Choosing Warehouse Lighting in 3 Decisions
A successful warehouse lighting project comes down to three key decisions. By selecting the right fixture type, wattage, and rebate classification in the correct order, you can maximize lighting performance while minimizing installation and operating costs.
Decision 1 — UFO or Linear High Bay?
UFO High Bay Lights produce a wide 120° circular light distribution, making them ideal for open warehouse floors, bulk storage areas, manufacturing spaces, and gymnasium-style layouts where uniform coverage is required.
Linear High Bay Lights produce a 90° rectangular light pattern that follows the shape of aisles and racking systems. They are the preferred choice for picking aisles, distribution centers, and high-density storage environments where lighting should follow a long axis.
Decision 2 — What Wattage Matches Your Ceiling Height?
Mounting height has a greater impact on fixture selection than any other variable. Excessive wattage at lower heights creates glare and wasted energy, while insufficient wattage at higher mounting heights results in dark spots and poor visibility.
Use the mounting height guide below to determine the appropriate fixture output for your facility.
Decision 3 — DLC Standard or DLC Premium?
Both DLC Standard and DLC Premium fixtures qualify for many utility rebate programs. However, DLC Premium products often qualify for significantly larger rebates and offer higher efficacy requirements.
Because GGJIA offers DLC Standard and DLC Premium options at the same price within many fixture families, DLC Premium is typically the recommended choice whenever available.
Warehouse High Bay Wattage Guide by Mounting Height
| Mounting Height |
Recommended Fixture |
Wattage |
Lumens |
Approximate Coverage |
| 14–18 ft |
100W UFO or Linear High Bay |
100W |
14,000 lm |
1,400 sq ft @ 10 fc |
| 18–22 ft |
150W UFO or Linear High Bay |
150W |
21,000 lm |
2,100 sq ft @ 10 fc |
| 22–26 ft |
200W UFO High Bay |
200W |
28,000 lm |
2,800 sq ft @ 10 fc |
| 26–30 ft |
240W UFO or 300W Linear High Bay |
240W–300W |
36,000–45,000 lm |
3,600–4,500 sq ft @ 10 fc |
| 30–40 ft |
300W–400W UFO High Bay |
300W–400W |
45,000–60,000 lm |
4,500–6,000 sq ft @ 10 fc |
Coverage estimates assume a coefficient of utilization (CU) of 0.5 and a light loss factor (LLF) of 0.85. Actual results depend on fixture spacing, ceiling reflectance, obstructions, and target illumination levels.
For project-grade accuracy, use our Lighting Calculator or request a free photometric layout for projects requiring 10 or more fixtures.
Warehouse Lighting by Zone
Most warehouses contain multiple work zones with different lighting requirements. Matching fixture type and footcandle levels to the actual task improves safety, productivity, and energy efficiency.
Bulk Storage Areas
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Target Illumination: 10 footcandles
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Recommended Fixtures: UFO or Linear High Bay
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Recommended Controls: PIR motion sensor dimming
These areas typically involve forklift traffic and limited manual product handling. Motion sensors can reduce energy consumption by dimming fixtures when the zone is unoccupied.
Picking Aisles
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Target Illumination: 20–30 footcandles
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Recommended Fixtures: Linear High Bay or UFO High Bay
Workers frequently read labels, verify SKUs, and count inventory. Linear high bays provide a rectangular distribution pattern that aligns naturally with aisle layouts.
Packing & Shipping Areas
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Target Illumination: 50 footcandles
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Recommended Fixtures: High Bay Lights with tighter spacing or LED Flat Panels for ceilings below 14 ft
Higher light levels support barcode scanning, labeling, quality control, and detailed packaging tasks.
Loading Docks
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Target Illumination: 30 footcandles on dock surface, 50 footcandles inside trailers
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Recommended Fixtures: UFO High Bays plus dock arm lights
Overhead lighting alone cannot adequately illuminate trailer interiors. A dedicated dock light at each loading door is recommended for safe loading and unloading operations.
Shop LED Loading Dock Lights →
Cold Storage & Freezer Facilities
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Target Illumination: 30 footcandles
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Recommended Fixtures: Vapor Tight LED Fixtures
Low-temperature-rated vapor tight fixtures maintain performance in freezing conditions while resisting condensation and moisture intrusion.
Shop Vapor Tight Fixtures →
Exterior Perimeter & Building Security
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Target Illumination: 5–10 footcandles
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Recommended Fixtures: LED Wall Pack Lights
Photocells and motion sensors help reduce operating costs while maintaining security around loading zones and building perimeters.
Shop LED Wall Pack Lights →
Office, Break Rooms & Restrooms
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Target Illumination: 20–30 footcandles
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Recommended Fixtures: 2×2 and 2×4 LED Flat Panel Lights
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Recommended CCT: 3500K–4000K
These lower-ceiling spaces benefit from lower glare levels and more comfortable color temperatures than warehouse environments.
