The maximum amplitude A_max_ of spot-induced brightness variations from long-term V-band photometry and the ratio L_X_/L_bol_ between X-ray and bolometric luminosities are suitable indicators of the level of magnetic activity in the photosphere and in the corona of late-type stars, respectively. By using these activity indicators we investigate the dependence of coronal X-ray emission on the level of photospheric starspot activity in a homogeneous sample of low mass main-sequence field and cluster stars of different ages (IC 2602, IC 4665, IC 2391, {alpha} Per, Pleiades and Hyades).