Light Bulb Shapes Guide

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The names of light bulb shapes are denoted with a letter, which describes the shape, and a number, which indicates the size. The number associated with the shape indicates the
diameter of the light bulb at its widest part in eighths of an inch. For example, an A19 light bulb has a maximum diameter of 19/8 of an inch, or 2.375 inches.

A Appliance light bulbs

Appliance light bulbs are one of the most widely used shapes and can be used almost anywhere, including homes, hotels,
and restaurants. Appliance light bulbs have the shape that most consumers think of when they picture a light bulb. Typical
sizes include A15, A19, A21, and A23.

PS Pear shape light bulbs

Pear shape light bulbs are similar to A light bulbs, except they have a larger diameter, which causes the bulb to look like a
pear. Typical sizes include PS30 and PS40. PS30 light bulbs can be found in office buildings and retail stores, whereas
PS40 light bulbs are used in radio towers, cellular towers, bridge power lines, and high tension wires.
S Sign light bulbs

Sign light bulbs are found in outdoor signs used by casinos, hotels, restaurants, and theatres. Typical sizes include S6, S11,
and S14.

C Candle light bulbs

C light bulbs are made to look like a candle flame for decorative applications, such as chandeliers, restaurants, bathrooms,
and hotels. C light bulbs with a blunt tip are sometimes referred to as torpedo shaped or bullet, as with most compact
fluorescent C light bulbs and C-7 incandescent bulbs. C light bulbs with a molded, bent tip (also known as a flame tip) are
sometimes referred to as a chandelier light bulb. The bent tip is created in order to give the light bulb a more aesthetic
appeal. The C7 is used in marquees, time/temperature signs, and scoreboards. The C9, C11, and C15 are used in decorative
applications.

F Flame light bulbs

F light bulbs are similar in size and shape to C light bulbs; however, the glass of the bulb is blown and/or etched in such a
way that causes the light to look as though it is flickering like a flame. F light bulbs are used in decorative applications such
as chandeliers, bathrooms, and restaurants.

H Chimney light bulbs

Chimney light bulbs are found in decorative applications such as coach lights and post lights. The most common size is
H19.
G Globe light bulbs

Globe light bulbs are found in decorative applications, such as bathrooms, theatres, restaurants, and hotels. Typical sizes
include G16.5, G25, and G40.

R Reflector light bulbs

Reflector light bulbs have a built-in reflecting surface, which causes the light to be pushed through the front of the light
bulb, as opposed to being emitted around the entire bulb. Reflector light bulbs are used for down lighting, and they are used
primarily in recessed cans or track lighting for residential, retail, hotel, and restaurant applications. The most common size
is R20.

BR Bulk Reflector light bulbs

BR light bulbs were created in response to EPACT, which mandated that reflector light bulbs needed to meet minimum
efficiency standards. Standard reflector light bulbs in higher wattages and sizes lost light in the neck and sides of the light
bulb. The bulk reflector in the neck of the light bulb redirects the light lost in the neck and reflects it forward to increase the
overall lumen output of the light bulb, allowing light bulb manufacturers to continue producing the larger reflector light
bulbs and still abide by EPACT laws. Typical sizes include BR30 and BR40. These light bulbs are used for down lighting in
recessed cans for residential, hotel, food service, offices, and restaurant applications.

ER Elliptical Reflector light bulbs

ER light bulbs were also created in response to EPACT. In this case, the elliptical reflector increases the overall lumen
output by redirecting light that has been lost at the sides of the light bulb and reflecting it forward. The most common size is
ER30. These light bulbs are used for down lighting in recessed cans for residential, hotel, and office applications.
PAR Parabolic Aluminized Reflector light bulbs PAR light bulbs are reflector light bulbs that have an aluminized
reflector in a parabola shape. They are covered with a hard glass lens to control the light beam, which is available in a
variety of beam spreads from narrow spot to wide flood. PAR light bulbs can be used outdoors unprotected because their
hard glass shell can withstand adverse weather. PAR light bulbs are also used for down lighting applications in recessed
cans and track lighting in residential, retail, museums, and art gallery applications. Typical sizes include PAR16, PAR20,
PAR30, PAR30 long neck, and PAR38. The PAR30 long neck was introduced to replace incandescent BR30 light bulbs in
recessed cans in which standard PAR30 light bulbs did not fit.

