Hey! Thanks for checking out our work on grow lights, we hope you've found it useful.

Just wanted to share a few

tips to help you get the most out of this file.

Step
1) Remember that this a 'live' file hosted online. It is possible that you are not the only person in the file and
making edits. Changes you make can and will be seen by other users, and visa versa. Please play nice.
2) The cells that require inputs have a light colored background. These all need to be populated in order for
the formulas to work
3) Be careful with units. A lot of this math is easier to do in metric units than imperial so that's how we've done
them. Units have been clearly indicated where relevant. You've been warned, Americans! (and let's be
honest it's about time you learned how to use the metric system anyway)
4) The table below will help you figure out which sheet you need

Sheet Inputs Outputs

2. DLI for a Round Grow Area
3. DLI for Rectangular Grow Area
4. Running cost
5. Duration
Details of your E26/screw in grow
light
Details of your linear grow light, or
grow light bar
Wattage + Electricity Cost
Plant Selection
Daily Light Integral (DLI)
Daily Light Integral (DLI)
Annual running cost
The PPFD your grow light needs to
generate. Use Sheets #2 or 3 to
make sense of this.
2. DLI Estimator (for E26 globes / round grow area)
A B A vs B units Notes

Grow Light Wattage 600 28 2043% Watts

Efficacy (PPF/W) 2.9 - umol/j - A good screw-in bulb is typically 1 - 1.1. Panel LEDs offer more like 2 - 2.3.

CU - - If you are unsure, assume something in the 0.75 - 0.95 range

PPF 0 0 - umol/s

Plant-to-light distance 0.6 0.3 100% meters

Plant-to-light distance 23.6 11.8 100% inches
Beam Angle (degrees) 150 120 25% degrees

Illuminated Area 1.06 0.21 398% m2

PPFD 0 0 - umol/m2/s

Illuminated time per day 14 12 17% hours

Illuminated time per day 50,400 43,200 17% seconds

DLI 0.0 0.0 - mol/m2/day

3. DLI Estimator (for rectangular grow area)
A B A vs B units Notes

Grow Light Wattage 1000 10 9900% Watts

Efficacy (PPF/W) 2.9 1 190% umol/j - A good screw-in bulb is typically 1 - 1.1. Panel LEDs offer more like 2 - 2.3.

CU 0.75 0.75 0% - If you are unsure, assume something in the 0.75 - 0.95 range

PPF 2175 7.5 28900% umol/s

Illuminated Area (W) 2 0.12 1567% m - note that the width and depth of your grow area is going to be a function of i) distance from grow light, and ii) beam angle
Illuminated Area (D) 2 0.23 770% m

Illuminated Area (W x D) 4.0000 0.0276 14393% m2

PPFD 544 272 100% umol/m2/s

Illuminated time per day 10 16 -38% hours

Illuminated time per day 36,000 57,600 -38% seconds

DLI 19.58 15.65 25% mol/m2/day

3. DLI Estimator (for rectangular grow area)
A B A vs B units Notes

Grow Light Wattage 60 200 -70% Watts

Efficacy (PPF/W) 2 2 0% umol/j - A good screw-in bulb is typically 1 - 1.1. Panel LEDs offer more like 2 - 2.3.

CU 0.9 0.9 0% - If you are unsure, assume something in the 0.75 - 0.95 range

PPF 108 360 -70% umol/s

Illuminated Area (W) 1 2 -50% m - note that the width and depth of your grow area is going to be a function of i) distance from grow light, and ii) beam angle
Illuminated Area (D) 0.4 2 -80% m

Illuminated Area (W x D) 0.4000 4.0000 -90% m2

PPFD 270 90 200% umol/m2/s

Illuminated time per day 16 16 0% hours

Illuminated time per day 57,600 57,600 0% seconds

DLI 15.55 5.18 200% mol/m2/day

4. Annual Running Costs
Grow Light Wattage 10 W
Grow Light Wattage 0.01 kW

Hours per day of usage 18 hrs/day

Electricty consumption per day 0.180 kWh/day
Electricty consumption per year 65.7 kWh/year

