Lumens (lm) and Watts (W) measure different aspects of light output. Watts are what we historically used to measure light output, but now we must use Lumens instead.
Here is the different between the two:
Lumens (lm): Lumens indicate the brightness of a light source, measuring the total visible light emitted. Higher lumens mean brighter light.
They're used to compare brightness across different bulbs or fixtures, regardless of wattage.
Watts (W): Watts measure the electrical power consumed by a light source to produce light. Traditionally, higher watts meant brighter light, but this correlation is less relevant with energy-efficient bulbs.
While still indicating power consumption, watts aren't reliable for brightness comparison, especially with LED bulbs.
In summary, lumens determine brightness, while watts measure power consumption. Focus on lumens for brightness and watts for energy efficiency.
As a quick guideline, below
are some comparisons of how many lumens lightbulbs are in terms of the old wattage equivalent:
40 watts ≈ 450 lumens
60 watts ≈ 800 lumens
75 watts ≈ 1100 lumens
100 watts ≈ 1600 lumens
These equivalents can vary slightly depending on the specific bulb type and manufacturer. However, they provide a general guideline for comparing brightness across different bulb types.