Select the optimal beam angle optic for any fixture, mounting height, and target area. Calculates beam coverage diameter, centre and edge illuminance, number of fixtures for complete coverage, and recommends the best optic type for your application.
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Beam optics at a glance
Same fixture, same mounting height — only the optic changes. Narrow beams concentrate light into a tight pool; wider beams spread it thin over a larger area.
Manufacturer terminology
The same beam gets a different label from every brand. Here’s how the common codes line up.
| Generic name | Manufacturer codes | Beam angle | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow spot | VNSP, NSP | 8–15° | Artwork, columns, signage |
| Spot | SP | 15–24° | Retail display, focal accents |
| Flood | NFL, MFL, FL | 25–40° | General accent, dining, pendants |
| Wide flood | WFL | 45–60° | Ambient fill, wall lighting |
| Very wide flood | VWFL | 70–90°+ | Low ceilings, even coverage |
| Wall wash | asym, eyelid | — | Vertical surfaces, galleries |
Spacing & coverage
Even wash / overlap: space fixtures ≈ 1 to 1.5 × mounting height
For crisp accents, space fixtures about one beam-diameter apart so pools don’t overlap. For uniform ambient or wall lighting, bring them closer (a spacing-to-height ratio near 1) so the beams blend.
Best use cases
Spot · 8–24°
- Artwork & sculpture
- Columns & architectural features
- Trees & landscape uplighting
- Signage & merchandise
Flood · 25–45°
- General accent lighting
- Retail & display
- Dining & pendants
- Hospitality
Wide flood · 50–90°
- Ambient room fill
- Low ceilings
- Broad even coverage
- Washing large surfaces
Wall wash · asymmetric
- Feature & gallery walls
- Vertical grazing
- Even wall illumination
- Glare-controlled accents