Electricity price 0.11 cents/kWh

Annual Electricity Cost 0.07 $ per year

5. Light Duration and Intensity

Plant Selection: Lettuce (Leaf) Ideal Light Duration (hrs/day) 8

Long Or Short Day? Long Min Typical High

DLI (mol/m2/day) 9 12 18
Is Flowering Desirable? No

TABLE 1 Use this if you have a PAR meter (better)

Light Duration (Hours Per Day)

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
250 3.6 4.5 5.4 6.3 7.2 8.1 9.0 9.9 10.8 11.7 12.6 13.5 14.4 250
300 4.3 5.4 6.5 7.6 8.6 9.7 10.8 11.9 13.0 14.0 15.1 16.2 17.3 300
350 5.0 6.3 7.6 8.8 10.1 11.3 12.6 13.9 15.1 16.4 17.6 18.9 20.2 350
PPFD (umol/m2/s)

400 5.8 7.2 8.6 10.1 11.5 13.0 14.4 15.8 17.3 18.7 20.2 21.6 23.0 400
450 6.5 8.1 9.7 11.3 13.0 14.6 16.2 17.8 19.4 21.1 22.7 24.3 25.9 450
500 7.2 9.0 10.8 12.6 14.4 16.2 18.0 19.8 21.6 23.4 25.2 27.0 28.8 500
550 7.9 9.9 11.9 13.9 15.8 17.8 19.8 21.8 23.8 25.7 27.7 29.7 31.7 550
600 8.6 10.8 13.0 15.1 17.3 19.4 21.6 23.8 25.9 28.1 30.2 32.4 34.6 600
650 9.4 11.7 14.0 16.4 18.7 21.1 23.4 25.7 28.1 30.4 32.8 35.1 37.4 650
700 10.1 12.6 15.1 17.6 20.2 22.7 25.2 27.7 30.2 32.8 35.3 37.8 40.3 700
^
Note: To make sense of these PPFD values, go back to sheet #2 or 3. The important value is on row 18.
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0

TABLE 2 Use this if you are relying on a lux meter, for example on your phone (not ideal, but it will do)

Red + Blue LED 450+650 nm 0.089

Light Duration (Hours Per Day)

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
2,000 2.6 3.2 3.8 4.5 5.1 5.7 6.4 7.0 7.7 8.3 8.9 9.6 10.2 2000
5,000 6.4 8.0 9.6 11.2 12.8 14.4 16.0 17.6 19.2 20.8 22.4 24.0 25.6 5000
8,000 10.2 12.8 15.3 17.9 20.4 23.0 25.6 28.1 30.7 33.2 35.8 38.3 40.9 8000
11,000 14.1 17.6 21.1 24.6 28.1 31.6 35.1 38.7 42.2 45.7 49.2 52.7 56.2 11000
14,000 17.9 22.4 26.8 31.3 35.8 40.2 44.7 49.2 53.7 58.1 62.6 67.1 71.6 14000
LUX

17,000 21.7 27.2 32.6 38.0 43.4 48.9 54.3 59.7 65.2 70.6 76.0 81.5 86.9 17000
20,000 25.6 31.9 38.3 44.7 51.1 57.5 63.9 70.3 76.7 83.1 89.4 95.8 102.2 20000
23,000 29.4 36.7 44.1 51.4 58.8 66.1 73.5 80.8 88.2 95.5 102.9 110.2 117.5 23000
26,000 33.2 41.5 49.8 58.1 66.4 74.7 83.1 91.4 99.7 108.0 116.3 124.6 132.9 26000
29,000 37.1 46.3 55.6 64.8 74.1 83.4 92.6 101.9 111.2 120.4 129.7 139.0 148.2 29000

4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
 Raw import from plant database Non-blank values only Sorted Alphabetically
Plant Typical DLI Minimum DLI High DLI Short, Long, Neutral
Do we want it to flower?
Lighting Photo Light Hours Plant Typical DLI Minimum DLI High DLI Short, Long, Neutral
Do we want it to flower? Light Hours Plant Typical DLI Minimum DLI High DLI Short, Long, Neutral
Do we want it to flower? Light Hours

