Choosing the right brightness is one of the most important decisions in projection mapping. Too dim, and your visuals disappear. Too bright, and you overspend on hardware. This guide provides practical formulas and real recommendations for cities, festivals, tourism boards and businesses.

The Core Formula

To estimate brightness per square foot:

Lumens ÷ Surface Area = Brightness Level

• 80–150 lux = usable for low ambient light
• 150–250 lux = ideal for city buildings
• 300+ lux = premium brightness for events

Brightness Recommendations (Real World)

• Small buildings (20–40 ft wide): 4k–6k lumens
• Medium buildings (40–60 ft wide): 7k–10k lumens
• Large city buildings: 12k–25k lumens
• Inflatables/tents: 5k–8k lumens
• Ground projections: 7k–20k lumens (distance loss)

Ambient Light Factors

• Streetlights
• Adjacent signage
• Building façade brightness
• Nearby stages

Next Steps

Send photos of your location and we’ll calculate your ideal brightness directly: contact us.

Correct brightness ensures your audience sees every detail, even in challenging environments.