How to Choose LED Strip Light Width?
LED strip lights come in a variety of widths, lengths, and LED chip types, making them versatile for both residential and commercial lighting applications. When it comes to lighting projects, choosing the right width for LED strip lights can be a real headache. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the task of selecting the appropriate LED strip light size? Let’s take a closer look at the different width options to find the perfect strip light for your lighting needs.
LED light strips come in a wide variety of sizes and widths. Single-row LED light strips typically range in width from 3 mm to 10 mm. In contrast, multi-row LED light strips can reach widths of up to 30 mm. Choosing the appropriate LED light strip width is crucial for ensuring good heat dissipation, flexible installation, and other benefits.
What is the width of an LED strip light?
The width of an LED strip light refers to its physical width, specifically the width of the PCB (printed circuit board). The structure of an LED strip light consists of multiple LEDs arranged in a regular pattern on a flexible circuit board (PCB). Therefore, the width of an LED strip light essentially refers to the width of the PCB, typically measured in millimeters (mm), indicating the dimensions of the strip’s base material.
When selecting and installing LED strips for various projects, the width of the strip is an important consideration. Wider strips can typically accommodate more LEDs, resulting in brighter lighting and better heat dissipation; while narrower strips may be more suitable for installation environments with limited space or specific design requirements.
It's worth noting that LED strip widths vary. For example, a single-row LED strip has only one row of LED chips along its entire length, typically ranging from 1 mm to 15 mm in width. Multi-row LED strips, on the other hand, have multiple rows of LED chips across the entire PCB. This makes them wider than single-row LED strips, reaching widths of up to 120 mm. These LED strips can be double-row, triple-row, five-row, or more.
Of course, all widths and the number of LED rows can be customized, depending on the manufacturer and your intended use.
Why consider the width of LED light strips?
The width of LED light strips is a critical consideration. The appropriate width selection is not merely an aesthetic issue; it also significantly impacts brightness, illuminance, heat dissipation, physical space occupancy, and installation flexibility. Let’s explore the specific reasons.
2. Heat Dissipation: LED light strips generate heat when in operation. Transferring the heat generated by the LEDs to the PCB circuit board and dissipating it into the surrounding environment is crucial for keeping the light strip cool. In this case, wider LED light strips can act as heat sinks, absorbing and dissipating the heat generated by the LEDs. Compared to narrower PCB circuit boards, wider PCB circuit boards are more efficient.
3. Space Design and Aesthetics: LED light strips are commonly used for decorative lighting or accent lighting. The width of the LED light strip affects the visual appearance of the entire space and how well it integrates with the overall design. For example, wider light strips may be more suitable for creating bold, eye-catching effects, while narrower light strips may create a more minimalist or understated appearance.
4. Installation Flexibility: If your installation space is very narrow, installing wider LED light strips may be challenging. Therefore, it is essential to check the width of the LED light strips to ensure they fit your installation space. Additionally, narrower strips are more suitable for corners or edges, as they can be easily bent.
5.Accessory Compatibility: The width of LED light strips is crucial for ensuring compatibility with mounting brackets, LED connectors, and other accessories. These accessories are typically designed to fit specific light strip widths, so choosing the appropriate width ensures good connectivity and easy installation.
What are the standard widths for LED strip lights?
The most common standard widths for LED light strips are 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm, which are also the most widely used widths. For custom widths, please contact us.
8mm LED strip lights: 8mm LED strip lights are ideal for installation in narrow, inconspicuous areas, meeting the emerging demand for accent lighting, under-cabinet lighting, or furniture lighting. Such a narrow width can satisfy the need for subtle lighting without occupying too much space. This width allows for endless creative applications, such as fitting into the interior of cabinets or along staircases where lighting space is limited. The low visibility of the light strip enhances the lighting effect without compromising the overall decor
10mm LED strip lights: 10mm LED strip lights are typically used for general lighting projects. They offer high brightness and are commonly used in architectural lighting, cove lighting, and decorative lighting fixtures for residential and commercial applications. Additionally, whether for accent lighting in homes or functional lighting in retail stores, 10mm strip lights can easily adapt to various usage environments. This versatility extends to color options, with many 10mm LED strips offering RGB and adjustable white light versions, allowing users to customize lighting according to their preferences.
12mm LED strip lights: 12mm LED strip lights are slightly wider and typically offer higher light output. They are commonly used in applications requiring brighter, more powerful lighting solutions, such as outdoor lighting or larger-scale installations. This width enables higher LED density, brightness, and uniform light distribution. 12mm LED light strips are ideal for architectural lighting, primarily because in architectural lighting, the combination of aesthetics and functionality is crucial for highlighting key features and creating points of interest.
Choosing the right LED strip width is crucial for the success of your project. Carefully consider your space, brightness, and application requirements when selecting. Each width offers different functionality, from soft, focused lighting to large-area, high-intensity illumination. In every project, aesthetic or functional requirements depend on the appropriate choice of LED strip width: from compact 8mm to wider widths, there's always a solution to meet your needs.
No matter how wide your LED strip needs for your lighting project, Shenzhen Golden Ocean Lighting is your ultimate solution. We offer a wide variety of SMD and COB LED strips to meet your requirements. Furthermore, we provide customization, OEM, and ODM services. Contact us today to get the LED strip width you need!
