Luminous Intensity / mcd → cd
Convert Millicandelas to Candelas
Convert luminous intensity in candela and SI multiples. Convert Millicandelas (mcd) to Candelas (cd). Find the formula, worked examples, unit definitions, and practical guidance below.
Reverse: Candelas to Millicandelas →
How to convert millicandelas to candelas
A candela equals one lumen per steradian. Total lumens require a known angular distribution; watts require spectral luminous efficacy. Obsolete candle standards are deliberately excluded.
Use x for the value in mcd, b for the intermediate value in cd, and y for the result in cd.
cd = mcd × 0.001
Worked examples
10 mcd ≈ 0.01 cd
Step 1: (10 × 0.001) ≈ 0.01 cd.
Step 2: 0.01 ÷ 1 ≈ 0.01 cd.20 mcd ≈ 0.02 cd
Step 1: (20 × 0.001) ≈ 0.02 cd.
Step 2: 0.02 ÷ 1 ≈ 0.02 cd.
Results are rounded to 12 significant digits. Converting units does not increase the precision of the original measurement. Very large or small values outside JavaScript’s finite numeric range are rejected.
About Millicandelas
Millicandelas (mcd) measures luminous intensity under the conventions above. The base value in cd is (x × 0.001), where x is the numerical value in mcd. Factors shown here are rounded for display; calculations use the stored factor.
About Candelas
Candelas (cd) measures luminous intensity under the conventions above. The base value in cd is (x × 1), where x is the numerical value in cd. Factors shown here are rounded for display; calculations use the stored factor.
Definitions and sources
Carry the same physical assumptions into subsequent physics calculations.
Millicandelas to candelas reference table
| Millicandelas (mcd) | Candelas (cd) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.001 |
| 5 | 0.005 |
| 10 | 0.01 |
| 25 | 0.025 |
| 50 | 0.05 |
| 100 | 0.1 |
| 1000 | 1 |
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