Standard Light Bulb Screw Sizes In The Us Explained

what is the standard light screw size in us

The standard light screw size in the US is E26, which is also known as a Medium Edison Screw (MES). The 'E' in E26 stands for Edison, and the '26' indicates that the diameter of the screw is 26mm. This is the most common light bulb base size in the US and is used for general lighting in standard light fixtures.

Characteristics Values
Name Edison Screw
Inventor Thomas Edison
Year Invented 1881
Year Licensed 1909
Base Type Screw
Base Diameter 26mm
Base Name Medium or Standard
Base Code E26
Base Description Medium or Standard
Base Voltage 120V
Base Commonality Most common lightbulb base in the US

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Edison Screw (ES)

The ES is the most common size of screw-base light bulb. The ES base comes in different bulb shapes, including globe, GLS, reflector, and pygmy. The ES bulb base is used in many overhead fixtures, reading, or floor lamps. The ES is also sometimes referred to as E27 because it is 27mm in width.

In the designation "Exx", "E" stands for "Edison" and "xx" indicates the diameter in millimetres as measured across the peaks of the thread on the base (or male connector). The ES is also known as the "medium" or "standard" Edison screw.

The ES is used for a variety of light bulb types, including incandescent, halogen, CFL, and LED.

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E26/E27 Medium

The E26 is the standard bulb size for 120V systems in North America and 100V systems in Japan. The E27 is the standard for 220V systems. The E26 and E27 bulbs are interchangeable, as the difference in diameter is only 1mm.

The E26/E27 Medium bulbs are used with a wide range of bulb shapes and sizes, including A19 LED lamps, BR LED lamps, and PAR LED lamps. The E26/E27 Medium base is also used with incandescent, fluorescent CFL, and LED lamps.

The Edison Screw base is the most common type of lamp base, and it is easy to install. The bulb is aligned with the fixture socket and rotated clockwise until secure. The screw threads provide mechanical support and act as the neutral electrical path, while a metal contact point at the bottom of the screw acts as the "live" electrical input.

The E26/E27 Medium bulbs are widely available in hardware stores and electronic appliance stores, as well as online.

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E12 Candelabra

The E12 Candelabra is a type of light bulb base. The 'E' in E12 stands for Edison, indicating an Edison screw base, while 12 indicates that the base is 12mm in diameter. This is the second most popular bulb base in the US, after the E26, and is used for smaller decorative incandescent or nostalgic lights.

The E12 Candelabra is also known as the Miniature Edison Screw (MES) or the Mini-Candelabra Edison Screw (mini-can). It is used for nightlight bulbs and ornamental light bulbs such as those used in chandeliers and bathroom mirrors.

The E12 Candelabra is available in a range of shapes, including:

  • B11
  • B10
  • T6
  • T8
  • C10
  • C7
  • T20

The E12 Candelabra is also available with different features, including:

  • Dimmable
  • Non-dimmable
  • ENERGY STAR-rated
  • Clear glass
  • Frosted glass
  • LED
  • Edison-style
  • True white
  • Soft white
  • Warm white
  • Flame bent tip
  • Vintage
  • Filament
  • Globe
  • Tube
  • Chandelier

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E14 European

The standard light screw size in the US is E26, which has a diameter of 26mm. This is also known as a Medium or Standard Edison screw base.

In Europe, the standard screw size is E27, which has a diameter of 27mm. However, there is another, smaller, screw size used in Europe, which is E14. This is an intermediate base with a diameter of 14mm, and it is used in small table lamps, novelty lighting, and ceiling fans.

E14 bulbs are not interchangeable with E17 bulbs, despite both being intermediate bases, as the E14 bulb will not fit into the larger E17 socket. However, an E14 bulb can be used in an E27 mount with a base adapter.

There are several products available that can adapt an E14 bulb to fit into a US E12 socket, or an E12 bulb to fit into an E14 socket. These include:

  • KOR - (Pack of 10) European Base (E14) to Candelabra Base (E12) Socket Reducer Adapter
  • Qjaiune 10 Pack E14 to E12 Adapter Converter, European to Candelabra Reducer, Pure Copper Light Adapter Socket Bulb Adapter, Golden Lamp Adapter
  • 15 Pieces E14 to E12 Adapter Converter Lamp Adapter European Base (E14) to Candelabra Screw (E12) Socket Reducer European Base to Candelabra Screw Light Socket Reducer (Gold)
  • E14 to E12 Adapter SQXBK 8PCS Gold European Base to Candelabra Screw Lamp Adapter E14 to E12 Light Socket Reducer

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E17 Intermediate

The E17 Intermediate is a type of Edison screw (ES) base, which is the standard lightbulb socket for electric light bulbs. The E17 has a diameter of 17mm and is often used in desk lights and appliance bulbs, although it is not widely available.

The E17 is also known as the Intermediate Edison Screw (IES) or simply the Intermediate. It is one of the less common Edison base names and sizes, with the most common being the E26 (Medium or Standard) size, which is the size of the majority of light bulbs used in the United States.

The E17 is used in a variety of light bulbs, including appliance, incandescent, and LED bulbs. Some specific examples of bulbs that use the E17 base include:

  • Feit Electric 40-Watt Soft White (2700K) T8 Dimmable Incandescent Appliance Light Bulb
  • Feit Electric 40-Watt Equivalent T8 Intermediate E17 Base Appliance LED Light Bulb, Warm White 3000K
  • G40 Globe Party Bulb, 5W, Clear - 25 or 500-bulb packs, with a glass or plastic base

The E17 is also used in Christmas lights, with LED C9 RGBWW colour-changing Christmas light bulbs available in packs of 25 or 500.

Frequently asked questions

The standard light screw size in the US is the E26, also known as the Edison 26-mm Diameter or Medium screw base. It is used for general lighting in standard light fixtures.

The E26 is the standard screw base for 120-volt systems in North America, while the E27 is the standard for 220-volt systems in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. The E26 and E27 can be used interchangeably, but their sockets are rated for different voltages.

The letter "E" in the screw size code, such as E26 or E12, stands for Edison, named after the inventor of the Edison screw socket, Thomas Edison.

Common bulbs with an E26 base include the A-shaped bulbs (A19, A15, A21), globe-shaped bulbs (G30, G25, G16.5), and BR bulbs (BR20, BR30, BR40).

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