What Size Light Bulb Fits The Edison String Lights

When it comes to decorative outdoor lighting, Edison string lights are beautiful. They can light up your home on any festive occasion. 

But what if one of the bulbs in the string light malfunctions, or you need a spare light for some reason? In that case, finding the correct sized lightbulb becomes a headache. 

That is why I have made this guide to address this. It describes the size of the lightbulb that best fits in an Edison string light. 

So, let’s get to it! 

What Size Light Bulb Fits The Edison String Lights

Before I address the question of what size light bulb fits Edison string lights, it is important to know what these lights actually are. Unlike other string lights that use LEDs, Edison string lights are those that use conventional Edison bulbs, also known as screw bulbs. 

So, in terms of aesthetics, they have a warm, golden glow compared to the highly bright illumination offered by LED bulbs. In addition, they come in vintage shapes and sizes that make them even more visually appealing. 

Technically, the bulbs in Edison string lights use a conventional light filament to provide illumination, and the bulbs are fully replaceable. On the contrary, most LED-based string lights have bulbs that are usually not replaceable. 

Wondering if Edison string lights are relatively cost-effective? That is hardly the case - these lights are considerably more expensive than standard LED-based string lights. So, from a financial standpoint, it might be better to get a new LED string light. 

Besides, the replacement lights are not that easy to find, especially if you don’t know what size light bulb you require. 

That brings me back to the original question - what size light bulb fits the Edison string lights? Well, to answer this, you may need to first look into the size of the screw base that your light sockets can accommodate. The primary screw base and light bulb sizes that can be used in Edison string lights are described below. 

1. E12 Candelabra

With the smallest screw base size, the E12 Candelabra bulb is one of the most common Edison bulbs used in string lights. The diameter of the screw base is just 12 millimeters, due to which the light bulbs have a tiny size. 

They come in the form of small tube-shaped, candle-shaped, or globe-shaped bulbs. And usually tend to emulate the light you get from candle flames, due to which their illumination is also lower. 

So, if the sockets of your Edison string light are compatible with this bulb, you can use them without any issues. Just make sure the shape of the bulb is the same as the other lights on the string. 

2. E14 European

The screw base size for the E14 European Edison bulbs is 14 millimeters. They are also relatively small in size, due to which they are suitable for decorative lighting fixtures. In addition, they provide decent illumination, which is why they are commonly used in Edison string lights. 

These are available in tube, candle flame, and globe-shaped light bulbs, the same as the E12 Candelabra. They are available in the form of A-shaped bulbs and straight-sided marquee bulbs as well. So, if your Edison string light has a 14-millimeter bulb socket, this is the bulb you’ll need. 

3. E17 Intermediate

Another light bulb that is commonly used in Edison string lights is the E17 Intermediate. It has a screw base size of 17 millimeters, and is available in small to medium sizes. Conversely, it comes in 5 shapes, similar to the E14 European. So, if your Edison string lights are compatible with this bulb, you can easily use it, provided you have the correct shape. 

Additionally, they provide a reasonably intense illumination compared to the other two types of bulbs. So, they are also used in other lighting fixtures, such as in wall sconces, chandeliers, and so on. 

Final Words

That was my guide to help you find the size light bulbs for Edison string lights. While there are several other sizes of Edison bulbs available on the market, the ones I have listed are the most common options. 

But before you buy a bulb from the above list, make sure that it is compatible with your string light, as I have already stated. Or else, you may end up regretting your purchase. 

That said, it’s time for me to conclude this brief guide. Stay tuned for more updates. Until then, goodbye!