Lighting Guide
UGR Guide — Unified Glare Rating Explained
What is UGR, why do offices specify UGR < 19, and which anti-glare optics reduce discomfort glare? A practical guide for buyers and specifiers.
Glare Level Simulator
Glare experience
Assessment
Good / standard — 19
Maximum commonly specified for offices and retail (EN 12464-1).
UGR Values and Their Meaning
| UGR | Rating | Where to use |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Ideal | Very dark ceilings and accent lighting; only reachable with deep-shielded optics. |
| 13 | Excellent | Preferred for meeting rooms and video conferencing. |
| 16 | Very good | General office and educational spaces. |
| 19 | Good / standard | Maximum commonly specified for offices and retail (EN 12464-1). |
| 22 | Acceptable | Industrial and utility areas where glare is less critical. |
| 25 | Poor | High glare; only for circulation and storage areas. |
| 28 | Very poor | Discomfort glare likely; should be avoided where people work. |
FAQs
UGR Questions
Common questions about glare ratings and anti-glare lighting.
What is UGR in lighting?
UGR (Unified Glare Rating) is a 0–30 scale measuring discomfort glare. Lower values mean less glare. UGR ≤ 19 is the typical office and classroom requirement.
What UGR rating should offices use?
EN 12464-1 recommends UGR ≤ 19 for most office tasks and UGR ≤ 16 for screen-based work and meeting rooms with video conferencing.
How do I reduce glare in LED lighting?
Specify deep-shielded optics, honeycomb anti-glare louvers, high cut-off angles, or indirect lighting. Low-UGR fixtures combine these features and are tested to a published UGR value.
Do ENCORE fixtures have low UGR options?
Yes. Several of our downlight and track light families offer deep anti-glare versions with honeycomb/reflector options targeting UGR < 19. Share your room geometry and we will confirm the achieved UGR.
Specify Low-Glare Lighting
Our engineers will help you hit your UGR target with the right optics — offices, classrooms and meeting rooms.