{"id":29000,"date":"2026-10-15T16:34:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T13:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altonray.com\/en\/office-lighting-ugr-lux-ergonomic\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T10:46:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T07:16:33","slug":"office-lighting-ugr-lux-ergonomic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altonray.com\/en\/office-lighting-ugr-lux-ergonomic\/","title":{"rendered":"Office LED Lighting: UGR Standard, Desk Lux and Eye Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Good office lighting is not only about brightness. Glare, uneven light, flicker and the wrong colour temperature cause eye strain, headaches and lower concentration, even when the lux level looks fine on paper. This guide explains the key numbers from the European standard EN 12464-1<\/strong> (UGR, desk lux, uniformity and CRI) and shows how to choose LED panels and luminaires for a healthy, efficient workplace.<\/p>\n

Looking for fixtures? Explore Alton Ray office LED lighting<\/a>, including the 60×60 LED panel range, and linear LED lighting<\/a> for open-plan spaces.<\/p>\n

Key Office Lighting Requirements (EN 12464-1)<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Area \/ task<\/th>\nMaintained illuminance (Em)<\/th>\nUGR limit<\/th>\nUniformity (Uo)<\/th>\nMin. CRI (Ra)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Writing, typing, reading, computer work<\/td>\n500 lux<\/td>\n< 19<\/td>\n0.60<\/td>\n80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Technical drawing \/ CAD<\/td>\n750 lux<\/td>\n< 16<\/td>\n0.70<\/td>\n80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Meeting and conference rooms<\/td>\n500 lux<\/td>\n< 19<\/td>\n0.60<\/td>\n80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reception desk<\/td>\n300 lux<\/td>\n< 22<\/td>\n0.60<\/td>\n80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Archives<\/td>\n200 lux<\/td>\n< 25<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Corridors<\/td>\n100 lux<\/td>\n< 28<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

What Is UGR and Why Must It Be Below 19?<\/h2>\n

UGR (Unified Glare Rating)<\/strong> measures discomfort glare from luminaires in the field of view. The scale typically runs from 10 (no perceptible glare) to 30 (intolerable glare). For screen work, EN 12464-1 requires UGR < 19<\/strong>. Above this value, bright spots in the ceiling reflect on monitors and force the eye to constantly adapt, which leads to fatigue within a few hours.<\/p>\n

Low-glare panels achieve UGR < 19 with a micro-prismatic (MPR) diffuser<\/strong> or a deep anti-glare louvre that limits luminance at high viewing angles. Standard opal diffusers usually give UGR 22\u201325, which is fine for corridors but not for workstations. Always check the UGR value in the luminaire datasheet, calculated for your room size.<\/p>\n

Desk Illuminance: Is 500 Lux Enough?<\/h2>\n

500 lux on the task area is the baseline for office work. The area immediately surrounding the desk should receive at least 300 lux, and the background at least one third of the task level, so the eye does not jump between very bright and very dark zones. Older employees need noticeably more light: a 60-year-old eye receives roughly a third of the light that a 20-year-old eye does, so 750 lux at desks for older teams is a sensible design target.<\/p>\n

Also consider vertical illuminance<\/strong> (light on walls and faces). Bright walls and ceilings make a room feel open and support video calls, while a dark ceiling over a well-lit desk creates a “cave effect”.<\/p>\n

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Want UGR < 19 Without the Guesswork?<\/h3>\n

Share your room sizes and ceiling type. We recommend the right 60×60 LED panel and confirm desk lux and glare with a free DIALux study.<\/p>\n

Request a Free Office Study<\/a>Browse Office LED Lighting<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Low-Glare Office Panels<\/h2>\n

60×60 recessed and surface panels for desks and meeting rooms. See all \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

\"SorenaSorena \u2013 Surface Office light \u2013 60*60 Code OS51<\/span>View Product<\/span><\/a>\"SorenaSorena \u2013 Surface Office light \u2013 60*60 Code OS52<\/span>View Product<\/span><\/a>\"SarinaSarina \u2013 Recessed Office Light \u2013 60\u00d760 Code OR24<\/span>View Product<\/span><\/a>\"SarinaSarina \u2013 Recessed Office Light \u2013 60\u00d760 Code OR21<\/span>View Product<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Uniformity, Colour Rendering and Colour Temperature<\/h2>\n