All About LED Bulb Sizes - Which One Do You Need?

Over time, the light bulb has changed in shape and size to provide lighting that suits your needs. To improve lighting in your space, you need to understand the various types of lightbulbs. This includes both traditional types and those used in business and industrial areas. With this helpful guide, you’ll be one step further to finding the perfect lighting for your space.

Introducing the Types of Lightbulbs

Since its debut in 1879, the light bulb has come quite a long way from its standard incandescent state. In a successful attempt to create a more economical form of lighting, Thomas Edison first introduced an incandescent light bulb made with a carbonized filament that was housed in a simple lamp. The Thomas Edison light bulb revolutionized lighting and motivated others to develop a better, brighter version.

The Transition from Incandescent to Fluorescent Lighting

Halogen light bulbs were an improved alternative to incandescent bulbs, providing better quality light at the time. With the use of a coiled filament, these light bulbs used halogen gas and iodine to produce a soft warm glow. Experts found that halogen lamps improved slightly, but electrical shortage remained a common issue that required attention.

Fluorescent bulbs lasted longer than older lamps by turning absorbed vapors into white light. Before Light emitting diodes were introduced into the equation, fluorescent lamps reigned supreme in producing useful, energy efficient lighting in most homes and offices.

The Breakthrough of LED Lighting

The use of light-emitting diodes within lightbulbs has brought a new meaning to general lighting. With the use of a semiconductor that transferers electricity into light, LED bulbs can emit light in specific directions and temperatures. Additionally, the diodes use all the energy that they produce, making them more efficient in producing bulb lumens than halogen and incandescent bulbs. With sizes that fit well within most fixtures, LED lights are proven to be the most cost-effective lighting solution that you can purchase today.

How can I Identify the Shape of my LED Light Bulb?

Manufacturers will typically use lettering to identify the shape of your LED light bulb. In some cases, additional letters can also mark the specific feature that an LED lightbulb has to distinguish it from its standard counterpart:

Standard Household Bulbs are usually marked with the letter “A” for its arbitrary or traditional teardrop shape.
Candle Style Bulbs are bullet shaped with thin tapering towards the end to symbolize the shape of a candle flame. In some cases, candle shaped light bulbs can have a slanted tip to better resemble a flame. These bulbs are usually identified with the letter “B,” and can sometimes be named “Candelabra” for their unique shape.
Globe Shaped Bulbs are more spherical in shape than Type A bulbs. Marked with a letter “G”, these lightbulbs can come in large or small versions for customization purposes.

Other forms of specialty LED bulbs can be marked with lettering to identify their unique features. For example, “PAR” is marked on bulbs that contain a parabolic aluminized reflector that can make omnidirectional light using reflective surfaces within the bulb. “T” stands for tubular shaped LED lightbulbs that are made to be more energy efficient by reserving current level transmitted to the lightbulb.

Measuring the Light Bulb Types in Diameter:

The numbers that follow a letter code is used to denote the size in diameter of the LED bulb. The measurement is usually taken across the widest part of the bulb which is usually located around the center of the glass housing. Although the standard form of measurement for LED light bulbs is in millimeters, some manufacturers will display measurements in a fraction of an inch to accommodate for slight variations between products.

Common diameters for most LED light bulbs will usually correspond with their distinct shape to help you choose the most accurate size for your light fixtures:

A19 LED Bulbs are the most common size across many different manufacturers. These bulbs are roughly 2.375 inches or 60 mm around.
G25 lightbulbs are usually 125 mm or 4.92 inches around but can sometimes vary in large or small sizes for different applications.
Candle style of Candelabra LED bulbs also come in various sizes, but generally have a diameter of 35mm or 1.38 inches around.
PAR20 30, 36 and 38 LED light bulbs can range from 64 to 121 millimeters, or 2-4 inches in diameter.
T8 light bulbs are typically 25.4mm or exactly one inch in diameter.

Where do the Different LED Light Bulb Sizes Fit Best?

The right shape and size of LED light bulb can help you meet your specific lighting needs. Whether it is a standard household fixture or commercial lighting system, these common sizes are made to be placed exactly where you need them to produce adequate lighting throughout our space.

Standard A19 LED Bulbs:

Standard A19 LED bulbs are ideal for numerous locations due to their compatibility with a wide range of light fixtures. These light bulbs can be found in table lamps, floor lamps, pendant lighting, or even wall sconces to produce general or ambient lighting within your space. There are smaller versions of standard LED bulbs available that can be used in some models of ceiling and vanity lighting located in areas with limited space.

G25 Shaped LED Bulbs:

Globe light LED bulbs are typically used for decorative and aesthetic purposes within your space. G25 bulbs can be utilized in bathroom vanity lighting, chandeliers, pendant lights and in some cases, outdoor decorative lighting. Use these bulbs in applications where you prefer warm, ambient lighting throughout the area.

PAR 30, 36, and 38 LED Bulbs:

PAR LED bulbs specialize in focused and directional lighting and can be used in many different outdoor applications as safety and security lighting. Some models of PAR bulbs can also be found illuminating landscapes and larger, more specific features such as artwork and shrubbery.

Candelabra Bulbs:

Candelabra LED lightbulbs can be used to create an additional element to your decorative light fixtures. With common uses in chandeliers and pendant light fixtures, LED candelabra bulbs can provide visually appealing ambient lighting to formal spaces.

T8 LED Light Bulbs:

Use Tubular shapes light bulbs in commercial settings that require large amounts of energy efficient lighting. These light bulbs are built to be long lasting, and typically are utilized for task lighting in warehouses, department stores and office buildings.

Color Temperature Variations in LED Lighting

Most versions of LED lighting comes in various color temperatures to best suit the level of light in your space. The temperature of most LED bulbs is measured in kelvins to help determine the exact tone of lighting that the fixture will display. Temperatures from 1900 to 2700K produces warm white light while 3000 to 5000K produces cool white light.

Color temperatures above 5000K is made to simulate natural light during the day. Along with the placement of your LED bulb types, you should consider the ways in which the color temperature of the lamp will affect your space. Most people typically use warm light in more personal applications while cool light is reserved for business and commercial applications.

Light Bulb Base Types

LED lightbulbs have various base types that are designed for different types of fixtures. The most common sizes such as E26 and E27 bases are found in standard household fixtures sold in North America.

E12 bases are usually reserved for Candelabra bulb sizes such as B11 or B12. Some decorative fixtures might require an E17 base that accommodates slightly larger bullet shaped bulbs. There are also bases for lamps with specialized housing:

Bi pin bases are used for linear fluorescent lighting.
Mogul bases are reserved for bulbs with higher wattage amounts, such as those used for outdoor and industrial applications.

With their unique requirements, different versions of LED bulbs will utilize different base types for certain light fixtures. It is important to identify the required base for your fixture before selecting your LED Bulb:

Base types are usually printed on the bottom of the bulb base while distinct coding is sometimes listed as a feature within the product description of the light fixture.
User manuals can also be a helpful tool in finding the correct base type for your lighting system. The base type and recommended bulb size are usually listed in the product specifications included with your light fixture.

Find Several LED Bulb Types and More at HomElectrical:

HomElectrical has a vast collection of LED light bulbs in different shapes and sized to fit your standard or commercial light fixtures. With our list of trusted manufacturers, you can be sure that your LED bulbs will produce energy efficient lighting for your desired space!

To place an order, register for an account today or call us at 888-616-3532.