Alfalfa Arugula 15 12 21 Long No 10 Natural Sun Light

0.0230
6500K 1.242

Apple Long Banana 15 9 24 Neutral Yes 10 High CRI LED 6500K

0.0172
Apricot Basil 18 15 27 Long No 10 High CRI LED 3000K
0.0190
Arugula 15 12 21 Long No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Arugula 15 12 21 Long No 10 Bay Laurel 18 15 24 Neutral No 12 Low CRI LED 6500K
0.0134
Arugula Beans 18 15 30 Neutral Yes 12 CMH 3000K 0.0182
Avocado 18 15 30 Short Yes Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Avocado 18 15 30 Short Yes 10 Celery 12 9 21 Neutral No 8 Red + Blue LED 0.0887
450+650 nm
Banana 15 9 24 Neutral Yes Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Banana 15 9 24 Neutral Yes 10 Chives 15 12 21 Vary No 12 Red + Blue + White
0.0257
450+650nm+3500K
Basil 18 15 27 Long No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Basil 18 15 27 Long No 10 Cilantro 12 9 18 Long No 8
Basil Cosmos 21 18 30 Short Yes 10
Bay Laurel 18 15 24 Neutral No Light6in_12hr.jpg 12 Bay Laurel 18 15 24 Neutral No 12 Cucumber 21 15 30 Neutral Yes 14
Beans 18 15 30 Neutral Yes Light6in_12hr.jpg 12 Beans 18 15 30 Neutral Yes 12 Dill 15 12 21 Long No 10
Beets Long Fig 18 15 30 Long Yes 14
Blueberries Lavender 18 15 24 Long No 10
Blueberries Lemon 21 18 30 Long helps Yes 14
Blueberry Lemon Balm 15 12 21 Long No 10
Broccoli Lettuce 12 9 18 Long No 8
Cabbage Lettuce (Leaf) 12 9 18 Long No 8
Carrot Lime 21 18 30 Long helps Yes 14
Carrot Marigold 15 12 24 Short Yes 10
Carrot Mint 15 12 21 Long No 10
Catnip Olive 18 15 30 Neutral Yes 12
Celery 12 9 21 Neutral No Light6in_8hr.jpg 8 Celery 12 9 21 Neutral No 8 Orange 21 18 30 Long helps Yes 14
Chamomile Short Oregano 18 15 24 Neutral No 12
Chard Parsley 12 9 18 Long No 8
Chives 15 12 21 Vary No Light6in_12hr.jpg 12 Chives 15 12 21 Vary No 12 Peach 18 15 30 long Yes 14
Chives 15 Vary No Pepper 21 15 30 Neutral Yes 14
Cilantro 12 9 18 Long No Light6in_8hr.jpg 8 Cilantro 12 9 18 Long No 8 Pineapple 15 9 27 Short Yes 10
Cilantro 12 Long No 10 Cilantro 12 Long No 10 Radish 18 15 24 Long No 10
Coffee 12 6 24 Short Yes Light6in_8hr.jpg 8 Coffee 12 6 24 Short Yes 8 Saffron Crocus 15 12 24 Short Yes 10
Cosmos 21 18 30 Short Yes Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Cosmos 21 18 30 Short Yes 10 Summer Squash 21 15 30 Neutral Yes 14
Cosmos Thyme 15 12 24 Neutral No 10
Cucumber 21 15 30 Neutral Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Cucumber 21 15 30 Neutral Yes 14 Tomato (determinate) 21 15 30 Long Yes 14
Cucumber 21 Neutral Yes Tomato (indeterminate) 21 15 30 Long Yes 14
Currant / Gooseberry Zinnia 18 15 27 Short Yes 10
Dill 15 12 21 Long No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Dill 15 12 21 Long No 10 Zucchini 21 15 30 Neutral Yes 14
Dill 15 Long No 10 Dill 15 Long No 10
eggplant Neutral
Fig 18 15 30 Long Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Fig 18 15 30 Long Yes 14
French Parsley
Garlic 15 12 21 Vary No Light6in_12hr.jpg 12 Garlic 15 12 21 Vary No 12
Ginger 12 9 18 Short No Light9in_14hr.jpg 14 Ginger 12 9 18 Short No 14
Globe Basil
goji berry
Grapes
Green Onion Vary
Hot Pepper
Kale 15 12 21 Neutral No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Kale 15 12 21 Neutral No 10
Kale
Kiwi
kumquat
Lavender 18 15 24 Long No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Lavender 18 15 24 Long No 10
