Are you shopping for a new pair of car headlights, such as LED or halogen? Whether you are upgrading your current set or just replacing a burned-out bulb, it is important to know how many lumens is a car headlight.
Lumen output indicates the brightness of the bulb and allows buyers to determine which light sources offer the best visibility for nighttime driving. In this blog post, we will explore how many lumens are needed in a car headlight so that you can be confident when making an informed purchase.
Answer:
Halogen headlights typically have a range of 700 to 1,200 lumens, which is decent for most driving conditions. If you opt for high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, you’ll get a brighter and crisper beam of 3,000 to 5,500 lumens. And for the brightest and most energy-efficient option, LED headlights range from 3,000 to 6,000 lumens.
What Are The Differences Between Halogen, HID, and LED Headlights?
The three main options are halogen, HID, and LED. While they all offer brighter light than traditional halogen lights, there are some differences to consider. HID lights use gas (typically xenon) while LED lights use electricity. Both options are more energy-intensive than halogen, but LEDs are slightly more efficient.
Here is a detailed table comparing the features of halogen, HID, and LED lights.
| Aspect | LED Lights | HID Lights |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 9,000-10,000 lumens | 8,000 lumens |
| Technology | Electricity | Gas (typically xenon) |
| Energy Use | High (slightly more energy-efficient) | High |
| Life Span | Up to 45,000 hours | Around 15,000 hours |
| Bulb Design | Diodes, locking tabs, heat sinks | Outer bulbs, inner chambers, electrodes, locking tabs |
| Price | Typically more expensive | Typically cheaper |
| Startup Time | Instant | Short delay for heating filament |
| Color | Range of colors | Range of colors |
| Distance | Up to 300 meters (about 985 feet) | Up to 300 meters (about 985 feet) |
Are LED Headlights Better Than HID?
While both use more energy than traditional headlights, LEDs are slightly more energy-efficient. Additionally, the life span of LED lights is impressively long, with some lasting up to 45,000 hours, while HID lights have a lifespan of around 15,000 hours.
What Are The Brightest Headlights Allowed By Law?
Regulations around headlight brightness, color, and other factors vary by state and at the federal level. However, to give you a general idea, federal guidelines specify that the maximum level of headlight brightness is 3,000 lumens. This number can be represented in different ways such as 3,000K, 3,000 LM, or 3,000 candelas.
If you’re buying a new car, it should already comply with the federal requirements. But if you’re looking to install aftermarket LED headlights, be sure to check that they don’t exceed the legal brightness limit.
Are LED Headlights Legal?
Yes, LED headlights are legal in all 50 states, provided they adhere to the brightness limits outlined by federal and state regulations. As long as the LED headlights you choose do not exceed 3,000 lumens in brightness, you can confidently install them without encountering any legal issues.
For example: If you plan to install LED headlights in your car, confirm that they have a maximum lumen output of 3,000 lumens or less. This is the safest way to ensure that your aftermarket LED headlights are legal.
Are Blue or Purple Headlights Legal?
While blue and purple HID or Xenon headlights may look cool, they aren’t usually legal. In fact, it’s impossible to produce HID conversion kits that meet federal guidelines for headlight brightness, according to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Plus, most states have laws requiring headlights to emit a white light instead of a blue light.
Do LED Headlights Cause Accidents?
Super bright LED headlights emit between 3,000 and 5,500 lumens, which is significantly brighter than the traditional halogen lights that emit between 700 and 1,200 lumens. This increased brightness can cause temporary vision issues for other drivers, which is a serious road safety problem.
However, headlight brightness is not a common contributing factor in collisions within town.
How To Choose LED vs. HID Headlights?
If you’re a daytime driver or looking for a short-term solution, halogen or HID lights might be your cheaper option. But if you’re someone who commutes nightly, investing in LED lights might be the way to go due to their brightness, quick starting, and extended life span. It’s important to also consider the location of where you’ll be driving. For those living in rural areas with minimal streetlights, switching to LED lights is highly recommended.
Where Can I Find Information About Headlight Specifications?
If you’re curious about the technical specifications of a car’s headlights, your best bet is to turn to the owner’s manual. By consulting the index or table of contents, you’ll easily be able to locate the relevant information about headlight sizes and wattage.
FAQs aboout How Many Lumens Is A Car Headlight
Is 1200 lumens bright for headlights?
Yes, 1200 lumens is generally considered bright enough for most driving conditions. Halogen headlights typically have a range of 700 to 1,200 lumens.
How many lumens are legal for car headlights?
The maximum level of headlight brightness allowed by law is 3,000 lumens. This number can be represented in different ways such as 3,000K, 3,000 LM, or 3,000 candelas.
Are brighter headlights better?
Brighter headlights can be beneficial in certain situations, such as driving at night or in foggy weather. However, care must be taken to ensure that the lights are not too bright and do not cause a safety hazard. It is best to stick with the legal maximum brightness of 3,000 lumens.
Do LED headlights last longer?
The answer is yes. With a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours, LED headlights can last an entire vehicle lifetime. This projected lifespan is up to 10 times longer than halogens. However, although LED headlights do last longer, they do come with a higher price tag when it comes to replacements.
How many lumens is good for LED headlights?
LED headlights can produce up to 5,500 lumens, but the legal limit for brightness is 3,000 lumens. For best results, stick with LED headlights in the 3,000 lumen range or lower. This will ensure that your headlights are bright enough for driving at night and still comply with legal requirements.
Conclusion
The amount of lumens in a car headlight is an important factor to consider when shopping for a new set of headlights. Halogen typically offers 700 to 1,200 lumens, HID lights range from 3,000-5,500 lumens, and LEDs range between 3,000-6,000 lumens. It’s important to be aware that brighter isn’t necessarily better—some states have legal limits for how many lumens are allowed in a headlight.
I’m Timothy Ballard, owner of a used car dealership in Springfield. I love just about everything automotive, but I have a special place in my heart for trucks. I’m an ASE Certified Master Technician, so I know my way around a car. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling with my family and hiking new trails.