AWA FX300 and FX500 Irradiance Specs: How to Read the Numbers
Published May 15, 2026. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer
The AWA FX300 is stated at 83.5 mW/cm² at 6 inches and 43.3 at 12 inches. The FX500 is stated at 94 at 6 inches and 73.8 at 12 inches. Both use 60 LEDs, 30 at 660nm and 30 at 850nm. Always read an irradiance figure together with its distance. Follow the manual for time and distance.
Tools
Look up any distance in the irradiance by distance chart, turn a figure into energy with the red light dose calculator, see the session time table, or compare AWA devices.
Why this page exists
Irradiance is one of the most useful specs for comparing panels, and it is also one of the most misquoted. This page collects the irradiance numbers published for the AWA FX300 panel and AWA FX500 panel, shows them by distance, and teaches you to read them. It is a reference to pair with our irradiance explainer and dose calculation guide. It makes no claim about what any number means for a person.
Panel architecture
Both panels use 60 LEDs at 5W each, 30 at 660nm and 30 at 850nm. LED count and total wattage alone do not describe how much light reaches the skin. Irradiance at a stated distance is the more useful number to compare. The FX500 page makes the same point with its own figures: the LEDs are rated at 300W in total, but the page lists an actual power draw of 85W plus or minus 5% at 110V. Watts drawn from the wall, watts rated on the LEDs and milliwatts per square centimeter on your skin are three different quantities.
| Spec | Value | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelengths | 660nm and 850nm, 30 LEDs of each | Irradiance specs guide; FX500 and FX300 product pages |
| LED count and rating | 60 LEDs at 5W each | Irradiance specs guide; FX500 product page |
| LED lifespan rating | 50,000 hours | Irradiance specs guide; FX500 product page |
| FX500 actual power draw | 85W plus or minus 5% at 110V, with 300W LED rated | FX500 product page |
| LX500 mask at skin contact | 30 to 40 mW/cm² | Irradiance specs guide |
| Use guidance | 10 to 15 minutes, about 6 to 12 inches | FX300 and FX500 product pages |
FX300 irradiance by distance
The FX300 profile runs from 220 mW/cm² at 1 inch to 43.3 mW/cm² at 12 inches.
| Distance | Stated irradiance (mW/cm²) | Energy for 10 min (J/cm²) | Share of the 6 inch figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 220 | 132.0 | 263% |
| 2 inches | 145 | 87.0 | 174% |
| 3 inches | 116 | 69.6 | 139% |
| 6 inches | 83.5 | 50.1 | 100% |
| 12 inches | 43.3 | 26.0 | 52% |
FX300 profile as published. The energy column is arithmetic: mW/cm² x 600 seconds / 1000. The last column is the stated value divided by the 6 inch value.
FX500 irradiance by distance
The FX500 profile runs from 220 mW/cm² at 2 inches to 58.6 mW/cm² at 20 inches. The product page lists the shorter set of 220 at 2 inches, 94 at 6 inches and 74 at 12 inches, which matches the table after rounding.
| Distance | Stated irradiance (mW/cm²) | Energy for 10 min (J/cm²) | Share of the 6 inch figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 220 | 132.0 | 234% |
| 3 inches | 197 | 118.2 | 210% |
| 4 inches | 149 | 89.4 | 159% |
| 5 inches | 121 | 72.6 | 129% |
| 6 inches | 94 | 56.4 | 100% |
| 7 inches | 91.1 | 54.7 | 97% |
| 10 inches | 81.4 | 48.8 | 87% |
| 12 inches | 73.8 | 44.3 | 79% |
| 15 inches | 70 | 42.0 | 74% |
| 20 inches | 58.6 | 35.2 | 62% |
FX500 profile as published. The energy column is arithmetic and is not a session recommendation.
On the FX500, the stated figure at 12 inches is about 79% of the 6 inch figure, and at 20 inches about 62%. On the FX300, the 12 inch figure is about 52% of the 6 inch figure. A single point source would drop to a quarter when its distance doubles, so these panels are clearly not behaving like a point source. Each panel needs its own curve.
Worked examples (arithmetic only)
Arithmetic example 1: FX300 at 6 inches for 5 minutes. 83.5 mW/cm² x 300 seconds = 25,050 mJ/cm², divided by 1000 is 25.05 J/cm².
