A-shape bulbs, such as the A19 on the standard E26 base, are the most common in table and floor lamps. Match the old bulb’s base, and keep within the watts on the lamp’s label or in its instructions.
How many brightness levels does the lamp’s switch give?
What fits
A19 bulb, E26 base
The standard bulb for most table and floor lamps.
On the package: A19 E26
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A 3-way bulb
A lamp with one socket that clicks through three levels needs a 3-way bulb. Its base has an extra contact for them.
On the package: 3-way, such as 50/100/150 W replacement (E26)
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Turn the lamp off, unplug it and let the bulb cool before you change it.
The lamp’s watts
A lamp’s label or instructions give the most watts it takes. If you can’t find any marking, the CPSC says to use a bulb of 60 watts or less.
Some lamps give a separate limit for each kind of bulb. Williams-Sonoma’s Encalmo table lamp is rated for a 60 watt Type A incandescent, a 13 watt CFL or the 9 watt LED bulb it comes with, and its instructions say not to go over them. For an LED, compare the Energy Used watts on its box with the lamp’s LED limit, or with its overall limit if it gives only one.
Room under the shade
The number in the code is the bulb’s width in eighths of an inch, so an A19 is 2-3/8" across and an A21 2-5/8". The Encalmo’s instructions also call for an approved shade at least 2-7/8" from the bulb.
Brightness
Brightness is the lumens on the box. To match an old 75 watt bulb, look for at least 1,100 lumens, and for a 100 watt bulb at least 1,600. Watts to lumens has the rest.
Another lamp or warmer?
Lamps and warmers