Watts versus lumens
Watts show how much electricity a bulb uses, and lumens show how much light it gives. An old filament bulb needed many watts for a little light, and an LED needs far fewer. Compare lumens on the pack, and use watts to estimate running cost.
LED watts and old bulb equivalents
These are approximate figures, and actual output varies by brand.
| LED watts | Approx. lumens | Roughly replaces |
|---|---|---|
| 5 W | About 400 | 40 W old bulb |
| 7 W | About 600 | 50 W old bulb |
| 9 W | About 800 | 60 W old bulb |
| 12 W | About 1,000 - 1,100 | 75 to 100 W old bulb |
| 15 W | About 1,400 - 1,500 | 100 W old bulb |
| 18 W | About 1,600 - 1,800 | 120 W old bulb |
Approximate figures; check the pack for the real lumens.
Plan lumens by room
A simple method is to plan the light level for the use, then multiply by the floor area. Commonly suggested levels are about 100 to 200 lux in living rooms and bedrooms and 300 to 500 lux in kitchens and studies. Light levels are measured in lumens per square metre, so a 4 x 4 m kitchen of 16 sq m aiming for 300 lux needs roughly 4,800 lumens, spread over several lights.
| Room | Suggested level | Example, 16 sq m room |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | About 100 - 200 lux | About 1,600 - 3,200 lumens |
| Bedroom | About 100 - 150 lux | About 1,600 - 2,400 lumens |
| Kitchen | About 300 - 500 lux | About 4,800 - 8,000 lumens |
| Study or office | About 300 - 500 lux | About 4,800 - 8,000 lumens |
Commonly suggested starting points. Adjust to taste and use.
Colour temperature
Warm white, around 2700 to 3000 K, suits living rooms and bedrooms, neutral white around 4000 K suits kitchens and studies and daylight around 6500 K suits garages and workspaces. Keep one colour in each room, because mixed colours look patchy.
Bases and fittings
Check the holder before buying. B22 bayonet and E27 screw are common in Pakistan, E14 is the small screw for candle bulbs and GU10 is a pin base for spotlights. Check that the bulb fits the shade and the maximum wattage of the fitting.
Dimmable bulbs
Dimmable bulbs need a compatible dimmer, and a dimmer made for old bulbs may flicker with LED. Check the minimum load and test one bulb first. See chandelier light for dimming chandeliers.
Spotting poor bulbs
Be careful with very cheap bulbs that claim huge watts for tiny prices, with no lumens on the pack and no brand. Choose a recognised brand with a warranty, and keep the receipt. A bulb that flickers, heats badly or changes colour is failing.
Indicative prices
Indicative ranges, November 2026: basic LED bulbs of 5 to 18 W cost about PKR 150 to 250, vintage filament styles from about PKR 400 and smart app bulbs about PKR 920 to 2,450. Confirm today's rate on WhatsApp, and see SMD lights for what is inside a bulb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan by lumens: about 100 to 200 lux in living rooms and bedrooms and 300 to 500 lux in kitchens and studies, multiplied by the floor area in square metres. A 16 sq m kitchen needs roughly 4,800 lumens, spread over several bulbs.
About a 9 W LED, which gives roughly 800 lumens. A 100 W old bulb is roughly a 12 to 15 W LED. Always check the lumens on the pack, since brands differ, and choose the colour temperature you want. Check the warranty terms and who honours them before you pay.
Not always. Efficiency varies by brand, so a good 9 W bulb can give more light than a poor 12 W bulb. Compare the lumens and buy from a recognised brand with a warranty, instead of trusting the watt number alone. Measure carefully and confirm sizes with the supplier before ordering.
Warm white, around 2700 to 3000 K, gives a relaxed glow for bedrooms and living rooms. Neutral white around 4000 K suits kitchens and study rooms, and daylight around 6500 K suits garages and workspaces. Prices and stock change, so confirm the current position before you commit.
Indicative ranges are PKR 150 to 250 for basic LED bulbs, from about PKR 400 for filament styles and PKR 920 to 2,450 for smart bulbs. Prices vary with brand and quality, so confirm today's rate for your bulb. If in doubt, send a photo and the measurements and we will advise.
Send the room size, the ceiling height and a photo on WhatsApp. We confirm what we can supply and reply with a written rate that lists the fixtures, the wattage and the bulbs, so you can compare quotes from different suppliers on the same scope.