Arithmetic example 2: FX500 at 10 inches for 10 minutes. 81.4 x 600 / 1000 = 48.84 J/cm². Compare the table: at 12 inches, 73.8 x 600 / 1000 = 44.28 J/cm².
Arithmetic example 3: time to reach an invented target of 30 J/cm² at the FX500's stated 70 mW/cm² at 15 inches. Seconds = 30 x 1000 / 70 = 428.6, about 7.1 minutes. The 30 is an example number chosen for the maths, not a target.
Arithmetic example 4, LED lifespan: a rating of 50,000 hours, divided by 15 minutes a day (0.25 hours x 365 = 91.25 hours a year), is about 548 years of such sessions. A rating is a specification, not a promise about any one unit, and the arithmetic says nothing about how a panel will change over time.
The product pages for both panels describe 10 to 15 minutes at about 6 to 12 inches. Follow your manual for time and distance.
How to read these tables
- Pick the distance from your manual, not from the highest number in the table.
- Read the irradiance at that distance. If your distance falls between rows, read the figure as an estimate between the two neighboring rows.
- Multiply by your session time in seconds and divide by 1000 to get J/cm² if you want the energy.
- Remember that panel figures are stated at specific points. Edge and corner readings can differ.
Why your own meter might disagree
If you own a handheld meter, you may read numbers that differ from the published ones. Common reasons include where you held the sensor, the sensor's response at 660nm versus 850nm, the meter's calibration, the distance measurement itself (a half inch matters at short range) and the warm up state of the panel. A disagreement is a prompt to check the measuring method before drawing conclusions. If it persists, ask the AWA team how the published values were taken.
Common mistakes
- Quoting the 220 mW/cm² figure without its distance.
- Comparing the FX500 at 2 inches with another brand figure taken at 12 inches.
- Reading total wattage or LED count as irradiance.
- Using a short distance from the table to shorten a session rather than the distance in the manual.
- Assuming the same curve applies to the FX300 and the FX500. They have different profiles.
- Reading any figure here as a statement about outcomes.
Before you use any light device: read the label, follow the device manual, and use eye protection as directed. Ask a doctor first if you have a medical condition, take medications, are pregnant, or have light sensitivity.
Related guides in this series
- What irradiance means on a spec sheet
- How to calculate a red light therapy dose
- How long a session runs, by the manual
- 660nm vs 850nm wavelength guide
- Using a device beyond its manual
Device pages
Read the full page and label for each device before you use it: AWA FX300 panel, AWA FX500 panel. You can also browse AWA panels.
Frequently asked questions
What is the FX300 irradiance at 6 inches?
The FX300 is stated at 83.5 mW/cm² at 6 inches, with 43.3 mW/cm² at 12 inches. Check the product page for the current specification.
What is the FX500 irradiance at 6 inches?
The FX500 is stated at 94 mW/cm² at 6 inches and 73.8 mW/cm² at 12 inches. The product page lists 220 mW/cm² at 2 inches, 94 at 6 inches and 74 at 12 inches.
Why does irradiance fall as distance grows?
The same light spreads over a larger area as you move away. These panels do not behave like a single point source, so each has its own curve.
How do I turn these figures into energy?
Multiply irradiance in mW/cm² by seconds and divide by 1000 to get J/cm². This is arithmetic about the light emitted, not a recommended session.
Do total watts tell me the irradiance?
No. The FX500 page lists LEDs rated at 300W in total and an actual power draw of 85W plus or minus 5% at 110V. Neither is the same as milliwatts per square centimeter at a distance.
Sources
- FDA: General Wellness policy guidance (CDRH). Final guidance dated January 2026 that sets out the agency's compliance policy for general wellness products. It is a policy document, not a statement about any one device.
- FDA: Laser Products and Instruments. Describes FDA laser hazard classes I to IV, notes that higher classes carry warning labels, and states that LEDs are not subject to the federal laser product performance standard.
- FDA: Premarket Notification 510(k). Explains that a 510(k) is a premarket submission showing a device is substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device, and that a company must receive an FDA order clearing the device before marketing it in the U.S.
Regulatory note: select devices carry FDA 510(k) clearance for specific, limited uses. Most light devices are sold as general wellness products. Read each product page and label.
How we create this guide
AWA sells red light therapy devices. We write these guides to explain how devices work and how to choose and use one. This is general information, not medical advice. Read each product page and label. See our editorial standards.