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What does the PAR specification mean for IKEA light bulbs?

PAR stands for “parabolic aluminized reflector.” These bulbs have a lamp, reflector, and pressed lens inside the lamp to provide directional lighting. The number on a LED PAR bulb refers the diameter of the lamp measured in terms by eighths of an inch. This number can be easily converted to inches by multiplying the PAR number x 1/8 (0.125).

PAR20 bulbs have a diameter of 2.5-inches, which makes these bulbs ideal 3-inch recessed lights.

Other examples include:

  • PAR20 which have a 2 ½” diameter
  • PAR30 which have a 3 ¾” diameter
  • PAR38 which have a 4 ¾“ diameter

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