Lamp Shade Sizes: How to Measure & Choose the Right One.
Every lamp shade is described by three numbers — top diameter, bottom diameter, and slant height. Get them right and a shade looks made for the lamp; get them wrong and even a beautiful shade looks off. This guide covers how to measure, a full size chart by shape, fitter types, and the proportion rules designers actually use.
How to measure a lamp shade.
A lamp shade is written as three measurements in order: top × bottom × slant height. A shade labelled 6 × 12 × 9 has a 6-inch top opening, a 12-inch bottom opening, and a 9-inch slanted side. Here is exactly how to take each one.
- 1Top diameter
Measure straight across the centre of the open top of the shade, edge to edge. On a glass pendant, this is usually the smaller opening near the fitter.
- 2Bottom diameter
Measure straight across the centre of the open bottom — the widest part on most shades. This number drives whether the shade visually balances the base.
- 3Slant height
Run the tape along the sloped side, from the top edge down to the bottom edge — not vertically. On a straight drum, slant height equals the vertical height.
Lamp shade size chart by shape.
Typical dimensions for the most common shade shapes. Use it to translate a shape you like into the numbers you need to order. All figures are common retail ranges — for project and custom orders, any dimension can be made to spec.
| Shade shape | Top Ø | Bottom Ø | Slant height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire | 5–9″ (13–23) | 12–18″ (30–46) | 9–14″ (23–36) | Table lamps, traditional interiors |
| Drum | 14–18″ (36–46) | 14–18″ (36–46) | 8–11″ (20–28) | Modern table & floor lamps, pendants |
| Coolie | 5–7″ (13–18) | 16–20″ (41–51) | 10–12″ (25–30) | Floor lamps, wide or low bases |
| Bell | 4–6″ (10–15) | 11–16″ (28–41) | 9–13″ (23–33) | Traditional & transitional table lamps |
| Cylinder | equal Ø | 5–12″ (13–30) | tall, equal walls | Buffet lamps, narrow consoles |
| Square / Rectangle | varies | 10–18″ (25–46) | 9–13″ (23–33) | Contemporary, console & pairs |
| Oval | narrow oval | 12–16″ (30–41) | 9–12″ (23–30) | Wall-side tables, tight spaces |
| Globe / Pendant glass | fitter neck | 6–14″ (15–36) | by profile | Glass pendants, fixtures, replacements |
| Mini / Chandelier | 3–4″ (8–10) | 4–6″ (10–15) | 4–7″ (10–18) | Chandeliers, sconces, candelabra |
Not sure which shape suits your base? See the full visual guide to lamp shade shapes — each shape with photos and the rooms it works best in.
Lamp shade fitter types & sizes.
The right diameter is useless if the shade won’t mount on your lamp. The “fitter” is the hardware that connects the two. There are four common systems — identify yours before ordering, especially for a replacement.
| Fitter type | How it mounts | Typical size | Commonly found on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spider | Sits on a harp, secured from above by a finial | Standard harp 7–12″ | Most table & floor lamps |
| Uno | A ring threads onto the socket, under the bulb | 1-1/8″ (28mm) ring | Bridge / swing-arm & pharmacy lamps |
| Clip-on | Wire clip grips the bulb directly | Candelabra or standard A-bulb | Chandeliers, sconces, small accent lamps |
| Glass fitter neck | Shade neck slips into the fixture, held by set screws | 1-5/8″, 2-1/4″, 3-1/4″, 4″ | Glass pendants, sconces, ceiling fixtures |
Standard shade sizes by lamp type.
If you only need a fast answer for a specific fixture, start here, then confirm against the proportion rules below.
| Lamp type | Typical bottom Ø | Typical height | Usual shape & fitter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table lamp (standard) | 12–18″ (30–46) | 9–14″ (23–36) | Empire / bell / drum · spider |
| Accent / bedside lamp | 10–13″ (25–33) | 7–10″ (18–25) | Empire / drum · spider |
| Buffet lamp (tall, narrow) | 9–13″ (23–33) | 9–13″ (23–33) | Cylinder / empire · spider |
| Floor lamp | 15–20″ (38–51) | 10–18″ (25–46) | Drum / coolie / empire · spider |
| Pendant (glass) | 6–14″ (15–36) | by profile | Globe / dome / cone · fitter neck |
| Chandelier / sconce | 4–6″ (10–15) | 4–7″ (10–18) | Mini empire / bell · clip-on |
The three rules that never fail.
When in doubt, these three proportion rules will get you a shade that looks intentional. They work for almost any table or floor lamp.
The height rule
The shade height should be about two-thirds the height of the lamp base. A 24-inch base wants a shade around 16 inches tall.
The width rule
The bottom of the shade should be at least as wide as the widest part of the base — ideally an inch or two wider on each side. Never narrower than the base.
