Online IES file viewer
Free Online IES File Viewer
Open an IES file to read its fixture details and preview its light distribution. This free IES viewer processes your file locally in your browser. No signup, upload or installation required.
Updated: September 5, 2026
Open an IES file now
Choose a .ies file to inspect its photometric header and candela distribution instantly. No account, upload, or install required.
Your file stays in this browser tab. It is not sent to Saha Lighting or Umami.
Your photometric preview appears here
The viewer supports standard LM-63 files with no TILT data or embedded TILT data.
How to open an IES file online
- 1.Download the .ies photometric file for your fixture from the manufacturer. Match the model, optic and output option to the product you plan to use.
- 2.Choose that file in the viewer above. The file stays on your device while the browser reads it.
- 3.Review the fixture details and polar candela preview. To estimate footcandles across a room or site, continue with a lighting layout using the fixture and project dimensions.
What is an IES file?
An IES file (.ies) contains photometric data describing how a luminaire distributes light in different directions. Lighting software reads its angles and candela values to estimate illumination when that fixture is placed in a layout. The file can also contain fixture identification, dimensions, wattage and lamp information.
What you can see
The instant viewer reads measured photometric data directly from the .ies file you choose:
- Input wattage and total lamp lumens when the file supplies a positive lumen value
- Photometric type, dimensions, and angle counts
- A polar candela distribution preview — how the fixture throws light
An absolute-photometry file may use a negative lamp-lumen value. The viewer leaves total lumens unavailable in that case; this does not mean the fixture produces no light. The polar preview uses the maximum candela across horizontal planes at each vertical angle.
What is the difference between an IES viewer and a lighting layout?
An IES file reader shows the light distribution of one fixture. It cannot tell you the footcandles across a project without placement, mounting height, geometry and other layout inputs. Lighting Studio uses your fixture data with those inputs to create first-pass layouts, heatmaps, point-by-point estimates and PDF reports.
Results are preliminary estimates that depend on the products, data, inputs, and assumptions you provide — they are not a final or certified design. For stamped documents or compliance work, a qualified lighting professional is required.
Who uses it
- Lighting manufacturers — turn a fixture catalog into an interactive sales tool
- Rep agencies — answer customer coverage questions without waiting on engineering
- Distributor sales teams — produce quick first-pass layouts that support quotes
Frequently asked questions
Can I view an IES file online for free?
Yes. Choose a standard LM-63 .ies file in the viewer above. It opens locally in your browser with no account, upload, credit card, or desktop photometric software.
What can I do with an IES file besides view it?
Lighting Studio uses IES data to create first-pass indoor, outdoor and wall-mount layouts with heatmaps, footcandle estimates, fixture counts and PDF reports. The full workspace has a free 7-day trial; custom report branding is included on Pro and Business.
Does the online viewer upload or save my IES file?
No. This free viewer reads the file locally in your browser and does not upload it to our server. Creating a fixture catalog in the separate Lighting Studio workspace is a different step. Starting a trial does not automatically transfer the file from this viewer.
Which IES files can I open?
The viewer reads LM-63 .ies files with TILT=NONE or tilt data included in the file. It does not load external tilt files. If a file cannot be read, check that it is the original .ies file rather than a PDF, ZIP archive or LDT file.
Related
Turn your IES files into layouts.
Load your catalog and build a first-pass layout in the browser — no CAD, no install. Free 7-day trial, no credit card.