Lamp Dimensions: Heights, Shade Sizes and Placement for Every Lamp Type
Typical dimensions of table, bedside, desk, floor and arc lamps in inches and millimeters, how to size a lampshade, and how high a lamp should sit next to a sofa, bed or desk.
A standard table lamp is 24-34 in (61-86 cm) tall, a bedside lamp 20-27 in (51-69 cm), a desk lamp 14-24 in (36-61 cm) with a base of about 5-8 in (125-200 mm), and a floor lamp 58-64 in (147-163 cm). Torchiere and arc floor lamps reach 70-84 in (178-213 cm).
- Table lamp
- 24-34 in (61-86 cm)
- Desk lamp
- 14-24 in (36-61 cm)
- Floor lamp
- 58-64 in (147-163 cm)
- Table + lamp
- 58-64 in total
On this page
Lamp sizes by type
Lamp height is measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the shade or head (not including a finial). The ranges below cover most lamps sold for homes.
| Lamp type | Height | Base | Shade (bottom diameter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accent / mini lamp | 10-20 in (25-51 cm) | 4-6 in (10-15 cm) | 8-12 in (20-30 cm) |
| Bedside lamp | 20-27 in (51-69 cm) | 5-8 in (13-20 cm) | 12-16 in (30-41 cm) |
| Table lamp (living room) | 24-34 in (61-86 cm) | 6-10 in (15-25 cm) | 14-18 in (36-46 cm) |
| Buffet lamp | 30-36 in (76-91 cm) | 5-7 in (13-18 cm) | 12-14 in (30-36 cm) |
| Desk lamp | 14-24 in (36-61 cm) | 5-8 in (13-20 cm) | Head or 8-12 in shade |
| Floor lamp | 58-64 in (147-163 cm) | 10-14 in (25-36 cm) | 15-20 in (38-51 cm) |
| Torchiere | 70-72 in (178-183 cm) | 10-12 in (25-30 cm) | Upward bowl, 12-16 in |
| Arc floor lamp | 72-84 in (183-213 cm) | Heavy base, 12-16 in | Reach of about 3-5 ft (91-152 cm) |
Buffet lamps are tall and narrow so they light a sideboard without crowding it. Torchieres throw light at the ceiling, so they are made tall enough that the bowl sits above eye level.
How high a lamp should be
The height that matters is where the light comes out, not the lamp alone. For lamps on furniture, add the furniture height to the lamp height.
| Placement | Rule | Typical numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Table lamp beside a sofa | Shade bottom near seated eye level | Table 22-26 in + lamp 28-32 in = 58-64 in total |
| Bedside lamp | Shade bottom near chin height when sitting up in bed | Nightstand 24-28 in + lamp 22-27 in |
| Floor reading lamp | Light at shoulder height, beside and slightly behind | Shade bottom about 40-49 in (102-124 cm) |
| Desk lamp | Light about 15 in above the desk | Desk 28-30 in + lamp head at 43-45 in from floor |
The point of these rules is to keep the bare bulb out of sight. If you can see the bulb from the sofa or bed, the shade bottom is too high. If the shade blocks the light on your book, it is too low.
- Living room: sofa arm heights are usually 22-27 in, and an end table at about arm height looks right. Check sofa arm heights in the sofa size guide and table heights in coffee and end table dimensions.
- Bedroom: nightstands are normally at or slightly above mattress height. A 26 in nightstand with a 25 in lamp puts the top of the shade at 51 in. See nightstand dimensions.
- Home office: on a 29-30 in desk, a 16-20 in lamp lights the work area without glare. Standing desks raise the surface by 10-20 in, so an adjustable arm lamp moves better with the desk. See desk dimensions and standing desk heights.
