What is a spotlight? What is a flood light? Knowing the characteristics of these two lights is important when choosing light bulbs and fixtures for landscape, off-road, and interior lighting applications. The first step to understanding the difference between spotlights and flood lights is knowing what a beam angle is.
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A beam angle is a measurement of the angles that are formed between a cone of light’s brightest point (the center) and the points on both sides of the center where the light’s intensity is 50 percent as bright. Having a larger beam angle means the light will spread over a larger area than if it had a small beam angle. In the photo below, you can see how the width of the beam increases as the angle gets larger.
From left to right: landscape spotlight showing 15°, 30°, and 60° beam anglesBulbs and fixtures might not always be labeled as spot or flood specifically, but their beam angles define them as such. Another way to tell the difference between a flood beam and a spot beam is by the light's NEMA light beam type. The NEMA classification measures the horizontal and vertical beam intensity area. This is designated by two numbers: Horizontal Type # X Vertical Type #. This classification measures 10% of the maximum horizontal and vertical beam intensity area.
Any light with a beam angle of around 45 degrees and above is considered a flood light. Flood lights are used to light up larger areas with a wide light spread. Flood light fixtures are commonly used for landscape lighting, parking lots, tree uplighting, architectural lighting, work lighting, off-road lighting, and other applications that require a wide light distribution.
Spotlights have a max beam angle of around 30 degrees. These lights are used to shine a focused beam of light to highlight smaller objects or details. Spotlights are often found in gardens, theaters, above garage doors, on police and search and rescue vehicles, or in other applications where focused light is needed.
Sometimes flood and spot bulbs may look the same but emit completely different beam patterns. For example, the photo to the right shows a PAR30 bulb that is available with a spot and flood beam pattern. The bulb sizes are the same despite emitting different beam angles. This means that you can swap out flood beam or spot beam bulbs into any fixture that is compatible with that light bulb size.
The most common light fixtures you may think of when thinking about spotlights and flood lights are landscape fixtures. Landscape spotlights are used in outdoor lighting to highlight specific features like trees, shrubs, sculptures, or architectural elements. They emit a concentrated beam of light, allowing for precise illumination and a dramatic effect. On the other hand, landscape flood lights are used to light larger areas such as yards, building facades, or signage. They offer a wide beam of light, which also can help enhance security. Both outdoor spotlight and flood lights are great additions to low-voltage landscape lighting systems.
Any fixture with a round head is considered a spotlight fixture, while any fixture that is rectangular or oval is considered a flood light fixture. Therefore, “spotlight” can refer to the beam angle of a bulb as well as the fixture style. The same is true for flood lights.
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A typical landscape spotlight fixture A typical landscape flood light fixtureLED light bars and light pods can emit flood, spot, or combination beams. If you’re off-roading and need to see far down the path ahead of you, a light bar or pod light with a spot beam will project a longer, narrow beam of illumination. A flood beam would allow you to see a wider area at a closer distance. Combination beams combine both spot and flood beams to see wide areas from far away. For help determining which beam angle is best for your off-road needs, click here.
From left to right: LED light bar using flood, spot, and spot/flood combo beamsWhen choosing the beam angle of light bulbs for your home, it is important to think about the everyday function that will be performed in that space. For example, a bulb with a spot beam would be the best choice for installing track lights in your kitchen since it will shine light directly over the sink or stove where you need it. Or, if you have a large gathering space, it might be best to install bulbs with a wider beam pattern that will emit an even spread of light around the room.
GU10 LED spotlight bulbs with 30° beam anglesIn the end, it’s up to you to choose which light is best for your application. Just keep in mind what large and small beam patterns are designed to do, and you should have no problem creating the look you’re aiming for.
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Spotlights and floodlights are commonly used terms to describe how focused the light is coming out of a fixture. There isn’t any set standard for what these terms mean, which is why many people get confused when they are used. In general, a spotlight is referred to a light that has a focused light creating more of a “spot” than a “wash” of light. The term floodlight is used when referring to a very wide spread of light that washes a wall. Many people think the shape of the fixture determines which is which. However, this is not true with the use of lenses.
Lens angles can be confusing. To make it easier to decide, just remember that the smaller the angle, the more narrow and further the beam will go. We recommend anything 25° and smaller for second floors and anything 45° and larger for first floors. 45° is our most popular option as it can be used in the widest range of applications.
The lens angle used on a fixture can affect how bright the light looks visually. While the amount of lumens, or light, coming out of a fixture remains the same, the lens will focus that light on a very small spot or a very wide area depending on the degree of lens chosen. The more focused the light, the brighter the light will look because all of the lumens coming out of the LED are focused on to a very small area. Conversely, if a wide angle lens is chosen the light will look more dim because the same amount of light is dispersed to a wide area.
In order to offset this affect, the Haven Home Lighting smart line of lighting can adjust the brightness of each light, or groups of lights, to make all the lights look the same brightness no matter the lens angle used.
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