
Shape | Diameter (inches) | Shape | Diameter (inches) |
BR20 | 2-1/2 | R16 | 2 |
BR30 | 3-6/8 | R20 | 2-1/2 |
BR38 | 4-6/8 | R30 | 3-6/8 |
BR40 | 5 | R40 | 5 |
Can I use BR30 instead of R30?
So, a BR30 is 30/8 inches, or three and 3/4 inches. An MR11 is 11/8 inches. So, you can swap out a PAR30 for an R30 or a BR30 – they are all the same size. Then Does BR30 fit E26? The BR30 is for an E26 light socket, while the A19 is for an A19 socket. The E26 is a smaller / thinner socket and is a lot less common than the A19.
How to choose a BR30 LED lamp?
- 2700K is considered the same color as the classic incandescent light bulb
- 3000K is slightly bluer and is similar to halogen bulb light color, but still has a warm, inviting yellow color to it.
- 4000K is often called "neutral white" because it is neither blue nor yellow - and is the middle of the color temperature scale.
What is BR30 for a light bulb?
The number following the letters in a recessed light bulb indicates size: it's the diameter of the light bulb in eighths of an inch. So, a BR30 is 30/8 inches, or three and 3/4 inches. The PAR denotes the light bulb has a parabolic aluminized reflector on its inside, directing light out. Popular.
What does BR20 bulb mean?
What is br20? Reflector (R) or Bulged Reflector (BR) 20 bulbs have a reflective coating on the inside of the bulb that directs light forward. Therefore, a R/BR 20 light bulb is 2.5 inches in diameter. R/BR20 LED Replacements B/R20 bulbs are some of the best applications for LED due to their directional nature. Click to see full answer.

What does BR20 mean?
A BR20 is a small downlight that is most commonly used in recessed lighting (aka “cans” placed in the ceiling of a home or office. A BR20 is a directional bulb as opposed to one the shines light in all directions. A BR20 is almost always an LED bulb, as opposed to an incandescent or CFL.
What is a BR20 light?
Reflector (R) bulbs put approximately double the amount of light (foot-candles) on the front central area as General Service (A) of same wattage. Like all light bulbs, the 20 value represents the diameter of the bulb in 1⁄8 of an inch. Therefore, a R/BR 20 light bulb is 2.5 inches in diameter.
Is PAR 30 the same as BR30?
Notice that a PAR30 is the same diameter as a BR30 bulb. You can swap these bulb types to change from wide to spot, depending on what you need in each location.
Are R and BR bulbs interchangeable?
What is the difference between Par and BR/R bulbs? Both kinds of bulbs are practically interchangeable, depending on your space and your lighting needs. If you are looking for a sharp, more focused light, you may consider Par bulbs. However, you may find that BR bulbs can offer just as much light output.
Is R20 the same as BR20?
BR20 bulbs are often referred to as R20 but have the same characteristics of other BR bulb types. The R stands for reflector. Numbers in each code refer to the bulb's diameter in one-eighths of an inch.
Are BR30 and BR40 interchangeable?
For general lighting, most cans are 4" or 5" or 6". For 4" cans, you cannot choose BR40 bulbs -- they're too big. For 5" cans, a BR30 will fit with a little space to all sides while a BR40 will fit with little to no space on the sides.
Why do my can lights keep burning out?
The excess pressure from screwing in a light bulb too tight can warp the metal connection tab at the bottom of the socket of the fixture, creating a loose connection over time and causing the light bulb to flicker. This will ultimately cause the light bulb to burn out faster.
What is the difference between BR30 and par 38?
Size comparison of PAR vs BR floodlights The number represents increments of an 8th of an inch. For example, a BR30 is 30/8ths of an inch or 30 divided by 8 which equals 3.75″ in diameter. The same example applies to a PAR38. Divide 38/8ths of an inch or 38 divided by 8 which equals 4.75″ in diameter.
What kind of light bulbs go in recessed lights?
The four light bulb types used in residential recessed lighting are incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent (CFL), and light emitting diode (LED).
What is the difference between R30 and R40 bulbs?
R30 vs R40 As with all LED flood light bulbs the difference between R30 and R40 is the diameter, which can be measured with the number code by referring to it as 1/8”. Using the R30 bulb as an example, the number 30 would represent 30 eighths of an inch, which would mean that the diameter of the bulb is 3.75”.
Are all flood lights the same size?
Secondly are your flood lamps. These come in three main sizes for most homes, PAR20, PAR30, and PAR38.
What does BR40 mean on a light bulb?
BR30 vs BR40 In a Nutshell It's pretty simple. The numbers 30 and 40 refer to the size of the bulb, which are measured in 1/8 of an inch. So a BR30 bulb measures 3.75 inches, and a BR40 is 5 inches.
What is the difference between PAR20 and R20 bulb?
Either way, the bottom line is that a PAR20 and R20 bulb are the same size and can be used in similar situations, but the PAR20 will be better when more focused light is desired and an R20 will be better for more diffused light and general lighting situations.
What is an R20 bulb?
R20 bulbs are a style of flood light bulb with a reflective coating on the inside of the bulb. As with other flood lights, the 20 indicates the bulb's diameter in 1/8 of an inch. This means any R20 bulb's diameter is approximately 2.5 inches.
What is E26 bulb?
