How to Choose the Right 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 range of sizes or widths. Single-row LED light strips typically have widths ranging from 3 millimeters to 15 millimeters. In contrast, multi-row LED light strips can reach widths of up to 120 millimeters. Using the appropriate width of an LED light strip is crucial for ensuring proper heat dissipation, flexible installation, and other factors. Additionally, the size of the LED chips or SMDs is another key factor influencing the width of LED light strips.

Understanding how each LED light strip width affects installation and performance is key to making the right choice. Let’s dive deeper into the details!

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 strip lights for various projects, the width of the strip is an important consideration. Wider strips can typically accommodate more LEDs, providing brighter lighting and better heat dissipation, while narrower strips may be more suitable for installations with limited space or specific design requirements.

It is worth noting that LED strip light widths vary. For example, single-row LED strip lights have only one row of LED chips along their entire length, with widths typically ranging from 1 mm to 15 mm. Multi-row LED strip lights, on the other hand, have multiple rows of LED chips across the entire PCB. This makes them wider than single-row LED strip lights, with widths reaching up to 120 mm. These LED light strips can be dual-row, triple-row, quad-row, five-row, or more.

Of course, all widths and LED row counts are customizable, depending on the manufacturer and your intended application.

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.

1. Brightness and Illuminance: The width of an LED light strip affects its brightness and overall illuminance. Wider strips typically accommodate more LEDs, resulting in higher light output, but they also consume more energy. If you require bright lighting, wider strips may be more suitable. Conversely, narrower strips can produce softer or more focused light.

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.

6. LED Aluminum Channel Compatibility: When adding aluminum channels or silicone diffusers to LED light strips, the width of the light strip is a critical consideration. Adding LED strip channels can provide soft, uniform light output, but if the strip width is not ideal, installation issues may arise. In such cases, you must consider the compatibility between the channel’s inner diameter and the LED strip width. For example, a 10mm LED strip cannot be installed into a 5mm aluminum channel or silicone diffuser. For more information about LED aluminum profiles, please read “Aluminum Profile for LED Strip Lighting.”

What are the standard widths for LED strip lights?

The most common standard widths for LED strip lights are 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm. These are also the three most widely used widths. The width of LED strip lights varies by brand and also depends on the type of LED strip light and the size of the LED chips.

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.

15mm and wider LED strip lights: 15mm and wider LED strip lights have higher LED density and brightness. They are suitable for commercial lighting and large-scale installations. These strips provide uniform lighting with minimal shadows, making them ideal for architectural and signage projects. Wider strips can accommodate more LEDs and aid in better heat dissipation, which is crucial for preventing overheating during prolonged use. Therefore, they are sufficient for professional settings where consistency in performance and reliability are critical.

Ultra-narrow LED strip lights: LED strip lights with widths of 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm are typically referred to as ultra-narrow LED strip lights, making them perfect for ultra-thin and discreet lighting needs. Their compact size allows for easy installation in narrow spaces, such as cabinet edges, display cases, and architectural structures. These strip lights are ideal for minimalist designs, where the light source is hidden while still providing clean and elegant illumination.

Many people have a common question: Are all LED strip lights the same width? The answer is no. To accommodate different application requirements, not all LED strip lights have the same PCB width. In narrow installation spaces, such as inside cabinets, wider LED strip lights are difficult to conceal due to limited space. If you want to add LED lighting in narrow gaps, you can use narrower LED strip lights. As such, the design of LED strip light widths often caters to users’ diverse needs.

So, is the width of LED strip lights important? In fact, for spacious installation areas, the width of LED strip lights is not critical. Instead, the density and brightness of the LED strip lights are more important, as spacious areas typically require higher brightness to illuminate details. Only in spaces with width restrictions is the width of LED light strips critical.

In summary, each LED light strip width offers unique advantages for different applications, ensuring your lighting project combines functionality and aesthetics. Below are some LED light strip widths for your reference.

Items	2835 LED Strip Width	5050 LED Strip Width	COB LED Strip Width
Single Row	5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm	10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 15mm	3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm
Double Row	15mm, 20mm	15mm	12mm
Triple Row	16mm, 22mm, 32mm	32mm, 58mm	12mm, 20mm
Quad Row	28mm, 30mm	N/A	15mm, 20mm
Five Rows	64mm	58mm	30mm
Eight Rows	N/A	120mm	N/A

Does the height of LED strip lights affect installation?

When selecting LED strip lights for different applications, in addition to width, height is also critical. Thicker strip lights may not fit into compact designs or narrow spaces, thereby limiting their use in recessed or surface-mounted installations. Ultra-thin LED strip lights are an ideal choice for sleek, understated designs, as they can be easily installed in narrow or shallow spaces, making installation more convenient.

IP20 (non-waterproof): Height approximately 1.5 millimeters. These LED light strips are extremely thin due to their lack of waterproofing. They are well-suited for installation in dry indoor locations, such as under cabinets or as accent lighting.

IP65 (silicone-coated): Height 2-3 millimeters. These light strips are covered with a layer of silicone, providing some water resistance. Therefore, they are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, or any areas that may be slightly damp.

