F = Fitter: the area where the glass shade attaches to the fixture or lamp
H = Height
D = Diameter
How to Measure
DETERMINE HOW YOUR GLASS SHADE IS HELD IN PLACE AND ALWAYS TAKE MEASUREMENTS FROM THE OUTSIDE EDGE TO THE OUTSIDE EDGE. Glass shades are slightly undersize or less than their stated measurement
1. Does it sit on a round ring or tripod? You probably want a Student Shade. Measure the ring, outside edge to outside edge. Standard sizes are 5", 6", 7", 8", 10", 12" and 14". Look under the STUDENT SHADE category in our store. 14" shades are found under the PARLOR SHADE category. There is often a holder for a chimney within the larger ring. Again, measure that holder outside to outside and look under the CHIMNEY section. Chimney height is a matter of personal taste. If you are using another shade that sits around the chimney, you want the chimney to extend 2″-4″ above the top of the shade.
2. Is the glass lamp shade held in place by three screws and does it have a slightly flared neck? If so, measure the cup or holder, outside edge to outside edge. This will be slightly larger than the glass itself.
- If the holder measures 2 1/2", you are looking for 2 1/4" FITTER shades. You can also find 2 1/4" fitter shades under the CASED GLASS category.
- If the holder measures just over 3 1/4" or 4", you will find this size under the CEILING AND DISH GLASS category, as well as under the 3 1/4" or 4" CASED GLASS categories.
- 6" and 8" sizes are shown under the CEILING AND DISH GLASS category.
3. Does your glass shade sit on a ring with no screws? You may be looking for a GONE WITH THE WIND globe. The ring will measure just over 4" and the globe will have a straight neck that just sits on the ring. There is usually a smaller holder for a chimney within the larger 4' ring.
4. Does your glass lamp shade have a fairly flat or neckless opening? Do you put it on the lamp around the light bulb socket and then thread a ring around the threaded part of the protruding socket? If so, look under the NECKLESS SHADE and FAUX ALABASTER categories. Sometimes the 2 1/4 FITTER shades will also work, even though they have a small neck.
5. Glass shades for Floor lamps can be confusing. We have found the most common types to be as follows:
- If your lamp is newer, and you need a glass with a 1 5/8"-1 7/8" opening, you may need #965, #966, or #968 , found under the NECKLESS SHADE or TORCHIERES FOR NEW LAMPS category. The shade is placed on the lamp around the bulb socket, and a ring threads around the part that protrudes.
- Shades on older torchiere lamps have a longish neck that measures 2 3/4" which fits around an oversize Mogul light bulb socket. Look under the TORCHIERES FOR OLDER LAMPS category for this style.
- There is also very popular floor lamp, dating from the 1930-1950's, that looks like a torchiere but uses a different type of glass. If your floor lamp has a holder with screws, it will not take the older torch style. You need what is called an IES glass shade. Often the IES shade supports a fabric shade. Look under the DIFFUSERS FOR FLOOR LAMPS category.
6. Chimneys usually sit within several prongs or inside of a round gallery. Again, measure outside edge to outside edge of the fitter and then look under the CHIMNEY category.
7. Hurricane glass shades are commonly used on chandeliers and wall sconces. The holder or cup will measure about 1 3/4" outside edge to outside edge. The glass itself is called a 1 5/8" fitter, although the actual measurement is closer to 1 1/2". Look under the 1 5/8" FITTER, CHANDELIER GLASS or HURRICANE categories for this style.
Remember that glass lamp shades are undersize. So if you are measuring the actual glass diameter, outside edge to outside edge, it will measure a bit less than its stated fitter size. If you measure a chimney, for example, whose bottom measures 2 7/8", you will need a 3" chimney. If you are measuring a student shade whose actual measurement is 6 3/4", you will need a 7" student shade. We carry many more styles and sizes of glass lamp shades - the ones listed here are some of the more common ones. Please check our Full Catalog to see many more categories of shades. And if you need more help, please call us at 617-497-0770. We're here to help!
