Fundamentals · 17 September 2026 · 2 min read
Glare and UGR: the comfort you don't notice
The best lighting goes unnoticed — until glare makes people squint. Unified Glare Rating gives designers a way to measure discomfort and design it out.
Glare is light in the wrong place: a bright source in the field of view that causes discomfort, fatigue or, in severe cases, reduced vision. It is the most common complaint in poorly lit spaces, and one of the easiest to prevent at design stage.
Measuring it: UGR
The Unified Glare Rating (UGR) estimates discomfort glare from the luminaires in a room, typically on a scale from about 10 (imperceptible) to 30 (intolerable). Standards set limits by task: the European workplace standard EN 12464-1, for example, sets UGR 19 for offices and reading or writing, and a stricter 16 for technical drawing.
How we design glare out
- Deep-set and low-luminance optics that hide the light source from normal viewing angles.
- Careful aiming of accent lights so beams land on the object, not in people's eyes.
- Indirect and wall-washing light to lower contrast between luminaires and their surroundings.
- Thinking about reflections too — glossy floors, glass and screens can turn a good layout bad.
In hospitality and residential spaces the aim is the same even where no standard applies: guests should see the light, not the lamp.
Planning a project? Talk to us about lighting design, controls or product supply.
