Decoding LED screen brightness: a complete technical guide from nits to lumens

Part 1: Introduction

Have you ever wondered why some LED screens seem to shine brighter than others? That’s the matter we are going to talk about: LED screen brightness.

Or when you want to buy an LED screen, are you always confused by the professional words “nit” and “lumen”?

Don’t worry—here, you’ll find all the answers to these questions. Let‘s get started now!

Part 2: What is LED Screen Brightness?

(1) What is Brightness?

LED screen brightness refers to the luminous intensity per unit area of ​​an LED display in a specific direction, measured in cd/m² or nits. (1 nit = 1 cd/m²).

Assuming there are 1000 LED beads on a 1㎡ LED display screen, and each LED bead has a brightness of 5 candela (cd), the brightness of this screen is 1000 beads × 5 cd/㎡ = 5000 nits.

It is a core performance indicator of a full-color LED screen.

Different application scenarios have significantly different brightness requirements.

For example:

• Indoor LED screens typically range from 600 to 1200 nits.
• Outdoor LED displays might offer brightness levels of up to 5500 nits or more.

(2) The Power of Brightness

When it comes to LED screens, brightness is often the first thing that catches the eye.

It’s a key factor in determining how well the screen performs in different lighting conditions.

Simply put, a brighter screen can offer better visibility, making it easier to watch.

For instance, if you’re outside on a sunny day, a high-brightness LED display ensures that you can still see what’s on display without straining your eyes.

(3) Importance of LED Screen Brightness

• Improved Viewing Experience

Brightness greatly affects the enjoyment and immersion of LED screen content.

For indoor environments, proper brightness ensures a comfortable viewing experience, while excessive brightness can cause glare.

In bright outdoor environments, higher brightness will enhance color accuracy and contrast of LED displays. It makes images and videos more vivid and realistic.

• Impact on Energy and Longevity

LED display brightness affects energy consumption and the lifespan of the display.

Higher brightness levels can increase power usage and heat, potentially shortening the display’s life.

Balancing brightness helps reduce energy consumption and extend the display’s longevity.

• Color Performance

Proper brightness ensures accurate color representation.

Too much brightness can lead to color distortion, while optimal brightness maintains vibrant and true-to-life colors.

Part 3: Nits vs Lumens

(1) What Are Nits?

Firstly, let’s talk about nits. Imagine you’re at a concert, and the lights on the stage are blinding. You might say the lights are “intense” or “brilliant.”

In the world of LED displays, that intensity is quantified by a unit of brightness called nits.

Specifically, the nit is a unit of measurement. It describes the amount of light emitted from a display surface per unit area.

Technically, one nit equals one candela per square meter (cd/m²). The higher the number of nits, the brighter the screen.

The more nits a display has, the better it can handle bright environments. This means you’ll still see clear and vibrant images even in direct sunlight.

Brightness (nits) is a core indicator of how the human eye perceives light and darkness.

• The same total light output (lumens) will appear very high (very bright) if concentrated over a small area.
• If dispersed over a large area, the nit value will be very low (very dark).

Nits are used to indicate the “visual brightness” of a display device or luminous surface. For example:

(2) What Are Lumens?

Now, let’s turn our attention to lumens. Lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a source.

You can think of lumens as the total “volume” of light emitted from the projector.

If you’re buying a projector, the lumen rating will tell you how bright the image will be.

Higher lumens mean the image is clearly visible even in well-lit rooms.

Lumens are used to indicate the luminous output of a light source. For example:

(3) Difference Between Nits and Lumens (Nits VS Lumens)

They sound similar, but nits and lumens measure different aspects of light.

Nits measure brightness per unit area of the screen. This relates to the intensity of light on a specific point of the screen.

Lumens measure how much light is emitted, regardless of the distribution of light.

Think of it like this: if nits are about the concentration of light on a screen, lumens are about the total light emitted by a projector.

