Light Bulb Base Sizes (w/ Charts)

light bulb base sizes
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Have you ever had a light burn out and found you didn’t know what kind of bulb it took? Or perhaps you were digging through a drawer and found a bulb and weren’t sure what it went to. Fear not, because pairing bulbs and bases isn’t as complicated as it first seems.

Bulbs tend to be classified by three things: size, shape, and base type. As a result, the names of bulbs follow a simple pattern of type-size, with the base size usually being measured in millimeters (imperial measurements may appear on packaging in the US, but won’t necessarily be reflected in the bulb’s name.

Note: We’re using the term “bulb” very loosely here, as many light fittings no longer have a bulb shape.

We won’t be getting too far into bub shapes here, as you can get different bulb shapes for the same socket. You’ll run across designations such as A-19 (a standard light bulb) or G-16.

In this case, the designation goes by shape-size, with the number being a multiple of a base measurement (for example, 1/8″). Thus, a G-16 bulb may have an E-12 base, meaning it’s globe-shaped but requires an E-12 base (socket). You may also have an A shaped bulb with an E-12 base.

As you can see, knowing the bulb shape/size isn’t necessary for pairing a bulb and its socket. The exception is when the bulb needs to fit into a confined space, such as in your kitchen range hood or overhead garage lighting. But that can often be guessed by noting the size and shape of the space. Perhaps we’ll cover the topic in more depth another day.

Edison Sockets

edison base sizes
Edison Base Examples (credit)

When you think of a light bulb, you’re probably thinking of an Edison (screw-base) bulb. These come in a range of sizes, but three in particular are commonly used in the us: the E12 “candelabra”, E26 “medium”, and E39 “mogul”.

While most screw bulbs have a single contact, a few have a double contact. These may be identified with a “d” at the end of the name (such as E26d)

Edison Socket Sizes Chart

SizeNameCommon UsesOther Names/Notes
E5Lilliput Edison Screw (LES)decorative, indicatorsAKA "midget"
E10Miniature Edison Screw (MES)bicycle lights, flashlightsAKA "miniature screw"
E11Mini-Candelabra Edison Screw (mini-can)120v halogen mini candelabra
E12Candelabra Edison Screw (CES)120v candelabra, night lampAKA "candelabra", C7 common US socket
E14Small Edison Screw (SES)230v candelabra, chandelier, night lamp, pendant light
E17Intermediate Edison Screw (IES)120v appliancesAKA "intermediate", C9
E26Edison Screw (ES or MES)standard 120v lightsAKA "medium", most common US socket
E27Edison Screw (ES)standard 230v lightsAKA "european intermediate"
E29Admedium Edison Screw (ES)special applications like UV spotlight lamps
E39Sing-contact Goliath Edison Screw (GES)120v 250+ W industrialAKA "mogul", common US socket
E40Goliath Edison Screw (GES)230v 250+ W industrial

Bi-Pin Sockets

bi-pin-base-sizes
Bi-Pin Base Examples

Traditionally used for LED and fluorescent lights such as warehouses, garage ceilings, or low basement ceilings, bi-pin (AKA two-pin) sockets have come to prominence due to Californian legislation requiring all new construction to use GU24 sockets.

All bi-pin sockets are designated with a G, hailing back to when the bulbs were made using glass.

Bi-Pin sockets are a little more complicated, as types require two different measurements: the distance between the center of both pins, and the diameter of the pin. The number after the G indicates how many millimeters long the pins are.

Note that the pin length (G#) and pin spacing are often, but not always, identical. Bases with a GY designation are about half a millimeter longer than their G counterpart. For the most part, G and GY bulbs are fully interchangeable despite this difference.

GU sockets include clip grooves and are designed for a rounded bulb bottom, while GZ fit squared bottoms.GU bulbs will generally fit into the equivalent GZ base, but not vice versa. GX sockets and bulbs are identical to GU, except the GX bulb lacks any grooves.

Some sockets offer a twist-lock feature. For these, the pins of the accompanying bulb include a wider tip that locks it in place when the bulb’s twisted.

Bi-Pin Socket Sizes Chart

DesignationPin DiameterPin SpacingCommon Uses
G4/GY4.65 - .75mm4mm5-20w small halogen quarts capsules
GU4/GZ4.95 - 1.05mm4mmMR8 and MR11
G5n/a5mmT4 or T5 fluorescent bulbs
G5.31.47 - 1.65mm5.33mm
GU5.3/GX5.31.45 - 1.60mm5.33mm20-50w small halogens, such as MR16
GY5.3flat pins5.33mm
G6.35/GX6.35/GZ6.350.95 - 1.05mm6.35mm
GY6.351.2 - 1.3mm6.35mmhalogens used for task and landscape lighting
G8n/a8mm35-100w halogen
GY8.6n/a8.6mm100w or less halogen
G9n/a9mm120v or 230v halogen and LED lamps
G9.53.10 - 3.25mm9.5mmtheatrical fixtures
GU10n/a10mm35-50w MR16 halogen; compact fluorescent, LED lamps
GZ10n/a10mmadds dichroic filter to GU10; may use GU10 bulbs
G122.35mm12mmtheatrical lighting; single-end metal halide lamps
G132.35mm13mmT8/10/12 fluorescent tubes
GX16dn/a16mmtheatrical PAR lamps (mogul end prong)
G232mm23mmreplace fluorescent PL lamps in recessed canned fixtures
GU24n/a24mmtwist-lock (self-ballasted compact fluorescent)
G3811.1mm38mmhigh-powered theatrical lamps
GX53n/a53mmtwist-lock (puck-shaped under-cabinet compact fluorescent; LED lamps)
GX70n/a70mmtwist-lock (puck-shaped compact fluorescent, LED lamps)

Related: Common Hole Saw Sizes

Bayonet Sockets

bayonet base sizes
Bayonet Base Examples

Bayonets come in three flavors, all relying on a twist-lock design. Most bayonet bulbs have a pin on either side of the base which locks it into the socket when twisted.

On some bases, the pins are slightly offset to ensure the bulb only fits one way into the socket. On others, the base has three pins to deter theft.

The bayonet design locks more securely, making these fixtures more useful in high-vibration situations than Edison bases. Common applications are vehicles, street lighting, and flashlights.

Bayonets are designated by BA, the diameter of the base, and may include a suffix of “s” for single contact or “d” for double contact. A “-3” at the end indicates three prongs. The BA may be followed by an additional letter designating pin position, such as:

  • U – The pins are at the same level but are offset by 60 degrees.
  • Y – The pins are across from each other, but one pin is higher on the base than the other.
  • Z – One pin is higher than the other, and the pins are offset by 60 degrees

Bayonet Base Sizes Chart

BA7B8BA9BA9sBAX9sBAY9s
BAU9sBAW9sBAZ9sB15sB15dBA15
BAU15BAU15sBAW15BAX15dBAY15dBAZ15
BAZ15dBA15s-3BA15d-3BA20BA21B22s
B22dB22d-3BY22d

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