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What Is the Light Level Around You?

Measure the ambient light level around your device in lux using the built-in light sensor. Monitor brightness changes in real time for display calibration or workspace assessment — all processed locally in your browser.

This test reads the device's ambient light sensor via the AmbientLightSensor API, reporting illuminance in lux with real-time updates to show how environmental light levels change over time.

A typical office is 300–500 lux, direct sunlight reaches 100,000 lux, and a moonlit night is about 0.1 lux. Display auto-brightness uses this same sensor to adjust screen level.

lux
Illuminance
Level

What Do Your Results Mean?

Result Range Meaning
Good 300–500 lux (typical office or well-lit room) Your environment has comfortable lighting for screen use. Auto-brightness should function well, and eye strain risk is low at this level.
Warning Below 100 lux or above 1,000 lux Low light may cause eye strain if screen brightness is too high relative to surroundings. Very bright environments may make screens hard to read — consider adjusting screen brightness or repositioning.
Poor Sensor unavailable or reading 0 lux consistently The Ambient Light Sensor API may not be supported in your browser or on your device. Chrome requires enabling the Generic Sensor Extra Classes flag. Some devices lack a dedicated light sensor.

Common Issues & Solutions

Sensor not available or permission denied

The Ambient Light Sensor API requires HTTPS and may need a browser flag enabled. In Chrome, navigate to chrome://flags and enable 'Generic Sensor Extra Classes'. Firefox does not support this API. Grant sensor permissions when prompted.

Readings stay at 0 or do not change

Your device may not have a dedicated ambient light sensor, or a case or screen protector may be covering the sensor. Check your device specifications and ensure nothing is blocking the sensor area near the front camera.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is lux and what do the numbers mean?

Lux is the SI unit of illuminance, measuring how much light falls on a surface. Common references: moonlight is 0.1 lux, a dim room is 50 lux, an office is 300–500 lux, overcast daylight is 10,000 lux, and direct sunlight reaches 100,000 lux.

Which browsers support the Ambient Light Sensor API?

Currently, Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Opera) support the API when the Generic Sensor Extra Classes flag is enabled. Firefox and Safari do not support it. The page must be served over HTTPS.

Can I use this to calibrate my screen brightness?

Yes. Knowing your ambient light level helps you set appropriate screen brightness. As a guideline, screen brightness should roughly match the ambient light level — around 120 nits for a 300 lux office, and higher in brighter environments.

Is any data sent to a server?

No. All sensor readings are captured locally via the AmbientLightSensor API in your browser. No data is transmitted to any external server.