What's the difference between "Daylight" and "Soft White" bulbs?

"Daylight" bulbs offer a crisp, energizing, blue-toned light that's perfect for task lighting in areas like kitchens or offices, while "Soft White" provides a warm, cozy, yellow-toned light ideal for relaxing spaces like living rooms and bedrooms. To learn more about which is right for you, check out our <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/daylight-bulbs-vs-soft-white-bulbs/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901b9389c60?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">Daylight Bulbs vs Soft White Bulbs guide</a> to help you decide.

How do I choose the right bulb color?

Choosing the right bulb color depends on the mood you want to create. We offer options like <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/Black/15-Watt/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z1dq8hZ1z1u6og?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">black</a>, <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/Clear/15-Watt/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z0tlthZ1z1u6og?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">clear</a>, and <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/White/15-Watt/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z1bkiyZ1z1u6og?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">white</a>.

Which lighting technologies are available?

We carry lighting technologies like <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/Halogen/15-Watt/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z0vxiwZ1z1u6og?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">halogen</a>, <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/LED/15-Watt/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z0vxijZ1z1u6og?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">led</a>, and <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/CFL/15-Watt/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z0vxikZ1z1u6og?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">cfl</a>.

I'm looking for a tubular bulb for my fixture, and I see "T8," "T5," and "T12" listed. What do these "T" numbers mean, and how do they differ?

The "T" in these codes indicates a tubular shape, often used for fluorescent or LED tubes, and the number represents the tube diameter in eighths of an inch; thus, a <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/T8/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z0vvri?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">T8 bulb</a> is 1 inch in diameter, while a <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/T5/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z0vvq7?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">T5 bulb</a> is 5/8 of an inch, and a <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lighting-Light-Bulbs/T12/N-5yc1vZbmbuZ1z0vvrc?emt=plpfaq_2504_lightbulbs" style="text-decoration: underline;">T12</a> is 12/8 of an inch (or 1.5 inches), with the smaller diameter often correlating to newer, more energy-efficient models. Choose the correct number that matches the socket in your fixture.