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What Base Is a Standard Light Bulb?

Published in Light Bulb Base 2 mins read

The standard base for a typical light bulb is the E26 or E27 screw-in base.

Understanding Standard Light Bulb Bases

When you hear "standard light bulb," people usually mean the most common screw-in type found in household lamps, overhead fixtures, and general lighting. According to common classifications:

  • Standard-Medium Base: This is the regular-sized screw-in base. As indicated by common light bulb base sizes, this type is known as E26 or E27.

These designations refer to the size of the screw base, measured in millimeters. 'E' stands for Edison Screw, and the number (26 or 27) is the diameter in millimeters.

Common Light Bulb Base Sizes

Different fixtures require different base sizes. Based on standard classifications, here are some common ones:

Base Type Description Size Code
Standard-Medium Regular sized screw-in base E26 or E27
Candelabra Smaller screw-in base E12
Intermediate Medium-small screw-in base E17

Note: E26 is predominantly used in North America, while E27 is the standard in most parts of the world, including Europe and Asia. While slightly different in size, E26 and E27 bulbs are often interchangeable in many fixtures due to minor tolerance differences.

Understanding these sizes helps ensure you choose the correct replacement bulb for your fixture, whether it's for a reading lamp, a decorative candelabra, or an everyday ceiling light. Choosing the right base ensures proper fit and safe electrical connection.