-0.8) and dims over its life (maintenance factor ≈ 0.7-0.85), so the full lighting-design formula is Lumens = Area × Lux ÷ (utilisation × maintenance). In practice, buy a lamp rated roughly 1.5-3× this minimum so the bench still gets enough light after losses, and prioritise a high CRI (90+) daylight LED.

What colour temperature should I use?

Use 5000K (daylight) for painting and colour matching — it shows true colours. Warm white (2700-3000K) is comfortable but distorts colour perception. Some modellers use adjustable colour temperature lamps to switch between tasks.

Where should I position desk lamps?

Place the main light slightly above and to the left (if right-handed) to avoid shadows from your hands. A second light from the right fills shadows. Avoid placing lights directly overhead as this creates glare. Adjustable arm lamps offer the most flexibility.

Should I use LED or fluorescent lighting?

LED is now the clear winner. Modern LED desk lamps and panels offer high CRI (Colour Rendering Index), adjustable brightness, low heat, and long life. Look for CRI 90+ for colour-critical work. Avoid cheap LEDs with low CRI.

Light Setup Calculator — Free Tools & Equipment Tool

How We Calculate This

Calculates the total lumens needed for your workspace based on desk size and task type.

Formula

Lumens needed = Target lux × Desk area (m²) — since 1 lux = 1 lumen per m²
LED wattage = Lumens ÷ LED efficacy (default 100 lm/W; adjustable, typically 80-120 lm/W)
Lamp count = Lumens ÷ lamp output (default 1000 lm per desk lamp; adjustable)

This is the minimum light needed at the work surface. It is the incident lumens on the bench, not the lamp's rated output. A real lamp delivers only a fraction of its rated lumens to the bench because of distance, spill and beam spread (utilisation factor ≈ 0.4-0.8) and dims over its life (maintenance factor ≈ 0.7-0.85), so the full lumen-method figure is Lumens = Area × Lux ÷ (utilisation × maintenance). In practice, choose lamps rated noticeably higher than this minimum — roughly 1.5-3× — and favour high-CRI daylight LEDs so colours read true.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.

Light Setup Calculator — Workbench Illumination