IP68 (silicone tube potting): Height: 5-8 millimeters. IP68 LED light strips are fully encapsulated with durable silicone or epoxy resin. IP68 LED light strips are ideal for outdoor and underwater applications, including fountains and landscape lighting.

For more information on waterproof LED strip lights, please read “LED Strip Lights Waterproof IP Rating Guide.” and “6 Steps to Choose Outdoor Waterproof LED Strip Lights.”

How to choose the right LED strip light width for your project?

Choosing the right LED strip light width ensures your lighting project is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, when selecting an LED strip light width, consider space constraints, required brightness, and intended use. Narrow strips are ideal for tight spaces, while wider strips offer higher brightness and are perfect for larger areas. So, carefully consider the following recommendations:

1. Understand your project requirements: Before selecting an LED strip light width, assess the specific needs of your project. Determine the installation location of the LED strip lights. Do you need a 5mm ultra-narrow LED strip light for narrow gaps or a brighter 20mm LED strip light for larger areas?

2. Space constraints: Space availability plays a crucial role in determining the appropriate width. For compact spaces, such as inside cabinets or beneath shelves, opt for narrower widths like 8mm or 10mm. These slim profiles blend seamlessly into tight spaces without appearing bulky.

3. Required brightness level: The brightness level required for the project also influences your decision. Wider strips, like 15 mm and 20 mm, can accommodate more LEDs per unit length, providing higher brightness. They are ideal for areas requiring high illumination, such as kitchens or workplaces.

4. Specific application requirements: Consider the specific use of the LED light strip. For example, if you plan to provide ambient lighting for a residential environment, a 10-millimeter light strip may be sufficient. However, for commercial applications requiring stable lighting, wider light strips may be more appropriate.

5. Installation considerations: Installation requirements should not be overlooked (e.g., power supply and installation options). Some wider light strips, due to higher energy consumption, may require additional hardware or power considerations.

In summary, selecting the appropriate LED light strip width requires balancing physical space, required light output, and actual installation factors. By evaluating these aspects, you can ensure your choice aligns with the project’s functional and aesthetic objectives.

Do wider LED strip lights consume more electricity?

Wider LED strip lights do not necessarily consume more electricity. This depends on the LED density, chip size, quality, and power supply. The main reasons are as follows:

• LED chip type: The type and quality of the LED chips used in the strip lights have a significant impact on energy consumption. Under the same brightness, more efficient and advanced LED chips consume less energy.

• LED density: The number of LEDs per unit length affects energy consumption. Higher LED density typically means more LEDs, resulting in higher energy consumption.

• Rated power: The rated power of an LED light strip is measured in watts per meter (W/m), indicating the amount of electricity consumed per meter of LED light strip. Higher rated power typically indicates higher energy consumption.

• Operating voltage: The operating voltage of LED strips also affects energy consumption. LED strips typically offer different voltage options, such as 12VDC or 24VDC. Higher-voltage strips often require lower current, potentially making them more energy-efficient.

Specifically, larger LED chips consume more power. For example, a 10mm SMD5050 LED strip consumes more power than an SMD2835 LED strip of the same width. Similarly, if two SMD2835 LED strips have the same density but one is 5mm wide and the other is 10mm wide, this does not necessarily mean the wider one consumes more power. In this case, the width of the LED strip has no direct relationship with power consumption.

For more information on SMD2835 vs SMD5050 LED strip, please read “SMD3528 vs SMD2835 vs SMD5050: Which LED Strip Light is the Best for Commercial and Architectural Lighting?.”

However, as I mentioned earlier, LED strips with larger chips do consume more power than those with smaller chips. But the difference is minimal. For example, for 2835 and 5050 LED strips with a density of 60 LEDs per meter, the power consumption is as follows:

LED Chip	Power Per Chip	Power Per Meter (60LEDs/m LED Strip)
SMD2835	0.2W	12W
SMD5050	0.24W	14.4W

As shown in the comparison table above, the average power difference per meter of LED strip light is just over 2 watts. While this does affect power consumption, it does not have a significant impact on long-term cost calculations.

Additionally, the higher the density of the LED strip, the more LED chips require power, resulting in higher power consumption. In other words, a 10mm-wide LED strip with 60 LEDs per meter consumes more power than a 10mm-wide LED strip with 30 LEDs per meter.

Therefore, while wider LED strip lights may have more LEDs and potentially higher energy consumption, this is not always the case. You need to consider the key factors mentioned above. Therefore, please be sure to check the product specifications and select LED strip lights that meet your required brightness and energy efficiency standards.

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate LED strip width is critical to the success of your project. When making your selection, carefully consider space, brightness, and application requirements. Each width offers distinct functionalities, ranging from soft accent lighting to intense illumination for large areas. In every project, aesthetic or functional requirements depend on the proper selection of LED strip width: from compact 8mm to wider widths, there is always a solution to meet all your needs.

Regardless of the width of LED strip lights you need for your lighting project, SignliteLED is your ultimate solution. We offer a wide variety of SMD LED Strip Lights and COB LED Strip Lights to meet your needs. Additionally, we provide customization, OEM, and ODM services. Contact us today to obtain the LED strip light width you require!