Desk lamp dimensions
Desk lamps vary more than other lamps because the arm sets the reach. The base or clamp must hold the arm without tipping.
| Style | Height (mm) | Height (in) | Base or mount | Reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact LED desk lamp | 300-400 | 12-16 | Base 120-160 mm (4.7-6.3 in) | 200-350 mm (8-14 in) |
| Standard desk lamp | 350-600 | 14-24 | Base 125-200 mm (5-8 in) | 300-500 mm (12-20 in) |
| Architect / swing-arm | up to 1000 extended | up to 39 | Clamp or base 200 mm (8 in) and up | 600-1000 mm (24-39 in) |
| Banker's lamp | 350-400 | 14-16 | Rectangular base about 150 × 200 mm | Fixed |
Place a desk lamp on the side opposite your writing hand (left for right-handed people) so your hand does not cast a shadow over the page. For a monitor, put the lamp to the side and aim it at the desk, not the screen.
Lampshade sizes and how to measure one
Lampshades are sold by three numbers, in this order: top diameter × bottom diameter × slant height. A "10 × 16 × 11 in" shade is 10 in across the top, 16 in across the bottom and 11 in along the sloped side. Slant height is longer than the vertical height on a tapered shade.
- Measure the base. Width at the widest point, and height from the foot to the bottom of the socket.
- Size the shade. A common rule: the bottom diameter is about twice the base width, and the shade height is about two-thirds of the base height. A 15 in base with a 7 in wide body suits a shade about 14 in wide and 10 in tall.
- Check the coverage. The bottom edge should cover the socket and the harp's lower hardware when you look at the lamp from a seated position.
- Match the fitter. Spider fitters sit on a harp (sold in 1 in steps from about 7 to 12 in); uno fitters slip over or screw onto the socket; clip-on shades grip the bulb.
The shade should be narrower than the table top so it does not overhang the edge or get knocked. On a 20 in nightstand, keep the shade under about 18 in.
Bulb bases and brightness
| Base | Diameter | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| E26 (medium) | 26 mm | Standard US and Canada lamps |
| E12 (candelabra) | 12 mm | Chandeliers, small accent lamps in North America |
| E27 | 27 mm | Standard lamps in Europe and much of the world |
| E14 (small Edison) | 14 mm | Small lamps and chandeliers in Europe |
| B22 (bayonet) | 22 mm | UK, Ireland, Australia, India |
| GU10 | Twist-lock pins 10 mm apart | Spotlights and some desk lamps |
Brightness is in lumens. The familiar incandescent equivalents are 450 lumens for 40 W, 800 lumens for 60 W, 1,100 lumens for 75 W and 1,600 lumens for 100 W. A bedside or table lamp used for reading typically takes an 800 lumen (60 W equivalent) bulb, and a floor lamp lighting part of a room 1,100-1,600 lumens. Never exceed the maximum wattage marked on the socket, which is set by the heat the shade and wiring can handle.
Placing a lamp beside a mirror doubles the light it seems to give and evens out shadows on a face. Mirror sizes and heights are in the mirror size guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are common desk lamp dimensions in mm?
Most desk lamps are 350-600 mm tall, with a round or square base of about 125-200 mm. Swing-arm and architect lamps reach 600-1000 mm from the base or clamp. Clamp lamps fit desktops up to about 50-60 mm thick; check the jaw opening before buying.
Is a 420 mm lamp a floor lamp?
No. 420 mm is 16.5 in, which is the height of a desk lamp or a small accent table lamp. Floor lamps are about 1470-1630 mm (58-64 in) tall, and torchieres up to 1830 mm.
How big should the base of a desk lamp be?
A base of about 125-200 mm (5-8 in) across is typical. The heavier and wider the base, the farther the arm can reach without tipping, so long-reach architect lamps either have a heavy base of 200 mm or more or use a clamp.
How high should a reading lamp be?
For a floor reading lamp beside a chair, the bottom of the shade or the light head should be about at shoulder height when seated, roughly 40-49 in (102-124 cm) from the floor, and slightly behind the reader. For a table lamp, aim for the shade bottom near eye level when seated.
What size lampshade do I need?
As a rule of thumb, the shade's bottom diameter is about twice the width of the lamp base, and the shade is about two-thirds as tall as the base (from the foot to the socket). The bottom edge should hide the socket and harp.