1 Nit is equal to 3.426 lumens.

Part 4: Impact of the Brightness Range of Different LED Screens

(1) High Brightness LED Display

A high-brightness LED screen ensures that you can see the content clearly even in bright environments.

For instance, outdoor LED video billboards and stadium screens often have brightness levels ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 nits.

This high brightness is crucial for visibility during the day or in direct sunlight.

(2) Low Brightness Display

In contrast, screens with lower brightness levels are usually sufficient for indoor use.

For example, many computer monitors and TVs have brightness levels between 250 and 500 nits.

These are designed for typical indoor lighting conditions.

(3) Factors Affecting LED Display Brightness

What factors affect the brightness of an LED screen?

• LED chip quality: Directly affects luminous efficiency.
• Drive current: Higher current results in higher brightness, but may reduce lifespan.
• Ambient light: Higher brightness is needed outdoors to combat sunlight.
• Grayscale level: A Higher grayscale level improves visual brightness.
• Refresh rate: A high refresh rate reduces flicker and improves visual comfort.

The impact of excessively high/low brightness on LED screen performance:

Part 5: How Much Brightness Does an LED Screen Need?

When choosing an LED screen, it’s important to match its brightness to your environment.

Different settings require different levels of brightness to ensure that your screen is clear and easy to view.

(1) Suitable Brightness For LED Displays

The typical brightness needs for indoor and outdoor LED displays are summarized in the table below.

The effect of viewing distance on brightness parameter calculation:

Optimal brightness (nit) = viewing distance (meters) x 100.

For example, 5000 nits is required when viewing from 50 meters away.

(2) Flexible Brightness Adjustment

For rental LED displays, brightness adjustability is particularly important.

High-end LED displays, equipped with precision dimming systems and technologies such as wide color gamut, high contrast, and high refresh rates, can flexibly adjust brightness to changes in ambient lighting and varying viewing needs.

This ensures a balance between brightness and image quality, reducing procurement and operating costs.

Part 6: How to Adjust LED Screen Brightness?

To adjust the brightness of an LED display, you can use two main methods:

• Current Adjustment

By changing the current flowing through the LEDs (typically around 20mA), you can directly control their brightness.

The brightness of each LED  is generally proportional to the current, though red LEDs might saturate at lower currents compared to other colors.

• Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

Another technique is to use high refresh rates to eliminate grayscale by periodically changing the optical pulse width.

Due to its ability to precisely control the greyscale and its compatibility with digital microcontrollers, PWM is widely used in modern LED displays.

Part 7: Dynamic Brightness Technology

(1) What Is Dynamic Brightness Technology?

Today’s LED screens often use dynamic brightness technology.

Dynamic brightness technology has changed the game for modern LED screens.

It not only improves image clarity and reduces eye fatigue, but also extends the life of the screen and reduces energy costs.

This ensures that it provides a more comfortable and efficient viewing experience.

The core of dynamic brightness technology is the use of a light sensor. The light sensor is built into the LED display.

Its main function is to measure the amount of light in the environment around the screen.

(2) How It Works

• Light Measurement

The sensor continuously monitors the light around the screen. In a bright environment, it detects higher light levels; In a dim room, it detects lower light levels.

• Automatic Adjustment

The device’s software receives this information and adjusts the screen brightness accordingly.

For example, if you are watching an LED screen in a bright room and then suddenly turn off the lights, the screen will automatically dim to accommodate the new light conditions.

Dynamic Brightness Technology is like having a smart assistant for your screen’s brightness.

By understanding and utilizing this technology, you can make the most out of your LED screens, whether you’re watching a movie or working on a project.

Part 8: Conclusion

The brightness of an LED screen is not just a specification of the product details.

It plays a vital role in visibility, viewing experience, battery life, and overall comfort.

Whether you’re outdoors in the bright sunshine or enjoying a movie at night, the right screen brightness will improve your digital experience.