16×18 kitchen:
20 lights
20 fixtures A 16×18 ft kitchen (288 sq ft) needs approximately 20 recessed lights at 800 lumens each — about 15,643 lumens in total — laid out 5 across by 4 deep.
Space them 3.6 ft apart along the 18 ft wall and 4 ft apart along the 16 ft wall, starting 1.8 ft from the end walls.
The ceiling plan
Drawn to scale, with each fixture at its computed position and the pale circles showing roughly where each one lands on the working plane.
Same room, different fixtures
If you have already chosen a fitting, read across from its lumen output.
| Fixture output | Rough equivalent | Fixtures needed | Suggested grid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 450 lm | 40 W incandescent | 36 | 6 × 6 |
| 650 lm | 50 W incandescent | 25 | 5 × 5 |
| 800 lm | 60 W incandescent | 20 | 5 × 4 |
| 1000 lm | 75 W incandescent | 16 | 4 × 4 |
| 1200 lm | 100 W incandescent | 12 | 4 × 3 |
Fewer, brighter fixtures give more contrast; more, dimmer fixtures give flatter, more even light. Both rows deliver the same total.
How the 20 was calculated
| Target illuminance for a kitchen | 300 lux | published range 300–500 lux |
|---|---|---|
| Floor area | 26.8 m² | 288 sq ft |
| Mounting height above the working plane | 5 ft | 8 ft ceiling, 3.0 ft working plane |
| Room index | 1.68 | (L × W) ÷ (Hm × (L + W)) |
| Utilisation factor | 0.64 | from the room index, light surfaces |
| Maintenance factor | 0.8 | dirt and lamp depreciation |
| Lumens required | 15,643 lm | 300 × 26.8 ÷ (0.64 × 0.8) |
| Fixtures at 800 lm | 20 | delivering about 307 lux |
Worktops are the critical surface, so a kitchen needs roughly double a living room. Under-cabinet lighting handles the task layer; ceiling fixtures handle the rest.
Other ceiling heights
| Ceiling | Fixtures | Grid | Spacing | Max spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 20 | 5 × 4 | 3.6′ × 4′ | 6.6′ |
| 9 ft | 20 | 5 × 4 | 3.6′ × 4′ | 7.9′ |
| 10 ft | 25 | 5 × 5 | 3.6′ × 3.2′ | 9.2′ |
| 12 ft | 25 | 5 × 5 | 3.6′ × 3.2′ | 11.8′ |
Questions
How many recessed lights do I need for a 16x18 kitchen?
About 20 fixtures at 800 lumens each, arranged 5 across by 4 deep. That gives roughly 307 lux across 288 square feet, against a target of 300 lux for a kitchen.
How many lumens does a 16x18 kitchen need?
Roughly 15,643 lumens in total. That comes from 300 lux over 26.8 m², divided by a utilisation factor of 0.64 and a maintenance factor of 0.8 — the light that never reaches the working plane has to be paid for up front.
How far apart should the lights be in a 16x18 room?
3.6 ft apart along the 18 ft wall and 4 ft apart along the 16 ft wall, with the outer row about 1.8 ft in from the end walls — half a spacing. With a 8 ft ceiling the maximum sensible spacing is around 6.6 ft before the floor starts to show scallops.
Does the ceiling height change the answer?
Yes, in two ways. A higher ceiling spreads each fixture's light over a wider area, so fixtures can sit further apart — but it also drops the light level reaching the floor, so a taller room generally needs more total lumens. At 8 ft the room index works out at 1.68, giving a utilisation factor of 0.64.
Computed with the lumen method — see how it works and where it is weak. Planning guidance only, not an electrical design. Fixture counts are a starting point — follow your local wiring rules and use a licensed electrician for the installation.