Shop LED Flat Panel Lights →
Why Choose GGJIA for Warehouse Lighting Projects?
Manufacturer-Direct Pricing
Purchase directly from the manufacturer and eliminate distributor markups while receiving the same UL-listed, DLC-certified fixtures backed by a 5-year warranty.
Free Photometric Lighting Layouts
For projects requiring 10 or more fixtures, our lighting team provides DIALux or AGi32 simulations showing fixture placement, predicted footcandle levels, and lighting uniformity. Typical turnaround time is two business days.
DLC Rebate Documentation
Every qualifying fixture includes DLC Product IDs to simplify utility rebate applications. Our support team can help identify available rebate programs in your area.
Fast U.S. Fulfillment
Most orders ship within one business day, with delivery typically arriving within 2–7 business days throughout the continental United States.
Project & Volume Pricing
Bulk discounts begin at 10 fixtures, with custom project pricing available for larger warehouse installations. Contact sales@ggjia-led.com for a quotation.
Selecting the best ware house lighting is crucial for ensuring workplace efficiency and safety. Here are some key factors to consider:
Brightness: Choose fixtures with high lumen output to ensure that the light covers the entire work area. Understanding the dimensions of your workspace is essential, including the warehouse's length, ceiling height, and aisle width. Typically, we recommend at least 50 lumens per square meter to achieve adequate brightness.
Color Temperature: This is critical because it directly impacts visibility within the building. Warehouses typically use LED lights with a color temperature between 4000K and 5000K. This range, which falls between bright white and blue tones, has been proven to reduce eye strain and maintain an efficient working environment.
Lifespan: Opt for lighting fixtures that have a long lifespan and low maintenance costs. Our fixtures, with a lifespan exceeding 50,000 hours, can reduce the frequency of replacements, thereby lowering long-term costs.
Mounting Height and Fixture Type: Select the appropriate fixtures based on the ceiling height. For high ceilings, you might consider high-lumen output UFO high bay lights or LED linear high bay lights. For lower ceilings, LED vapor-tight lights could be a good option.
IP Rating: Some buildings may have dust, moisture, or other factors to consider. Therefore, choosing fixtures with a high IP rating (such as IP65 or above) ensures reliable operation in harsh environments.
Safety and Compliance: Ensure that the selected lighting fixtures comply with local safety and lighting standards and have relevant certifications, such as UL, CE, etc.
Different Types of LED Warehouse Lights
When selecting warehouse lighting, it’s important to understand the different types of fixtures and their characteristics. Here are some common types of led lighting for warehouses:
High Bay LED Lights
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UFO High Bay Lights: These lights are used to illuminate spaces with ceilings higher than 10 feet from the floor. They provide a wide beam angle, making them ideal for lighting large areas with minimal fixtures.
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LED Linear High Bay Lights: These fixtures have a rectangular shape with a more focused beam. They can be suspended or surface-mounted, offering flexibility in installation.
LED Wall Pack Lights
Mounted on the exterior walls of buildings, wall pack lights come in semi-cutoff and full-cutoff options. They provide perimeter lights for warehouses, with the ability to automatically switch on and off according to day and night.
Outdoor Flood Lights
LED flood lights offer up to 120 lumens per watt, making them 20% brighter than other lights. They perform well under various weather conditions, including rain, snow, extreme heat, and cold.
LED Vapor Tight Lights
LED vapor tight lights are designed for harsh environments where moisture or dust is present. They are sealed to prevent the entry of contaminants, making them ideal for storage areas.
LED Work Lights
We offer several types of work lights, including stand-alone, portable, and string lights. These can be used for building renovations, maintenance tasks, and temporary lighting needs. Durable and energy-efficient, these lights provide bright, focused illumination, enhancing productivity and safety.
LED Parking Lot Lights
LED parking lot lights are used to illuminate large outdoor parking areas. They provide even lighting, improving visibility and safety for drivers and pedestrians. Energy-efficient and equipped with photocells, these lights have a long lifespan, making them ideal for parking lots.
LED Canopy Lights
LED canopy lights are typically used in covered outdoor areas, such as gas stations and parking garages. They provide bright, even lighting and are designed to withstand outdoor conditions.
Q: What does 5000 K mean in lighting?
A: As seen on the graph, 5000 kelvin is a nice white but has a slight tint of yellow. People who choose this color are usually trying to get a more natural white light that appears less harsh to the eye.
Q: What is 5700 Kelvin color lights for warehouse?
A:5700K lights produce a whiter light, which are perfect for if your drive is mainly going to be in wide open spaces or on long roads and areas were light reflection isn’t going to be an issue, as the whiter colour helps with more defined distance penetration, and can also pick out more details around the edges of the beam in open areas.
Q: What standards and regulations are there for LED lighting in warehouses?
- Industry Standards and Regulations (Mandatory Compliance)
- Safety and Compliance Supplements
Q: How Do You Calculate Lumens?
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