How Many Lumens Do You Need for a 20-Foot Ceiling? A Complete Guide

How Many Lumens Do You Need for a 20-Foot Ceiling? A Complete Guide

When it comes to lighting large spaces like warehouses, gyms, or industrial facilities, ceiling height plays a crucial role in determining the right light output. If you have a 20-foot ceiling, standard lighting just won't cut it. You need powerful, efficient fixtures that can deliver the required lumens from such a height without compromising visibility or energy efficiency. In this guide, we’ll break down how many lumens are needed for a 20-foot ceiling and why UFO LED High Bay Lights are the top choice for this application.


What Are Lumens and Why Do They Matter?

Lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. In simpler terms, the more lumens, the brighter the light. When you're lighting a space with a high ceiling, lumens are critical because light must travel a longer distance to effectively illuminate the area below.

Lumens Requirement for a 20-Foot Ceiling

As a rule of thumb, the required lumens per square foot (also known as foot-candles) vary depending on the application:

  • Warehouses & Storage Areas: 10-30 foot-candles

  • Workshops & Garages: 30-50 foot-candles

  • Retail Spaces or Gyms: 50-80 foot-candles

Let’s say you have a 1,000 sq. ft. space with a 20-foot ceiling used as a gym:

  • You’ll need roughly 50-80 foot-candles.

  • 1,000 sq. ft. x 50 foot-candles = 50,000 lumens (minimum)

  • 1,000 sq. ft. x 80 foot-candles = 80,000 lumens (for brighter lighting)

That means you need lighting fixtures that can cumulatively produce between 50,000 to 80,000 lumens.

ufo led high bay lights

Why Use UFO LED High Bay Lights for 20-Foot Ceilings?

UFO LED High Bay Lights are specifically engineered for high-ceiling environments. Their round, compact design allows them to distribute light evenly across wide areas without glare or hotspots. Here’s why they’re ideal:

  • High Lumen Output: Each fixture can emit 15,000 to 35,000+ lumens.

  • Energy Efficiency: Up to 140 lumens per watt, dramatically lowering electricity bills.

  • Durability: Made with industrial-grade aluminum housing and advanced heat sinks.

  • Long Lifespan: 50,000+ hours of maintenance-free lighting.

  • Easy Installation: Comes with hook mounts and is compatible with motion sensors or dimming systems.

For a 20-foot ceiling, we recommend using 150W to 240W UFO LED High Bay Lights, depending on the total lumens required.

Example Configuration

Let’s say you choose 200W UFO LED High Bay Lights producing 30,000 lumens each:

  • To reach 60,000 lumens total, you would need 2-3 fixtures (depending on spacing and layout).

Always consider spacing and beam angle for uniform light distribution. For a 20-foot ceiling, a beam angle of 90° to 120° is typically best.

FAQs About UFO LED High Bay Lights for 20-Foot Ceilings

Q: Can I use standard LED shop lights for a 20-foot ceiling? A: Not recommended. Standard LED shop lights don't have enough lumen output or beam control for high ceilings. UFO LED High Bay Lights are designed for this purpose.

Q: How high should I mount UFO LED High Bay Lights on a 20-foot ceiling? A: They should be mounted 18-20 feet high for optimal coverage. Make sure the beam angle and spacing are suitable for your space.

Q: Are UFO LED High Bay Lights dimmable? A: Yes, most models support 0-10V dimming and can be paired with motion sensors or smart controllers.

Q: How many UFO LED High Bay Lights do I need for my warehouse? A: It depends on your total square footage and desired brightness. Divide your total lumen needs by the lumen output of each fixture to determine quantity.


Final Thoughts

Choosing the right lighting for a 20-foot ceiling isn’t just about brightness—it’s about performance, energy savings, and long-term durability. UFO LED High Bay Lights offer the perfect balance of power and efficiency, making them the go-to solution for commercial and industrial spaces. Whether you're upgrading your warehouse or outfitting a new gym, investing in quality high bay lighting ensures safety, productivity, and comfort.

Looking to light up your 20-foot ceiling? Choose UFO LED High Bay Lights for unmatched performance and efficiency.