Lambert (La)
CGS unit of luminance: 1/π candela per square centimeter.
What is a lambert?
- Symbol
- La
- Quantity
- Luminance
- Unit system
- CGS
- Definition
- CGS unit of luminance: 1/π candela per square centimeter.
- Exact
- Yes, the value is exact by definition
- Source
- NIST Special Publication 811 (2008), Appendix B.8
Common applications
An older CGS unit that appears in early lighting and vision research papers.
Lambert in other luminance units
- 1 La ≈ 3183.098862 cd/m²Candela per square meter (nit)
- 1 La ≈ 3.183098862 kcd/m²Kilocandela per square meter
- 1 La ≈ 0.3183098862 sbStilb
- 1 La ≈ 295.7195609 cd/ft²Candela per square foot
- 1 La ≈ 2.053608062 cd/in²Candela per square inch
- 1 La = 929.0304 fLFoot-lambert
- 1 La = 10000 asbApostilb
Lambert quick reference
| Lambert | Candela per square meter (nit) | Foot-lambert | Kilocandela per square meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 La | ≈ 3183.098862 cd/m² | = 929.0304 fL | ≈ 3.183098862 kcd/m² |
| 10 La | ≈ 31830.98862 cd/m² | = 9290.304 fL | ≈ 31.83098862 kcd/m² |
| 100 La | ≈ 318309.8862 cd/m² | = 92903.04 fL | ≈ 318.3098862 kcd/m² |
| 1000 La | ≈ 3183098.862 cd/m² | = 929030.4 fL | ≈ 3183.098862 kcd/m² |
Where the lambert fits
The next smaller luminance unit is the candela per square inch (cd/in²). 1 La ≈ 2.053608062 cd/in², and 1 cd/in² ≈ 0.4869478352 La.
The next larger luminance unit is the stilb (sb). 1 La ≈ 0.3183098862 sb, and 1 sb ≈ 3.141592654 La.
Frequently asked questions
- How many candelas per square meter are in one lambert?
- One lambert ≈ 3183.098862 cd/m² (candelas per square meter).
- How many foot-lamberts are in one lambert?
- One lambert = 929.0304 fL (foot-lamberts).
- How many kilocandelas per square meter are in one lambert?
- One lambert ≈ 3.183098862 kcd/m² (kilocandelas per square meter).