Luminous Intensity Converter
Luminous intensity is the light emitted by a source in a given direction, weighted for human eye sensitivity. The candela is one of the seven SI base units. Before 1948 the reference was a physical flame standard, which is why units like the Hefner candle and carcel still appear in older lighting literature.
14 units supported Base unit candela (cd)
Candelas and Candlepower are the same size, so the value does not change. How this is calculated
About luminous intensity conversion
Luminous Intensity conversion is commonly needed when LED specifications, torch ratings, and lighting standards.
Convert Candela to other luminous intensity units
1 cd expressed in every other luminous intensity unit on this site.
- Candela cd 1
- Kilocandela kcd 0.001
- Millicandela mcd 1,000
- Microcandela µcd 1,000,000
- Lumen per Steradian lm/sr 1
- Candlepower cp 1
- Candle (international) cd (int) 0.98135427
- Candle (decimal) cd (dec) 1
- Candle (German) cd (Ger) 1.1074197
- Candle (pentane) cd (pent) 1
- Pentane Candle (10 candle power) cd (pent-10) 0.1
- Candle (UK) cd (UK) 0.96
- Carcel Unit carcel 0.10405827
- Violle violle 0.049019608
Complete list of luminous intensity units
All 14 units this converter supports, each stated against the candela (cd).
| Unit | Symbol | System | In candelas | Conversions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candela | cd | SI | base unit (cd) | — |
| Kilocandela | kcd | SI | 1 kcd = 1,000 cd | — |
| Millicandela | mcd | SI | 1 mcd = 0.001 cd | — |
| Microcandela | µcd | SI | 1 µcd = 0.000001 cd | — |
| Lumen per Steradian | lm/sr | SI | 1 lm/sr = 1 cd | — |
| Candlepower | cp | Other | 1 cp = 1 cd | — |
| Candle (international) | cd (int) | Other | 1 cd (int) = 1.019 cd | — |
| Candle (decimal) | cd (dec) | Other | 1 cd (dec) = 1 cd | — |
| Candle (German) | cd (Ger) | Other | 1 cd (Ger) = 0.903 cd | — |
| Candle (pentane) | cd (pent) | Other | 1 cd (pent) = 1 cd | — |
| Pentane Candle (10 candle power) | cd (pent-10) | Other | 1 cd (pent-10) = 10 cd | — |
| Candle (UK) | cd (UK) | Imperial | 1 cd (UK) = 1.04166666667 cd | — |
| Carcel Unit | carcel | Other | 1 carcel = 9.61 cd | — |
| Violle | violle | Other | 1 violle = 20.4 cd | — |
No unit in this category matches that search.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the base unit for luminous intensity?
Luminous Intensity conversions on this site are calculated against the candela (cd).
Which luminous intensity units can I convert?
You can convert between 14 units, including candela, kilocandela, millicandela, microcandela, and more.
Where is luminous intensity conversion useful?
It is commonly needed when LED specifications, torch ratings, and lighting standards.
Does this converter mix measurement systems?
The converter supports SI, Other, Imperial units and keeps their exact definitions separate so results stay accurate.
Related categories
Conversion factors are based on internationally agreed unit definitions. See our methodology and sources for details on how these values are verified.