LED Equivalent Wattage Chart: LED vs Incandescent, Halogen and CFL

Updated October 2026 · Meteor Electrical guides · 9 min read

LED packs often say "60W equivalent", but that is only a guide. This LED equivalent wattage chart shows typical values for incandescent, halogen and CFL bulbs against LED, by lamp type and cap, so you can choose the right replacement. All figures are typical values: lumen output varies by product, so always check the pack.

Why compare lumens, not watts?

Watts measure how much electricity a bulb uses. Lumens measure how much light it gives out. With old incandescent bulbs the two went together, so a 60W bulb was always about the same brightness. LEDs give far more light per watt, so a wattage on its own no longer tells you how bright a bulb is.

• Lumens (lm) tell you the brightness. Match these to your old bulb.
• Watts (W) tell you the power used, which sets the running cost.
• Lumens per watt (lm/W) tell you the efficiency. Higher is better.

In the UK and Ireland, packs must show the lumens and the energy label. The energy label was rescaled in 2021 to a stricter A to G scale, so many good LEDs now show a lower letter than before. Lumens per watt is a better way to compare.

LED equivalent wattage chart: incandescent, halogen and CFL vs LED

This is the chart most people need: standard GLS (pear-shaped) bulbs, found in ceiling pendants and table lamps with a B22 bayonet or E27 screw cap.

Each row lists bulbs of similar brightness. Figures are typical; check the lumens on the pack. Halogen and CFL "equivalent" claims on old packs were sometimes generous, so where you can, compare the actual lumens.

LED equivalents by cap and lamp type

The same principle applies to spotlights, candles and capsules, but the wattages differ, and directional lamps also depend on the beam angle.

Figures are typical; check the lumens on the pack. For spotlights, also match the beam angle. Our guide to what GU10 lamps are explains GU10 lumens, beam angles and dimming, and the difference between 230V GU10 and 12V MR16 lamps.

• MR16 (12V): check the transformer works with LED loads, or replace it with a suitable LED driver.
• R7s linear lamps: LED versions are larger and often heavier than halogen ones, so check that one fits and that the fitting is not a sealed or very hot floodlight. Replacing an old halogen floodlight with an LED floodlight is often the better option.
• G9 capsules: LED versions can be longer than halogen ones, so check the size against small wall lights and chandeliers.

Fluorescent tube to LED tube equivalents

Many garages, workshops and commercial spaces still have T8 fluorescent tubes. Most fluorescent lamps were phased out of sale from 2023, so LED replacements are now the norm.

Figures are typical; check the lumens on the pack. Some LED tubes fit straight into the old fitting, while others need the ballast or starter removed or bypassed. That is electrical work, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use a qualified electrician. Replacing the whole fitting with an LED batten is often simpler.

Incandescent vs halogen vs CFL vs LED: how do they compare?

Incandescent bulbs

A tungsten filament is heated until it glows. Only around 5% to 10% of the energy becomes visible light; the rest is heat. They have now been phased out for general lighting.

Halogen bulbs

An improved filament bulb with halogen gas in a small capsule, which lets it run hotter and a little more efficiently. They give crisp, warm light, but are still inefficient, and most types were phased out from September 2021 (see the UK government announcement).

CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs

CFLs use about 70% to 80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs, but they can be slow to reach full brightness, are rarely dimmable and contain a small amount of mercury. Compact fluorescent lamps are still used in some commercial fittings.

LED bulbs

An LED bulb makes light from a semiconductor, so very little energy is wasted as heat. LEDs light instantly, contain no mercury and come in every common shape and cap. For a fuller comparison, see our guide to energy saving light bulbs.

