E12 is the candelabra base, a screw base much smaller than the standard E26. Candle bulbs for chandeliers and sconces use it, and so do night lights and some ceiling fan bulbs.
What it looks like
It screws in like a household bulb, only far narrower. Boxes and specs often call it candelabra rather than E12: GE’s B11 candle LED lists its base as “Candelabra Base”.
Where it’s used
E12 is common in decorative fixtures such as chandeliers and night lights. Feit describes its E12 candle LEDs for chandeliers, wall sconces, pendant lights and coach lanterns.
- Ceiling fans. Some fan light kits take E12 bulbs, such as GE’s A15 ceiling fan LED. Fan kits made from 2009 to January 2020 with candelabra sockets are limited to 190 watts of bulbs in all. More on ceiling fan bulbs.
- Night lights. Feit’s C7 night light bulbs are E12: see night light bulbs.
- Outdoors. Feit makes an E12 A19 dusk-to-dawn LED with a light sensor, for wall sconces or covered patios that get daylight.
The bulbs it comes in
| Bulb | Shape | Watts | Lumens | Dimmable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feit LED | B10 | 3.3 | 300 | Yes |
| Feit LED | BA10 | 5.5 | 500 | Yes |
| Feit incandescent | B10 | 25 | 170 | Yes |
| Feit LED | A15 | 8.3 | 750 | Yes |
| Feit LED | G16-1/2 | 3.8 | 350 | Yes |
| Feit LED, dusk to dawn | A19 | 8.8 | 800 | No |
| GE LED | B11 | 5.5 | 500 | Yes |
| Westinghouse LED | B11 | 2.5 | 200 | Yes |
In order: Feit BPCFC40927CAWFIL/4, CFC60927CAWFILHDRP/3, BP25CTC/DL/4, BPA1560C/950CA/2, G1640950CAWFILHDRP/2 and A800C/950CA/DD/LEDI, GE White Filament B11 60 Watt Replacement, and Westinghouse 2.5B11/FilamentLED/DIM/CL/CB/27.
The shape code’s number is the bulb’s width in eighths of an inch, so a B10 candle is 1-1/4" across and an A15 is 1-7/8". Match the old bulb’s shape as well as its base, so it fits the fixture.
What it’s confused with
- E17. The intermediate base, bigger than E12 and smaller than E26. Feit’s and GE’s microwave and refrigerator bulbs use it.
- E11. A different base, which GE calls mini-candelabra. Westinghouse lists E11 and candelabra bulbs separately.
- E14. Often called the international version of E12. See base types.
Switch the fixture off and let candle bulbs cool before you unscrew them.
Another base?
Bases and shapes