Comparing LEED and WELL – What to Know

In 1995, the USGBC partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), spearheaded by NRDC scientist Rob Watson, to create the LEED green building rating system. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was solidified, adopted by the USGBC, and launched with the help of the Federal Energy Management Program in August of 1998.

WELL, which came into being in 2014 and was introduced by the WELL Building Institute (IWB​​I™), is short for WELL Building Standard.

So how are they alike and how are they different? Which should you aim for if you’re looking for a certification?

Similarities

• Point‑based certification systems
  Both use a points approach and award tiered certification levels (e.g., Silver, Gold, Platinum for WELL; Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum for LEED)
• Emphasis on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
  Both award credits for IAQ management plans, ventilation, low-VOC materials, daylighting—and often align on performance testing and occupant surveys
• Designed for integration
  IWBI and USGBC have overlapping credits; documentation for one can fulfill criteria for the other—saving time and reducing duplication

Key Differences

Aspect	LEED	WELL
Primary Focus	Builds environmental sustainability: energy, water, materials, site	Focuses on occupant health & well‑being: air, water, light, fitness, mind
Scope	Broad building/environmental performance, including site/community	Deeper dive into human-centric metrics—notably nourishment, mental health, acoustics
On‑site Testing	Mostly documentation-based, occasional walkthroughs	Requires third-party performance testing (air, water, light, sound) and site verification
Recertification	LEED v4 O+M uses surveys; recertification optional (every few years)	Mandatory recertification every 3 years with full testing
Certification Types	Multiple systems—Building Design and Construction, Interior Design and Construction, Operations and Maintenance, Homes, Neighborhoods	Primarily interiors and new builds; shell & core only compliance, not full WELL certification
Global Reach	Over 195,000 projects in 186 countries; strong in US & Canada	~74,000 locations in 130 countries, growing globally
Unique Credits	Landscape/site restoration, habitat protection, renewable energy, brownfield redevelopment	Biophilia, healthy food options, thermal comfort controls, mental health spaces, sound masking

So, which should you pursue?

• LEED is ideal if your priority is environmental sustainability, energy/water efficiency, site stewardship, or if you need local recognition (especially in the US/Canada).
• WELL is best when healthy occupants are your key focus—excellent indoor air, natural light, fitness, nutrition, acoustic comfort, and mental well-being.
• Get both for holistic impact: Many strategies overlap, and dual certification gains synergy from aligned credit crosswalks

Bottom Line

• LEED = Building + Environment
• WELL = People + Health
• Use both together for truly sustainable and human-centered buildings.