Red Light Session Time Table

This table shows the energy in J/cm² for a few irradiance levels and session lengths. It is a plain grid of arithmetic that helps you see how irradiance and minutes combine.

Information only. Not medical advice.

Example numbers for arithmetic only

The irradiance levels and minutes below are round numbers chosen for the maths. They are not AWA published values and they are not session recommendations. For published AWA values by distance, see the irradiance by distance chart.

Energy in J/cm² by irradiance and minutes

Each cell is irradiance × minutes × 60 ÷ 1000. Choose a row or a column button to highlight it. Press the same button again to clear it.

Energy in J/cm² (example numbers for arithmetic only)
Irradiance
6 12 18 24
12 24 36 48
18 36 54 72
24 48 72 96
30 60 90 120

How to read the table

  • Down the left side is irradiance in mW/cm². Across the top is session time in minutes.
  • Doubling the minutes doubles the energy. Doubling the irradiance does the same.
  • One example: 60 mW/cm² for 10 minutes is 60 × 600 ÷ 1000 = 36 J/cm².
  • To go the other way, minutes = J/cm² × 1000 ÷ mW/cm² ÷ 60. The red light dose calculator does it for you.

Common mistakes

  • Using these example numbers as a plan for a session. Your manual sets time and distance.
  • Using an irradiance figure without checking the distance it was stated at.
  • Mixing up mW/cm² and watts of power drawn from the wall. They are different quantities.
  • Forgetting to convert minutes to seconds before multiplying.

Related guides

How we create this guide

AWA sells red light therapy devices. We build these tools and guides to explain how devices work and how to choose and use one. The numbers come from AWA product pages and our published irradiance specs. This is general information, not medical advice. Read each product page and label. See our editorial standards.

Updated October 2026.

Information only. Not medical advice.