LED Watt Calculator
Convert incandescent, halogen, or CFL bulb wattage to LED equivalent. See exact lumens output, energy savings, and annual cost reduction.
Find LED Equivalent
Enter your current bulb type and wattage to find the LED replacement.
How to Convert Incandescent Watts to LED Watts
To find the LED equivalent of an incandescent bulb, divide the lumens output by 100 (typical LED efficacy). A 60W incandescent produces ~800 lumens. An LED producing the same 800 lumens uses only ~8W — an 87% energy reduction.
| Incandescent | Lumens | LED Equivalent | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25W | 250 lm | 3W | 88% |
| 40W | 450 lm | 5W | 88% |
| 60W | 800 lm | 8W | 87% |
| 75W | 1,100 lm | 11W | 85% |
| 100W | 1,600 lm | 16W | 84% |
| 150W | 2,600 lm | 26W | 83% |
Understanding Lumens vs Watts
Lumens measure brightness (light output), while watts measure energy consumption (power). When shopping for LED bulbs, always compare lumens, not watts. A higher lumen count means a brighter bulb. LED technology produces significantly more lumens per watt than older technologies:
- Incandescent: 10-17 lumens per watt
- Halogen: 15-25 lumens per watt
- CFL: 50-70 lumens per watt
- LED: 80-150 lumens per watt
LED Bulb Color Temperature Guide
| Color Temp (K) | Name | Appearance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2700K | Warm White | Yellowish, cozy | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| 3000K | Soft White | Warm, inviting | Kitchens, bathrooms |
| 4000K | Cool White | Neutral, balanced | Offices, workshops |
| 5000K | Daylight | Bright, crisp blue-white | Garages, task lighting |
| 6500K | Full Daylight | Very bright, bluish | Photography, displays |
Frequently Asked Questions About LED Wattage
What LED wattage replaces a 60 watt bulb?
An 8-10 watt LED bulb replaces a 60 watt incandescent bulb. Both produce approximately 800 lumens of light. The LED uses 85% less electricity. Look for LED bulbs labeled "60W equivalent" or "800 lumens" when shopping.
Do LED bulbs really save money?
Yes, LED bulbs save 75-85% on lighting electricity costs. Replacing ten 60W incandescent bulbs with 8W LEDs saves 520W. At 5 hours/day and $0.12/kWh, that saves about $114 per year. LED bulbs also last 15,000-50,000 hours vs 1,000 hours for incandescent.
Are higher watt LED bulbs brighter?
Yes, higher wattage LED bulbs produce more lumens (brightness). However, always compare lumens rather than watts between different LED brands, as efficacy varies. A well-designed 8W LED can be brighter than a cheap 10W LED.
What is luminous efficacy?
Luminous efficacy measures how efficiently a light source converts electricity into visible light, expressed in lumens per watt (lm/W). Modern LEDs achieve 100-150 lm/W, compared to 15 lm/W for incandescent bulbs.
Can I put a higher watt LED in a 60W fixture?
Yes, because LED bulbs use far less power than their incandescent equivalent. A "100W equivalent" LED bulb actually uses only 14-16W of electricity, well within the 60W fixture rating. The wattage rating on fixtures refers to heat, and LEDs produce far less heat than incandescent bulbs.