Lighting Socket Types Explained: E26, Threaded Sockets & Shade Compati

Light bulb with a black base being inserted into a silver base. E26 socket

What is a Socket?

A socket is the part your bulb screws into

It controls what bulbs and shades are compatible

All of our fixtures use standard E26 sockets

Socket Types and Compatibility

Most people don’t think about sockets until something doesn’t fit. Wrong base size, wrong voltage, wrong bulb type — and suddenly the fixture you love doesn’t work the way you expected. At Hangout Lighting, we simplify that. Every system is built around clear compatibility rules so you can design freely without worrying about what works together.

E26: The Standard (and Why It Matters)

E26 is the standard socket used in most U.S. homes — and it’s what all of our fixtures are built around.

Works with widely available LED bulbs
Easy to replace or upgrade over time
Compatible with a wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles
Fully dimmable with the right bulb + switch

But more importantly, it keeps your options open. You’re not locked into a specific brightness, color temperature, or proprietary system. You can adjust the look anytime — warmer, cooler, larger globes, different styles — without replacing the fixture. It’s simple, flexible, and built to last.

Socket Types

Socket	Base size	Bulb compatibility	Common application	Replaceable
E26 Medium Edison screw ★ Our standard	26 mm (~1 in)North American standard	A19, G25, G30, ST64, tubular, Edison vintageThousands of options from every major brand	Pendants, chandeliers, sconces, table lampsResidential & commercial decorative	Yes
E12 Candelabra screw	12 mmSmaller than E26	Candelabra & flame-tip bulbsNarrower selection, lower wattages	Decorative chandeliers, nightlights, vanity strips	Limited
GU10 Twist-lock bayonet	10 mm pinsPush & twist to lock	PAR16/MR16 directional bulbs onlyNot compatible with Edison-base bulbs	Recessed cans, track lighting, retail display	Fixture-only
Integrated LED Hardwired, no socket	N/ALight engine is fixed	LED array is the light source — no external bulbCannot swap without replacing fixture	Commercial downlights, under-cabinet strips, some modern pendants	Replace fixture

E26 Medium Edison screw ★ Our standard

Base size 26 mm (~1 in)North American standard

Bulbs A19, G25, G30, ST64, tubular, Edison vintageThousands of options

Used for Pendants, chandeliers, sconces, table lamps

Replaceable

E12 Candelabra screw

Base size 12 mmSmaller than E26

Bulbs Candelabra & flame-tipNarrower selection, lower wattages

Used for Decorative chandeliers, nightlights, vanity strips

Limited

GU10 Twist-lock bayonet

Base size 10 mm pinsPush & twist to lock

Bulbs PAR16/MR16 directional onlyNot compatible with Edison-base bulbs

Used for Recessed cans, track lighting, retail display

Fixture-only

Integrated LED Hardwired, no socket

Base size N/A — light engine is fixed

Bulbs No external bulb — LED array is permanentCannot swap without replacing fixture

Used for Commercial downlights, under-cabinet strips, some modern pendants

Replace fixture

Hangout Socket Styles

All socket styles use standard E26 bulbs — choose based on look and whether you’re adding a shade.

Modern

Clean, minimal cover

Simple cylindrical design for a modern look. Also used inside our neckless shades

Modern Threaded

Sleek + shade-ready

Minimal design with a threaded ring for 1 5/8" fitter shades

Vintage

Classic heavy brass

A more traditional profile with subtle texture and vintage feel.

Vintage Threaded

For shades

Includes a threaded ring to hold shades with a 1 5/8" hole.

Key

On / Off Switch

Turn knob for power control at the socket

All Socket Finishes

Color swatches for socket choices including modern, vintage, and threaded 1 5/8 shade holder, wood sokets

Shade Fitters & Compatibility

Attachment Type

Fitter Diameter

Shade Opening Size

Compatible With Our Fixtures

Swappable

1⅝" shade fitter

Standard fitter ring

★ Our Standard

1⅝ inches

~41 mm inner diameter

Shades with a 1⅝" opening

A simple hole — most common decorative shade size in the US

Yes — all our sockets are threaded for 1⅝" fitters

Works with our full shade library

Yes

2¼" shade fitter

Large fitter ring

⇅ Adapter Available

2¼ inches

~57 mm inner diameter

Shades with a 2¼" neck

Shade holder adapter required (available)

Yes — with our 1⅝" to 2¼" adapter

Adapter slides onto our threaded socket; 3 set screws clamp onto the shade neck to hold it in place

With Adapter

Spider fitter

4-arm, mounts on harp

4" or 6" arm spread

Arms rest on harp saddle

No shade opening — shade drops over harp, arms rest on saddle

Requires a harp + saddle on the lamp

No — requires harp hardware not used in our fixtures

Standard for table & floor lamps only

Not Compatible

Uno fitter

Shade threads onto socket

Fits E26 socket neck

No separate fitter ring needed

Shade collar threads directly onto socket body

Must remove shade entirely to change bulb

No — our sockets use a fitter ring, not an uno thread

Incompatible attachment method

Not Compatible

Clip-on

Spring clips onto bulb

No fitter opening

Wire spring grips bulb neck

Spring wire clips directly around the bulb — no shade opening

Bulb shape & diameter affects fit and stability

Technically yes, but not recommended

Shades can shift or fall on pendant & chandelier fixtures

Not Recommended

Neckless holder

Shade holder + shade cap

Varies by globe size

Cradle ring holds globe from below

Globe sits on the shade holder — no neck opening

A shade cap screws in from the top to secure the globe; socket lives inside

Yes — used across many of our pendant and chandelier fixtures

Globe size is specified per fixture

Globe-Specific

1⅝" shade fitter Standard fitter ring ★ Our Standard

Diameter 1⅝ inches (~41 mm)

Opening Simple hole in the shade — most common decorative size in the US

Compatible Yes — works with our full shade library

Yes — Swappable

2¼" shade fitter Large fitter ring ⇅ Adapter Available

Diameter 2¼ inches (~57 mm)

Opening Shades with a 2¼" neckShade holder adapter required (available)

Compatible Yes — adapter slides onto our socket; 3 set screws clamp onto the shade neck

With Adapter

Spider fitter 4-arm, mounts on harp

Diameter 4" or 6" arm spread

Opening No shade opening — arms rest on harp saddle inside the shade

Compatible No — requires harp hardware not used in our fixtures

Not Compatible

Uno fitter Shade threads onto socket

Diameter Fits E26 socket neck — no ring

Opening Shade collar threads directly onto socket body

Compatible No — our sockets use a fitter ring, not an uno thread

Not Compatible

Clip-on Spring clips onto bulb

Opening No fitter — wire spring grips bulb neck directly

Compatible Technically yes, but shades can shift or fall on pendant & chandelier fixtures

Not Recommended

Neckless holder Shade holder + shade cap

Opening Globe sits on the shade holder; shade cap screws in from the top — socket lives inside

Compatible Yes — used across many of our pendant and chandelier fixturesGlobe size specified per fixture

Globe-Specific

2 1/4" Shade Holder

Looking for a pendant to hold your shade with a 2 1/4" neck? Or shade adapters slip on our threaded sockets and clamp the shade with 3 set screws. Available in 9 finishes.