Bulb Base and Color Temperature Guide

The right bulb fits the socket, gives enough light and sets the mood.

Common bulb bases

  • E26: standard medium screw base in North America.
  • E27: standard medium screw base used in Europe and many other regions. E26 and E27 are similar in size; always confirm voltage compatibility for your region.
  • E12 / E14: smaller candelabra bases (E12 in North America, E14 in Europe), common in chandeliers.
  • G9: small two-pin bases often used in compact fixtures.
  • GU10: twist-and-lock base used in spotlights and track lights.

Brightness: lumens, not watts

Lumens measure light output. As a rough reference, a traditional 60 W incandescent bulb gives about 800 lumens; an LED equivalent uses far less power for the same output.

Color temperature

  • 2700K to 3000K: warm white, suited to living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms.
  • 3500K to 4000K: neutral white, suited to kitchens, bathrooms and work areas.
  • 5000K and above: cool daylight, suited to garages and task lighting.

Dimming

Use dimmable bulbs with a compatible dimmer switch. Check the product listing to see whether the fixture supports dimming.

Browse light bulbs.

Guidance only. Always check the dimensions and installation notes on the product page, and follow your local electrical code.