The term E26 refers to a light bulb's cap or base - the bulb component that allows for both electrical and mechanical contact. The letter "E" in E26 refers to Edison Screw, the most standard of lamp bases, while the numerical "26" refers to its diameter in millimeters (approximately 1 inch).
What is A19 medium base bulb?
A19 is a term that describes the overall shape and size of a light bulb. Specifically, the bulb should be roughly pear-shaped , and have a length of 100-110 mm and a width of approximately 60 mm.
What is BR bulb?
BR bulbs are descendants of the R-shape bulb and therefore very similar in shape. However, the “Bulged Reflector” bulb (abbreviated as “BR”) includes an extra reflector in the neck of the bulb to better capture and cast light forward which was previously lost in the neck and sides of the standard R bulb. This extra reflector in the BR bulb creates ...
How to tell if a bulb is a BR or R shape?
Once you know whether your bulb is an R-shape or a BR-shape, then the numerical part of the shape code represents the widest part of the bulb measured in eighths of an inch. If you divide the number in the shape code by 8, the resulting answer is the diameter of your bulb in inches.
What is the R on a light bulb?
The type and size of your bulb can be determined by the shape code, made up of 1-3 letters followed by a number. A standalone “R” stands for reflector, which is a mirror-like coating located on the inside of the bulb’s glass housing, ...
What is a G30 bulb?
The most common type is the large G30 bulb, which is used in bathroom and makeup vanities.
What is PAR36 light?
PAR36 bulbs are sometimes referred to as aluminized reflector (AR111) bulbs.
Do LED BR bulbs need reflectors?
LED BR bulbs don’t require the reflector material.
What is the difference between a BR30 and a BR40 LED bulb?
The biggest differences between the BR30 and BR40 LED light bulbs are size and brightness . The BR40 is about 1.25-inches bigger than its counterpart. This means that, if you are using canned lighting, you have to be a little more specific in the size of the bulb you choose.
Which is better, a BR40 or a BR40?
BR40s. That said, BR40s generally have higher wattage options, making them better for spreading more light across the room. The two also have the same beam angle, but the BR40 would have a wider lens. That also helps them spread light across greater distances.
How big is a BR30 bulb?
They refer to the bulb size in terms of 1/8-inches. So, a BR30 is 30/8 while the BR40 is 40/8. Or to put it more simply, the BR30 is about 3.75-inches while the BR40 is about 5-inches. If you have recessed cans, you would want to know the size first and foremost. When it comes to general lighting, most of the cans out there are going to be in ...
Does the BR30 get warmer?
The BR30 might also get warmer when you dim them but just check the packaging before buying them. The big selling point is coloring. We tend to perceive colors differently based on how the object is lit. LED does a great job of providing accurate colors and also renders many more colors than incandescent.
Is the BR30 better than the BR40?
The BR30 is rated for a slightly lesser lifespan than the BR40 but the difference is ultimately going to be negligible. There are factors that can impact the lifespan of LED lights, however. If your bulbs are exposed to cold temperatures or frequent on-off cycles, it could bring down the light quality.
Is the BR30 a good light bulb?
The biggest selling point by far for the BR30 and BR40 is that they are LED light bulbs. LED is superior to incandescent light bulbs in many ways. Even if you ignore the long-term cost savings that LED light bulbs have, there are still several more benefits that make it a superior option over incandescent.
Do BR30 bulbs get hot?
Heat. Both the BR30 and BR40 bulbs will stay cool to the touch, at least at the bulb portion. Incandescent, on the other hand, will get extremely hot. Like, hot enough that it could burn your hand if you were to try to unscrew one that is on. The heat sinks on LED lighting are what gets hot.
What is the difference between a BR30 and a BR40 bulb?
If the bulbs are equal in wattage, this may not make much of a practical difference; but BR40s commonly come in higher wattage options , helping them spread light across a room from that greater height.
How wide is a BR30?
Hi Chris. The numbers associated with these lights refers to the diameter of the face in 1/8". So a BR30 is supposed to be 3.75" across. Assuming some brand doesn't call it a BR30 and then build it differently, the answer is yes -- it should fit with an inner opening of 4", leaving minimal extra space.
What size can I use for a BR40?
Sounds like you're using a 5" can, which just barely fits a BR40. Most new cans are 4" or 6". A BR40 with a 5" can could certainly trap heat, although today's LEDs are no doubt better at managing heat than the earliest LEDs. Still, they do produce a lot at the base of the lamp.
How big is a BR40 bulb?
Or more simply, the BR30 is just under 4" across and the BR40 is 5" across. So when you're choosing a bulb for recessed cans, the first thing to know is the size of the cans. For general lighting, most cans are 4" or 5" or 6". For 4" cans, you cannot choose BR40 bulbs -- they're too big. For 5" cans, a BR30 will fit with a little space ...
What is BR bulb?
Let’s start by understanding the terminology. In the names of these bulbs, BR refers to a bulged reflector; this shape is used to evenly spread light, which is why these are used for general lighting.
Can you use a BR40 bulb on a 4" can?
For 4" cans, you cannot choose BR40 bulbs -- they're too big. For 5" cans, a BR30 will fit with a little space to all sides while a BR40 will fit with little to no space on the sides. For 6" cans, a BR30 may leave so much space between the bulb and trim that you don't care for the look, though this is a personal choice.
