A19 Bulb vs E26 Bulb - What's the Difference?

8/1/2017

Lighting terminology can be confusing if you're not in the industry. And if you've seen what looks like the same type of light called both an A19 bulb and an E26 bulb, you might be wondering what the difference is.

Thing is, they might be the same thing.

A19 refers to the shape and size of the bulb itself. "A" stands for Arbitrary -- just the name of the shape that's familiar to most of us. "19" refers to the size -- in this case, 19/8" (or 2 3/8") across.

E26 refers to the type and size of the base -- the part that goes into the light socket. "E" refers to "Edison," which is the type of "screw in" style base people in the United States are most familiar with. 26 refers to 26 mm across. (This is also called a "medium" base.)

So the light bulb that most of us have used in our homes here in the States is an A19 bulb with an E26 base.

You can find LED bulbs that fit that description here, or other types of bulbs here.

The reason it's useful to know both the shape and base is because you can't just ask for one of these and get the bulb you're looking for. Most A19 bulbs in the States will have an E26 base, but there are exceptions. And there are many shapes of bulbs that have E26 bases, so just asking for an E26 bulb won't get you very far.

We hope this helps you sort through the terminology!

18 Comments

Tex

2/9/2018 08:29:01 am

Great explanation! Appreciate the thoroughness of the answer; especially the inclusion of the labeled picture of a bulb!!

Alan Callahan

4/2/2018 06:24:49 pm

Wow, this was so concise I will never forget it. Thank you.

Darrell Carruthers

12/4/2018 06:21:31 pm

Well explained for light bulb 101, Thanks from Canada (West side)

Linda Van Buskirk

2/6/2019 12:53:16 pm

Thanks...am looking for soft Amber decorative, dimmible bulbs for 6 light hanging with E26 base. Almost ordered E12 chandelier bulbs... Saved me much stress... Seems like an elusive search.

Brittney @ Lighting Supply

2/6/2019 02:57:19 pm

Hi Linda! I'm glad you found this post helpful. We have a pretty good selection of amber colored bulbs with E26 bases. You can view them at the link below!

https://www.lightingsupply.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=amber+E26#/filter:lsc_shape:C15/filter:lsc_shape:F15$2520Flame/filter:lsc_shape:G25/filter:lsc_shape:B10

Kevin Garry

6/19/2019 11:05:06 am

Great explanation, but could you list the exceptions? What other bulbs, besides A19, use an E26 base ... or what bases, besides E26, will you find on A19 bulbs? Thanks.

6/23/2019 10:23:03 pm

Hi Kevin! Thank you for the feedback and follow-up questions. Many light bub shapes and sizes utilize the medium, standard base - including many LED bulbs.

Lighting Supply carries A19 bulbs that also use the GU24 twist and lock style base, along with the European style B22D base.

APP

7/29/2019 05:29:36 pm

Hi there! I would like to ask you a question. I just bought a small ceiling fan that takes an A15 bulb. I understand that A15 is not available as a smart bulb. I am wondering if you can substitute an A19 smart bulb for an A15 as long as they both have the same base size? Thanks in advance for your input!

8/8/2019 02:28:18 pm

Hi! There would be two things to consider if you want to do this.

1. Will the A19 bulb fit into the fixture? A19s are slightly larger than A15 bulbs.

2. Will the fixture be able to support the wattage of the A19 bulb?

If both of these are a "yes", you should be okay to use the A19 bulb in your new ceiling fan.

Hope this helps! If you have further questions, feel free to give our Customer Service team a call at 877-231-2852.

Jerome Charles

8/17/2019 11:10:58 pm

This was a really great explanation! Short, through and super clear.

Thank you:)

John Locke

9/21/2019 06:33:30 pm

When discussing the A19 E26 bulbs, is there a code for different lengths (top to bottom) of the bulbs? I have bathroom fixtures in two bathrooms that use A19 E26 bulbs that are slightly shorter than standard bulbs (and one of these is slightly shorter than the other). Is there a length chart with different codes for these?

9/23/2019 11:06:39 am

Hi John -

Unfortunately, A19 bulbs do not have a "standard" length. They can range from 3.9 - 4.3 inches in length. The only standard for A19 bulbs comes in the diameter.

wade

2/2/2020 05:02:55 pm

I am so impressed with your truth and integrity in your site description of the A19 and E26 that I will BUY from you! I am a PE in Texas and just needed to know a little bit. Thank you!

David

4/10/2020 09:40:46 pm

Thank you for this clear and concise explanation.

Barbara

7/21/2020 07:52:36 pm

Thank you! so concise in your explanation. Browsing the light bulb section makes me want to cry and tear my hair out - so complex! This will make it much easier

7/22/2020 07:23:25 am

Hi Barbara. Happy to hear we were able to help you navigate the crazy world of lighting! If you have questions in the future, please don't hesitate to give our knowledgeable Customer Service Team a call at 877.231.2852.

Dawn

9/3/2020 12:20:54 pm

This was helpful - thank you! Just want to get one clarification. I have a hanging pendant lamp that requires an A type bulb (according to the safety sticker on it) but I want to put in a dimmable Edison bulb, LED ST19 with an E26 base. Will this be safe to put in the light fixture even though it doesn't say "A" type bulb?

9/14/2020 12:41:39 pm

Hi Dawn -

I love the vintage look of the Edison bulbs! The ST19 bulb is very similar to an A19 bulb in shape. As long as the wattage does not exceed the fixture's max capacity, these bulbs will work great.

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A19 Bulb vs E26 Bulb - What's the Difference?

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