How many nits is 1 cd/m²?

Exactly 1 nit. The nit is defined as 1 candela per square meter, so the two units are identical. No conversion factor is needed — the values are always equal.

What is a nit used for?

Nit is the informal name for cd/m² used almost exclusively in the display and lighting industries. TV, monitor, and projector brightness are routinely quoted in nits rather than the formal SI symbol cd/m².

How do I convert cd/m² to foot-lambert?

Multiply by π × 0.09290304, or approximately 0.29186. For example, 500 cd/m² × 0.29186 ≈ 145.93 fL. This follows from 1 foot-lambert = 1/π candela per square foot.

How do I convert cd/m² to lambert?

Multiply by π/10000. Since 1 lambert = 10000/π cd/m², we get 1 cd/m² = π/10000 L ≈ 3.14159×10⁻⁴ L. For example, 500 cd/m² ≈ 0.15708 L.

What is a typical screen brightness in nits?

Typical laptop screens fall between 250–400 nits. Smartphone displays range from 400–1000 nits. HDR televisions target 1000–4000 nits for peak highlights, and professional cinema projectors often aim for about 14 fL (roughly 48 cd/m²) on the screen surface.

Candela per Square Meter to Nit Converter

Enter a cd/m² value and get the equivalent in nit, foot-lambert, and lambert instantly. 1 cd/m² = 1 nit exactly.

Candela per Square Meter to Nit

Luminance in cd/m²

Enter a cd/m² value above to see all equivalents.

nit: value × 1 (identical unit)

foot-lambert: value × 0.29186

lambert: value × π ÷ 10,000

Common Luminance Reference Values

Source / Display	cd/m² (nit)	fL

Click any row to load that value into the converter.

Summary

Candela per square meter (cd/m²) and nit are the same luminance unit — "nit" is simply the common name used in display and screen contexts. This converter confirms the 1:1 relationship and also computes foot-lambert and lambert equivalents so you can cross-reference specs from different industries. All math runs in your browser with no data sent to a server.

How it works

Enter any luminance value in candela per square meter (cd/m²) in the input field.
The converter applies the 1:1 identity — nit equals cd/m² exactly.
Foot-lambert is calculated by multiplying by 0.29186 (1 cd/m² ≈ 0.29186 fL).
Lambert is calculated by multiplying by π/10000 ≈ 3.14159×10⁻⁴ L.
All results update in real time as you type; copy any value with one click.

Use cases

Confirm that a display panel spec listed in cd/m² matches its nit rating.
Convert screen brightness specs between nits and foot-lamberts for cinema projector work.
Cross-check luminance readings from a photometer against display manufacturer specs.
Translate lambert-based legacy photometric data into the modern SI unit cd/m².
Verify HDR peak-brightness claims (e.g. 1000 nit = 1000 cd/m²) for consumer displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-14 · Reviewed by Nham Vu