Recessed Lighting Layout Tool

Plan Your Downlight Spacing Before You Buy

Enter the room size and fixture data to estimate quantity, spacing, average foot-candles, and a 3D lighting layout for U.S. residential and light-commercial projects.

IES file import 3D layout preview Foot-candle output

Current Recommendation Calculating Use this as a pre-design estimate. Final installation should be checked against local code and fixture photometry.

Room

Unit

Length Width Ceiling height Work plane height

Target Light Level

Room type Target foot-candles

Fixture

Watts each Efficacy lm/W Lumens each Aperture in Beam angle ° Spacing criterion Coefficient of utilization Light loss factor

IES Photometry

Import .ies file

No IES file loaded. Using estimated beam distribution.

Recommended lights -

Layout grid -

Average level -

Total wattage -

Low

High

Spacing

Length spacing: -
Width spacing: -
Length wall offset: -
Width wall offset: -

Checks

Max recommended spacing: -
Mounting height: -
Uniformity min/avg: -
Power density: -

Photometry

Calculation mode: -
IES lumens: -
IES watts: -
Beam angle: -

Calculation Model

Without an IES file, the tool starts with the lumen method and renders an estimated beam distribution. With IES import, it reads LM-63 vertical angles, horizontal angles, and candela tables, then calculates work-plane point illuminance with E = I(θ,φ) × cosθ / d².

U.S. Lighting Notes

Foot-candles are common in U.S. lighting layouts. ENERGY STAR downlight criteria include efficacy, minimum initial lumens, distribution, IC/AT, and related product requirements. Always verify final layouts with the fixture IES file, local electrical code, and a qualified installer.