Light Bulb Shape Guide: Chandelier
Crystal chandelier using frosted chandelier bulbs
Updated 10/11/23 by 1000Bulbs Staff
When it comes to decorative fixtures, whether in your home or elsewhere, the chandelier light bulb offers the perfect balance between aesthetics and practicality. Its pointed tip design replicates the beauty of a candle flame without the potential harm of an open fire.
Originally introduced as incandescent bulbs (like these), these vintage-style bulbs are now available as LED bulbs, providing a long-lasting, energy-efficient solution. In order to identify the many variations, we will be covering the chandelier light bulb for our fourth installment of the Light Bulb Shape Guide.
Chandelier Light Bulb Shapes
Similar to the shape of a candle, the chandelier light bulb is the modern-day solution for decorative lighting fixtures. Comparable to the other light bulbs previously mentioned in our Light Bulb Shape Guide, the chandelier bulb shape is identified in the form of a code.
With a few different types of chandelier bulbs available, the most common chandelier light bulb shapes begin with the following letters as prefixes.
B – Bullet or “Torpedo”
C – Candle or “Conical”
CA – Candle Angular
F – Flame Style
Comparison in the shapes of F15, CA8, B10, and C15 chandelier light bulbs.
The following numeric value is the diameter measured in eighths of an inch:
Chart of chandelier light bulb shapes, with diameter and length for each listed.
For example, a C11-shaped chandelier bulb is 8/11 or (1.375) inches wide. The most common shapes can be found in the table to the left.
The diameter of the light bulb is easily identifiable as the shape of the bulb while the length may vary depending on the manufacturer.
When purchasing chandelier bulbs or replacing a burnt-out bulb, it's recommended to buy them all at the same time from the same manufacturer to ensure the color temperature and brightness are consistent for the whole fixture.
Chandelier Light Bulb Bases
In order to determine the base size of a chandelier light bulb, there are two size codes to consider.
The letter “E” refers to the “Edison” style bulb base and the numerical value after represents the diameter in millimeters. For example, a bulb with an E12 base is an Edison screw-in base with a 12-millimeter diameter.
The following is a list of the most common types of chandelier bulb bases.
Chart showing E12 bulbs have a candelabra base and E26 bulbs has a medium base.
Example of Chandelier Light Bulb Base Types
Most US households are accustomed to the E12 or E26 base since fixtures such as lamps, sconces, and decorative lights use these two bases. Most chandelier light bulbs feature these types of bases to simplify the fit.
Where are Chandelier Light Bulbs Used?
Just as the name suggests, this particular light bulb is mainly used for decorative lighting that acts as the main light source, such as chandeliers. However, you can also find them in lamps, pendants, wall sconces, pendant lights, and some Christmas string lights. Due to their well-known shape, a majority of Christmas lights are made up of either C7 or C9 light bulbs.
Dark chandelier provides illumination and visual interest in a modern living room.
For a warm white vintage glow, you can find replacements for incandescent bulbs or if you're looking for a brighter radiance, they are currently being offered as LED bulb replacements.
Even though Christmas is still quite a ways away, with so many colors to choose from, make this upcoming holiday a decorative one and have one less thing to worry about in December.
Visit 1000bulbs.com for Decorative Light Bulbs and Fixtures
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Even though it's a hit song, for the safety of your light bulbs, we here at 1000Bulbs.com urge you not to “swing from the chandelier.”
