Yes, you can buy replacement globes for almost any light fixture

Replacement globes are sold at hardware stores, home improvement retailers, online marketplaces, and specialty lighting shops. The globe you need depends on three things: the fixture type (ceiling, wall, table lamp), the socket size, and whether you want the same style or something different. Most globes cost between $5 and $30, though decorative or specialty globes can run higher.

The hardest part is usually identifying what you have. A globe that fits one fixture won't fit another, even if both are ceiling lights. Taking a photo of your fixture and the existing globe — or removing the old globe and bringing it with you — makes finding the right replacement much faster.

Key Takeaways

  • Socket size (E26, E12, E17, or GU10) determines which globe will fit, and you can find it printed on the fixture itself or on the old globe's base.
  • The globe's diameter and shape must match your fixture's opening, so measure the old one or check the fixture's manual before buying.
  • Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, and Amazon stock standard globes in most common sizes; specialty lighting shops carry harder-to-find styles.
  • Frosted, clear, and decorative globes are interchangeable as long as the socket size and diameter match your fixture.
  • If you cannot find the exact globe, a universal replacement in the same size often works, though the look may differ slightly.

How to identify your socket size and globe dimensions

The socket size is printed on the metal base of your old globe or stamped inside the fixture itself. The most common sizes are E26 (standard US household), E12 (candelabra), E17 (intermediate), and GU10 (pin-based, often in recessed or track lights). If you see "E" followed by a number, that is the socket size you need.

The globe's diameter — usually 4 to 6 inches for standard fixtures — is harder to find in writing. Measure across the widest part of your old globe with a ruler or tape measure. Write down both the socket size and the diameter, and take a photo of the fixture opening to show a store employee or use when ordering online.

If the old globe is broken or missing, look for a manual or product label on the fixture itself. Many ceiling fixtures have a sticker inside the canopy (the metal ring that holds it to the ceiling) listing the globe size and wattage limit.

Where to buy standard replacement globes

Home Depot and Lowe's stock replacement globes in the most common sizes — E26 and E12 — in both frosted and clear finishes. You can browse in person or order online for pickup or delivery. Prices for basic globes typically run $8 to $15.

Ace Hardware and local independent hardware stores often have a smaller selection but can special-order globes if they do not have what you need in stock. Staff at these stores often know fixture brands and styles used in your area and can sometimes identify a globe from a photo.

Amazon, Wayfair, and other online retailers carry a wider range of styles — including decorative, vintage, and specialty globes — but shipping times vary. Read the reviews carefully, because globe quality and durability differ widely between brands.

Specialty lighting shops and hard-to-find globes

If your fixture is older, decorative, or uses an uncommon socket size, a local lighting showroom or specialty shop is often the fastest option. These shops stock globes for chandeliers, vintage fixtures, and commercial lighting that big-box stores do not carry.

Bring the old globe or a clear photo and the socket size. A lighting specialist can usually identify the globe type and either have it in stock or order it within a few days. Specialty globes often cost more — $15 to $40 — but the selection is much larger.

If you cannot find a local shop, online specialty retailers like Rejuvenation, Schoolhouse Electric, or manufacturer-specific sites (like Kichler or Progress Lighting) carry globes for their own fixtures and often for competitors' models as well.

What to check before you buy

Verify the socket size one more time before checkout. An E26 globe will not fit an E12 socket, and forcing it can damage the fixture. If you are ordering online, check the product description for the socket size, diameter, and material (glass, plastic, or frosted).

Look at the wattage limit printed on your fixture. Some globes are designed for lower-wattage bulbs (like 40 watts) and can overheat if you use a higher-wattage bulb inside them. The globe itself does not have a wattage limit, but the fixture does — check the canopy or the manual.

If you are replacing a globe in a dimmer-controlled fixture, make sure the new globe works with dimmers. Most standard globes do, but some decorative or specialty globes are not dimmable. The product description will say if dimming is not supported.

Frosted, clear, and decorative globes: what is the difference

Frosted globes diffuse light evenly and hide the bulb filament, creating softer, less harsh lighting. Clear globes let more light through and show the bulb inside, which can look more decorative or industrial depending on the bulb style. Both types fit the same sockets and are interchangeable as long as the diameter matches.

Decorative globes — including colored, textured, or vintage-style options — work the same way but change the look of your fixture. A decorative globe costs more but can transform a plain fixture into a statement piece. Make sure the diameter and socket size still match your fixture before buying.

If you want to change the look without replacing the globe, you can also replace the bulb inside instead. A vintage-style LED bulb in a clear globe, for example, creates a different effect than a standard bulb in the same globe.

What to do if you cannot find an exact match

If the exact globe is no longer made, a universal replacement in the same socket size and diameter usually works. The fit may be slightly loose or tight, and the look might not be identical, but it will function. Test it in the fixture before leaving the store if you are buying in person.

If the diameter is slightly different — say, your fixture needs a 5-inch globe but only 4.5-inch globes are available — the globe may not sit flush in the opening. This is usually cosmetic and does not affect safety, but it may look odd.

If you cannot find anything close, contact the fixture manufacturer directly. Many will sell replacement globes even for older models, and the cost is often lower than buying from a retailer. Search the fixture brand name plus "replacement globe" or look for a customer service number on the fixture itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any globe as long as the socket size matches?

Not quite. The socket size must match, but so must the diameter and shape. A globe that is too large will not fit in the opening; one that is too small will sit loose. Check both the socket size and the diameter before buying.

What if my fixture uses a GU10 socket instead of E26?

GU10 globes have two small pins instead of a threaded base and are common in recessed lights, track lights, and some wall fixtures. They are sold at the same retailers as E26 globes but in a separate section. Make sure you buy GU10, not E26, or the globe will not fit.

Are LED globes compatible with older fixtures?

Most LED globes fit the same sockets as incandescent globes and work in older fixtures. However, some older dimmer switches do not work well with certain LED globes. If you are replacing a globe in a dimmed fixture, check the LED globe's description to confirm it is dimmable.

How much should I expect to spend on a replacement globe?

Standard frosted or clear globes cost $8 to $15 at big-box retailers. Decorative or specialty globes run $15 to $40. Vintage or hard-to-find globes from specialty shops can cost $20 to $50 or more, depending on the style and rarity.

Can I order a replacement globe online if I do not know the exact size?

It is risky. Take a photo of your fixture and the old globe, measure the diameter, and find the socket size before ordering. Most online retailers accept returns, but shipping costs and wait times make this frustrating. Buying in person at a hardware store is faster if you are unsure.