Center Beam Candlepower (CBCP) is the peak luminous intensity at the center of a beam, measured in candela. For the same lumens, a narrower beam produces a higher CBCP — more punch on the target.
| Beam type | Angle | Relative CBCP |
|---|---|---|
| Very narrow spot | 8 to 10° | Highest |
| Narrow spot | 10 to 15° | High |
| Spot | 15 to 25° | Medium-high |
| Narrow flood | 25 to 35° | Medium |
| Flood | 35 to 50° | Lower |
| Wide flood | 50 to 60°+ | Lowest |
Why CBCP matters
Two lamps can share the same lumen rating yet look completely different on a wall. The narrow-beam lamp concentrates those lumens into a small cone, raising CBCP and creating a bright, defined pool of light.
For accent and retail display work, CBCP — not lumens — is the number that predicts visual impact.
See the Beam Angle Formula and the Accent Lighting Guide.
Reading a CBCP comparison
Center Beam Candlepower (CBCP) is the peak intensity at a beam’s center, in candela. For the same lumen output, a narrower beam produces higher CBCP because the light is concentrated into a smaller cone — which is why a 15° spot can read several times the candela of a 40° flood with identical lumens. Use CBCP to compare how much punch fixtures deliver on a target, then apply the inverse-square law (lux = candela ÷ distance²) to predict the light at your mounting distance. When comparing products, weigh beam angle and lumens together: high CBCP alone may mean a very tight beam that covers little area.