Beam Angle
The angle at which light spreads from a bulb. Narrow angles (15-30°) create spotlights; wide angles (60-120°) create flood light.
Beam angle determines whether a bulb acts like a flashlight or a lantern. A 15° beam creates a tight, dramatic cone of light — perfect for highlighting a painting or architectural detail. A 120° beam washes an entire room in even light from a single fixture.
This spec matters most for recessed lighting and track lighting, where you're choosing between spot and flood versions of the same bulb. Too narrow in a hallway and you get pools of light with dark spots between them. Too wide in a gallery and nothing is highlighted — everything gets the same flat wash.
A good rule of thumb: use 25-40° for accent lighting (artwork, displays, features), 40-60° for general downlighting in kitchens and living rooms, and 60-120° for broad ambient coverage in commercial spaces.
Specifications
| 15-25° | Narrow spot — accent lighting, artwork |
| 25-40° | Spot — task lighting, display |
| 40-60° | Narrow flood — general downlighting |
| 60-120° | Wide flood — room illumination |
Related Terms
- Recessed Lighting
Light fixtures installed flush into the ceiling, creating a clean, unobtrusive look. Also called can lights or downlights. Available as integrated LED or with replaceable bulbs.
- Accent Lighting
Decorative, directional light used to highlight artwork, architectural features, or plants. The third layer of lighting design — adds drama and visual interest.
- MR16 Bulb
A compact multifaceted reflector bulb 2 inches in diameter, commonly used in track lighting, display cases, and landscape fixtures. Usually runs on 12V.
- PAR38 Bulb
A parabolic aluminized reflector bulb 4.75 inches in diameter. Produces a focused, controlled beam — commonly used for outdoor floods and track lighting.