Calculate this by measuring the widest part of your lamp base and multiplying it by two.
How to know what size lampshade to buy.
So now that you know your lamp base shape it s time to grab a tape measure.
Here are our guidelines for how to measure a lamp for a shade.
Measure lamp for shade size.
If you ever come home from the antique market with a new lamp base sans lampshade take heed of this golden rule before rushing out to grab any old covering.
Make sure the lamp shade is wider than the widest part of your lamp body.
In most cases your lamp shade should be roughly 2 3 the height of the lamp body.
Be sure of the fitting you need.
Choosing your lampshade s diameter width your lampshade should be at least 2x wider than the widest part of the base.
Video by beau sam.
Floor lamp shades should clear the widest part of the bulb by at least 3 5 on each side of the bulb unless using compact fluorescent bulb.
You don t want the socket or the switch to be visible.
Don t slim down too much.
Lampshade size is usually expressed in terms of its diameter 16 shade has a diameter of 16.
The best shade will mimic the base of the lamp and the shape of the table.
When shade shopping the shade size refers to the width across the bottom of the shade.
The bottom edge of the lampshade should fall midway on the neck of the lamp.