The cover rule
The shade should fully hide the socket, harp and any hardware when you look at it from eye level — but not so deep it hides the whole base.
Measuring for a replacement glass shade.
Replacing a single broken or discontinued shade is the most common reason people measure at all. The good news: if you can measure it, it can be reproduced — even antique and discontinued profiles.
To order a replacement glass lamp shade that actually fits, record four things: the fitter neck diameter (the single most important number), the top and bottom diameters, the height, and the glass type (clear, opal/white, frosted, amber). Photograph the shade next to a tape measure for scale. With those details, a maker can match the original — or improve on it with sturdier glass.
Replacement Glass Lamp Shades
Match a broken or discontinued shade by fitter size and profile — clear, opal, frosted or amber glass.
See replacement options →
Replacement Pendant Glass
Globe, dome and cone glass for pendant fixtures, sized to standard 1-5/8″ to 4″ fitter necks.
See pendant glass →
Custom-Sized Glass Shades
Any neck, any diameter, any profile — blown to your exact measurements for odd or vintage fixtures.
Start a custom shade →
Need a non-standard size, in volume?
Retail shades come in fixed sizes. Lighting brands, hospitality projects and interior designers rarely do. As a glass lampshade manufacturer, we make shades to any dimension and fitter spec — from a single restoration match to thousands of units for a hotel rollout.
| Spec | Capability |
|---|---|
| Diameter range | 80mm – 500mm standard · up to 800mm on request |
| Fitter necks | 1-5/8″, 2-1/4″, 3-1/4″, 4″ · any custom neck to drawing |
| Dimensional tolerance | ±2mm (mouth blown) · ±0.5mm (machine pressed) |
| Glass & finish | Clear · opal/white · frosted · amber · smoke · custom Pantone tint |
| MOQ | 500 pcs per SKU (250-pc trial negotiable for new customers) |
| Certifications | CE · RoHS · REACH · SMETA · ISO 9001:2015 |
UK vs US vs EU lamp shade sizing.
The shapes are universal, but how a shade is measured and how it attaches differ by region. This trips up cross-border orders constantly — confirm both before buying.
| Market | Units | Common fitting | Bulb holder |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Inches | Spider + harp / uno | E26 (medium screw) |
| United Kingdom | Centimetres | Ring / washer + reducer | B22 (bayonet) / E27 |
| EU / Europe | Centimetres | Ring + reducer / E27 gimbal | E27 (Edison screw) |
| Glass pendants (global) | Both | Fitter neck + set screws | Independent of shade |
Confused by E27, E26 and B22? Those are bulb-holder standards, not shade sizes — see our separate guide to lamp holder & bulb cap sizes (E27 vs E26 vs B22).
Related shade guides.
Lamp shade size FAQs.
How do you measure a lamp shade?
Measure three numbers: the top diameter (across the open top), the bottom diameter (across the open bottom), and the slant height (along the sloped side, top edge to bottom edge — not straight down). A shade written as 6 × 12 × 9 means a 6-inch top, 12-inch bottom and 9-inch slant height. See the diagram above →
What size lamp shade do I need for my lamp?
Use two rules. Height: the shade should be about two-thirds the height of the lamp base. Width: the bottom of the shade should be at least as wide as the widest part of the base, ideally a couple of inches wider on each side, and wide enough to hide the socket and harp.
What is a fitter on a lamp shade?
The fitter is the hardware that attaches the shade to the lamp. The four common types are spider (sits on a harp, held by a finial), uno (screws onto the socket under the bulb), clip-on (clips to the bulb), and glass fitter neck (the neck slips into the fixture and is held by set screws). Standard glass neck sizes are 1-5/8″, 2-1/4″, 3-1/4″ and 4″. Full fitter table →
What is the standard lamp shade size for a table lamp?
Most table lamps take a shade with a bottom diameter of 12 to 18 inches and a slant height of 9 to 14 inches, usually in an empire, bell or drum shape. Keep the shade height at roughly two-thirds the height of the base.
Are UK, US and EU lamp shade sizes the same?
The shapes are the same, but the conventions differ. US shades are measured in inches and usually use a spider/harp fitting; UK and EU shades are measured in centimetres and more often use a ring (washer) or reducer sized to the bulb holder (E27 or B22). Always confirm both the diameter and the fitting type when ordering across regions. See the comparison →
Can I get a replacement glass lamp shade in a custom size?
Yes. Measure the fitter neck diameter plus the top, bottom and height, and a glass lampshade manufacturer can reproduce it — including discontinued and antique profiles — typically from a minimum order of 500 pieces, with smaller trial runs negotiable.
Send us the size — we’ll make the shade.
Whether it’s one replacement for a discontinued fixture or a full custom run for a hotel or lighting brand, give us the fitter neck and three diameters and we’ll quote in 24 hours. Glass lampshade manufacturer since 1999.