UGR

UGR is a glare index used in interior lighting discussions.

UGR means unified glare rating. It is a glare-design concept for visual comfort, not a result that this public site calculates from simple room inputs.

Technical meaning

  • UGR means unified glare rating, a visual-comfort concept that depends on observer position, viewing direction, luminaire brightness and room conditions.
  • A UGR value belongs to a defined lighting layout and view condition, not to a lamp or room name by itself.

Calculation use

  • UGR language helps flag when a simple lux estimate needs glare review before it can be treated as an interior lighting design.
  • Office, classroom and screen-based work notes can note glare risk separately from maintained illuminance and fixture count.

Not the same as

  • UGR is not calculated on this public site from simple room inputs.
  • UGR is not a compliance promise. A project value depends on photometry, layout, surfaces and the observer positions being assessed.

Australian context

  • Australian workplace lighting discussions often pair maintained illuminance with visual comfort, screen reflections and glare review, especially in offices and learning spaces.

Examples

ExampleValuePlanning note
Desk viewObserver seatedThe glare question depends on the view direction from the work position, not only on room size.
Bright bare fittingHigher glare riskHigh luminance in the field of view can be uncomfortable even when the lux target is met.
Shielded office layoutReview still neededDiffusers, cut-off and layout can reduce glare risk, but a public glossary note does not verify the project value.

Calculation limits and records

  • This site describes UGR as a glare and observer-position concept. It does not run a UGR calculation or approve an AS/NZS outcome.

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