To size a central light fixture, add the room’s length and width in feet — that total, in inches, is the ideal diameter. A 12 × 14 ft room suits a fixture about 26 inches wide. Hang a fixture over a table 30–36 inches above the top, and make it about half to two-thirds the table’s width. Keep at least 7 feet of clearance under anything people walk beneath.
Key takeaways
- Diameter: room length + width (feet) = fixture diameter in inches.
- Over a table: about ½–⅔ the table width; hang 30–36 in above the top.
- Height of a tall fixture: ~2.5–3 in per foot of ceiling height.
- Clearance: keep 7 ft (84 in) below fixtures in walkways.
On this page
What size light fixture do I need for a room?
Use the length-plus-width rule: add the room’s length and width in feet, and the total in inches is the ideal fixture diameter.
| Room size | Ideal fixture diameter |
|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | ~20 in |
| 12 × 14 ft | ~26 in |
| 14 × 16 ft | ~30 in |
For the target brightness (lumens) of the same room, use our Lighting Calculator.
How high should a light fixture hang?
The rule depends on what’s below it:
- Over a table: 30–36 inches above the tabletop (8 ft ceiling); add ~3 in for each foot of ceiling above 8 ft.
- In a walkway or open room: keep the bottom at least 7 feet (84 in) off the floor.
- Tall fixtures: allow a height of roughly 2.5–3 inches per foot of ceiling (a 10 ft ceiling suits a fixture 25–30 in tall).
What size chandelier or pendant over a dining table or island?
Size it to the furniture, not the room: the fixture (or the group of pendants) should span about half to two-thirds the width of the table or island, centred over it. Over an island, two or three evenly spaced pendants usually look best. See the full breakdown in dining room lighting hanging height, and browse options in Chandeliers and Pendant Lights.
What size flush mount or ceiling light?
Flush and semi-flush fixtures follow the same length-plus-width diameter rule as any central fixture. In a small hallway or bathroom, aim smaller; in a large living room, go bigger so the fixture holds the ceiling. Compare mounting styles in flush vs semi-flush vs pendant, or shop Ceiling Lights.
What size floor or table lamp?
- Table lamp: when you sit beside it, the bottom of the shade should be about at eye level — typically a lamp 24–32 in tall on a standard side table. The shade should be no wider than the table.
- Floor lamp: usually 58–64 inches tall overall; a reading lamp’s shade sits just below eye level when you’re seated.
More detail in our floor lamp guide; shop Table Lamps and Floor Lamps.
How do I size a fixture for a high ceiling or two-story foyer?
In an entry with a very high ceiling, scale up: use the 2.5–3 in per foot of ceiling guide for height, and for a two-story foyer keep the bottom of the fixture roughly level with the second-floor landing, and never lower than 7 ft above the floor. A larger, taller fixture is almost always better than one that looks marooned near the ceiling.
Frequently asked questions
What size light fixture do I need for my room?
Add the room’s length and width in feet; that total in inches is the ideal fixture diameter. A 12 × 14 ft room suits a fixture about 26 inches wide.
How high should a light fixture hang over a table?
About 30–36 inches above the tabletop for an 8 ft ceiling, adding roughly 3 inches for each additional foot of ceiling height.
What size chandelier goes over a dining table?
About half to two-thirds the width of the table, centred over it.
How tall should a floor lamp be?
Usually 58–64 inches overall, with a reading lamp’s shade just below eye level when you are seated.
How much clearance should a hanging light have?
Keep the bottom of the fixture at least 7 feet (84 inches) off the floor anywhere people walk.
Last updated: September 2026 · Written by Artevaris Editorial
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