Original printable reference

Bulb label decoder

Copy what is actually printed before recycling the old lamp. The chart separates universal fields from manufacturer-specific part-number syntax.Published August 27, 2026 · Original BulbMatch SVG

Use the chart at the fixture

Switch off power, allow the bulb to cool, and remove it where practical.
Photograph every printed line and the fixture label before the text rubs off.
Copy uncertain characters exactly; mark them with a question mark instead of guessing.
Use the complete manufacturer name and model string to find the official specification.

The sample values on the chart are illustrative, not one real product and not a promise that every lamp carries every field.

Download the printable SVG

Reuse

You may reuse the unmodified chart in an article, repair guide, classroom handout, or forum answer with a visible link to getbulbmatch.com/printable-bulb-label-guide/. Keep the safety note and the statement that the sample is illustrative.

Put the recorded fields into a replacement brief →

Field by field

What each marking can establish

Not every label follows the same order. Treat each field separately and leave missing facts unknown.

Field	Example	What it means
Shape	`A19, BR30, PAR38`	Envelope and nominal diameter; not the socket.
Base	`E26, GU10, G9`	Connection type and nominal thread or pin spacing.
Voltage	`120 V, 12 V`	Must agree with the fixture, supply, and any transformer.
Input power	`9 W`	Energy used; stay within the fixture's stated limit.
Light output	`800 lm`	Use lumens to compare brightness.
Light color	`2700 K`	Kelvin describes warm-to-cool appearance, not brightness.
Color rendering	`90 CRI`	A color-rendering value, when the maker states one.
Controls	`Dimmable`	The lamp claim does not guarantee every dimmer will work.
Use ratings	`Enclosed / damp / wet`	Only count a rating that is stated for the exact model.
Model / SKU	`Maker-specific`	Search the full string with the manufacturer name.

Why the fields are separate

A19 is not E26, and 9 W is not 800 lm.

ANSI/NEMA envelope codes describe shape and nominal diameter. The FTC Lighting Facts framework separates brightness, energy cost, life, light appearance, energy used, and mercury disclosure. Manufacturer part numbers can combine fields in their own order, so decode them only with that maker's key.

Federal Trade CommissionLighting Facts label guidance ↗ANSI / NEMALamp envelope nomenclature scope ↗BulbMatch guideRead common code families in context →