MR Mirror Reflector light bulbs MR light bulbs have a mirrored reflector. They are used for accent and spot lighting in
various retail, residential, and commercial applications. The most common size is MR16; however MR11 is also used in
limited applications.

T Tube light bulbs T light bulbs are shaped like a cylindrical tube. Depending on the size, T light bulbs have very
different applications. Incandescent T6 light bulbs are used in exit and stairway signs and picture lights. Linear fluorescent
T12, T10, T8, and T5 light bulbs come in a variety of lengths, ranging from 2-8 feet. These light bulbs are placed in
fluorescent troffers and are used for general lighting in offices, retail outlets, hospitals, and parking garages. High intensity
discharge light bulbs also come in T shapes, including T9 and T15. These light bulbs are used in sports arenas, billboard
signage, and industrial applications.

U-Bend U-Bend Tube light bulbs The U-Bend T8 is created by bending a 4-foot length T light bulb into a U shape in
order to reduce the maximum overall length of the light bulb. This is desirable in some locations that have limited space. By
bending a 4-foot light bulb into a U configuration that is comparable to a 2-foot light bulb in length, the end user will
receive double the light output in the smaller space. This light bulb is used in offices, hospitals, and retail applications.
Spiral Spiral Tube light bulbs The spiral light bulb is the shape of a compact fluorescent light bulb. A smaller diameter
fluorescent T light bulb, such as T4, T3, T2, or T1, is twisted into a spiral or coil configuration in order to provide the most
amount of light output in the least amount of space. Spiral light bulbs are typically used to replace incandescent light bulbs
and can be used virtually anywhere, including residential , commercial, retail, hospitality, and restaurant applications.

BT Blown Tube or Bulbous Tube light bulbs The blown tube light bulb is a T light bulb that has had the glass blown in
the middle so that it appears to have a bubble in the middle of the tube. BT halogen light bulbs can be used to replace
incandescent light bulbs. High intensity discharge light bulbs come in BT28, BT37, and BT56. These are used in sports
arenas, car dealerships, canopy lighting, and industrial applications.

ED Elliptical Dome light bulbs

ED light bulbs have an elliptical shape to house the arc tube of a high intensity discharge light bulb. ED light bulbs are used
in sports arenas, high bay industrial lighting, parking lots and garages, and car dealerships. Typical sizes include ED17,
ED18, ED23.5, ED28, and ED37.
Bulb Shapes

The table below shows some of the common residential bulb shape codes. Thanks to Home Depot light bulb shape page and Natural Resources Canada.

A Arbitrary (standard) universal use for home lighting

B Bullet or Blunt Tip decorative
BR Bulging reflector for substitution of incandescent R lamps
BT Bulged tube - Table Lamps
C Cone shape used mostly for small appliances and indicator lamps
CA Candle - Chandeliers and Decorative
CIR Circline - Table lamps
ER Elliptical reflector for substitution of incandescent R lamps
F Flame decorative interior lighting
G Globe ornamental lighting and some floodlights
MR Mirrored reflector - track lighting
P Pear standard for streetcar and locomotive headlights
PAR Parabolic aluminized reflector used in spotlights and floodlights reflector
R Reflector - Recessed cans and track lighting
lower wattage lamp
S Straight
sign and decorative
showcase and appliance lighting (incandescent)
T Tubular
- closets/garages (fluorescent)
A multifaceted reflector (often abbreviated MR) light bulb is a reflector
housing format for halogen as well as some LED and fluorescent lamps. MR
lamps were originally designed for use in slide projectors, but see
use in residential lighting and retail lighting as well.