How to choose the right LED replacement

1. Check the cap. Look at the old bulb: B22 bayonet, E27 or E14 screw, GU10, MR16, G9 or R7s.
2. Match the lumens. Use the chart above to find the lumens of your old bulb, then choose an LED with similar or slightly higher lumens.
3. Pick the colour temperature. 2700K to 3000K is warm white for living spaces; 4000K is cool white for kitchens and workspaces; 5000K to 6500K is daylight.
4. Check dimming. On a dimmer, choose a lamp marked dimmable and use an LED-compatible dimmer. See can you use a dimmer switch on LED lights?.
5. Check the size and the fitting. Make sure the LED fits, and that it is suitable for enclosed fittings if the fitting is enclosed.

For ceilings with downlights, our LED downlights guide explains fitting types, fire ratings and IP ratings.

How much does an LED save?

You can work out the saving yourself from the watts, the hours of use and the unit rate on your electricity bill:

1. Watts saved: old bulb wattage minus LED wattage. For example, 60W minus 8W is 52W.
2. kWh saved per year: watts saved ÷ 1,000 × hours per day × 365. At 3 hours a day, 52W saves about 57 kWh a year.
3. Money saved per year: kWh saved × your unit rate in pence per kWh.
4. Payback: LED price ÷ yearly saving.

The more bulbs on one switch and the longer they are on, the faster an LED pays back. A kitchen with six 50W halogen GU10s replaced by 5W LEDs saves 270W every hour those lights are on.

Corrections to our earlier chart

An earlier version of this page had some figures that did not match typical lamp data. We have corrected them:

Using the LED equivalent wattage chart

An LED equivalent wattage chart is a quick way to find the right replacement bulb. Find the lumens of the bulb you are replacing, pick an LED with similar lumens and the same cap, and then choose the colour temperature and dimming you need. Because lumen output varies, treat any chart as a guide and check the product details before you buy.

Need help choosing? Call our team on 028 8675 1515 (048 from ROI), Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.

Popular replacements include the Kosnic B22 LED GLS lamp, the Kosnic 4W GU10 in warm white and a 4W B22 filament candle lamp.

FAQs

What LED wattage is equivalent to a 60W bulb?

A 60W incandescent bulb gives about 800 lumens, so look for an LED of around 800 lumens. That is typically about 7W to 9W, depending on the bulb. The same LED also replaces a 42W halogen GLS or an 11W to 13W CFL. Always compare the lumen figure on the pack.

What LED is equivalent to a 100W bulb?

A 100W incandescent bulb gives about 1,500 lumens. A typical LED replacement uses about 13W to 16W and gives 1,500 lumens or more. The equivalent halogen GLS was usually about 70W, and the CFL about 20W to 23W. Check that the LED is physically suitable for your fitting, as high-output LEDs can be larger.

What LED GU10 replaces a 50W halogen?

A 50W halogen GU10 typically gives around 350 lumens. An LED GU10 of about 4W to 6W, giving 350 to 450 lumens, is a typical replacement. Choose the same beam angle, often 36° to 40°, so the light looks similar, and use a dimmable LED if the circuit has a dimmer.

Why do LED bulbs show an equivalent wattage?

For years people chose bulbs by watts, so LED packs often say something like 60W equivalent to help. The figure is only a guide to brightness. The reliable figure is lumens, which measures light output. The LED’s own wattage tells you how much electricity it actually uses.

How many lumens do I need for a room?

It depends on the room size, the ceiling height and the task. Living rooms and bedrooms are often lit with softer light from several sources, while kitchens and workspaces need more. A common starting point is to replace each old bulb with an LED of similar lumens, then adjust using dimmers or brighter lamps.

Are LED equivalent wattages exact?

No. Equivalent wattages are approximate, because lumen output varies between manufacturers, models and colour temperatures. Warm white LEDs can give slightly fewer lumens than cool white ones of the same wattage. Treat any chart as a guide and check the lumens, beam angle and colour temperature on the product.

Related guides

• Energy saving light bulbs: LED vs halogen vs CFL
• What are GU10 lamps?
• Can you use a dimmer switch on LED lights?
• LED downlights UK guide