Lemon 21 18 30 Long helps Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Lemon 21 18 30 Long helps Yes 14
Lemon Balm 15 12 21 Long No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Lemon Balm 15 12 21 Long No 10
Lemon Balm 15 Long No 10 Lemon Balm 15 Long No 10
Lemon Basil
Lentil
Lettuce 12 9 18 Long No Light6in_8hr.jpg 8 Lettuce 12 9 18 Long No 8
Lettuce
Lettuce (Head) 12 9 18 Long No Light6in_8hr.jpg 8 Lettuce (Head) 12 9 18 Long No 8
Lettuce (Leaf) 12 9 18 Long No Light6in_8hr.jpg 8 Lettuce (Leaf) 12 9 18 Long No 8
Lime 21 18 30 Long helps Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Lime 21 18 30 Long helps Yes 14
Lime Basil
Mango
Marigold 15 12 24 Short Yes Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Marigold 15 12 24 Short Yes 10
Marigold
Mint 15 12 21 Long No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Mint 15 12 21 Long No 10
Mint
Miracle fruit
Mulberry
Mulberry
Mustard
Mustard Greens Short
Olive 18 15 30 Neutral Yes Light6in_12hr.jpg 12 Olive 18 15 30 Neutral Yes 12
Orange 21 18 30 Long helps Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Orange 21 18 30 Long helps Yes 14
Oregano 18 15 24 Neutral No Light6in_12hr.jpg 12 Oregano 18 15 24 Neutral No 12
Oregano
Pak Choi
Parsley 12 9 18 Long No Light6in_8hr.jpg 8 Parsley 12 9 18 Long No 8
Parsley
Passionfruit
Peach 18 15 30 long Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Peach 18 15 30 long Yes 14
Peas 18 15 30 Neutral Yes Light6in_12hr.jpg 12 Peas 18 15 30 Neutral Yes 12
Pepper 21 15 30 Neutral Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Pepper 21 15 30 Neutral Yes 14
Pepper
Pineapple 15 9 27 Short Yes Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Pineapple 15 9 27 Short Yes 10
Purple Basil
Radish 18 15 24 Long No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Radish 18 15 24 Long No 10
Radish
Rosemary 15 12 24 Neutral No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Rosemary 15 12 24 Neutral No 10
Rosemary
Saffron Crocus 15 12 24 Short Yes Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Saffron Crocus 15 12 24 Short Yes 10
Sage 18 15 24 Short no Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Sage 18 15 24 Short no 14
savory
Scallion Varies
Squash
Stevia
Strawberry 18 15 27 Short Yes Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Strawberry 18 15 27 Short Yes 10
Strawberry
Summer Squash 21 15 30 Neutral Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Summer Squash 21 15 30 Neutral Yes 14
Tangerine
Tarragon
Thai Basil
Thyme 15 12 24 Neutral No Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Thyme 15 12 24 Neutral No 10
Thyme
Tomatillo 21 15 30 Long Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Tomatillo 21 15 30 Long Yes 14
Tomato 21 15 30 Long Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Tomato 21 15 30 Long Yes 14
Tomato
Tomato
Tomato (determinate) 21 15 30 Long Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Tomato (determinate) 21 15 30 Long Yes 14
Tomato (indeterminate) 21 15 30 Long Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Tomato (indeterminate) 21 15 30 Long Yes 14
Turmeric Short
Zinnia 18 15 27 Short Yes Light6in_10hr.jpg 10 Zinnia 18 15 27 Short Yes 10
Zinnia
Zucchini 21 15 30 Neutral Yes Light6in_14hr.jpg 14 Zucchini 21 15 30 Neutral Yes 14