How to choose a ceiling fan

A ceiling fan that is too small for the room moves almost no air, and one hung too low is a hazard. Size and height come first; style is the fun part after.

Blade size by room

• Up to 75 sq ft (bathrooms, walk-in closets): 29" to 36"
• 76 to 144 sq ft (bedrooms, offices): 36" to 44"
• 144 to 225 sq ft (primary bedrooms, family rooms): 44" to 54"
• 225 to 400 sq ft (great rooms): 54" to 72", or two fans

The ceiling fan size calculator does it for your room.

How high to hang it

Blades should be at least 7 feet above the floor, ideally 8 to 9 feet. On an 8-foot ceiling use a flush-mount (hugger) fan. On higher ceilings add a downrod so the fan hangs in the 8 to 9 foot zone where it actually moves air.

CFM and efficiency

CFM (cubic feet per minute) is how much air the fan moves on high. Compare fans of the same size by CFM, and look at CFM per watt for efficiency. DC motors are quieter, more efficient and usually have more speeds.

Indoors, covered porch or open deck

Use a damp-rated fan for bathrooms and covered porches, and a wet-rated fan anywhere rain can hit it. Indoor fans rust and warp outdoors.

The box matters

A fan must hang from a fan-rated electrical box fixed to the framing. Swapping a light fixture for a fan often means changing the box. In New Hampshire our Keene crew does quick fan installs on fans you buy from us and will tell you before starting if the box needs upgrading.

Light kit and controls

Many fans come with an LED light kit; check the lumens if the fan is the room's main light (see the lumens calculator). Remote or wall controls make a big difference on high ceilings.

Common questions

What size ceiling fan for a 12 by 12 bedroom?

A 144 sq ft room takes a 42" to 44" fan.

How low can a ceiling fan hang?

Blades must be at least 7 feet above the floor; 8 to 9 feet is ideal.

Can I replace a light fixture with a ceiling fan?

Yes, if the ceiling box is fan-rated and anchored to framing. Many light boxes are not and need replacing first.