LED Panel Light Sizes & Types: A Buyer’s Guide

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Hyundai SEO

October 28, 2026

On August 10, 2026

A panel light is a flat fitting that spreads light evenly across a ceiling. That’s why you see them in offices, clinics and shops, and more and more in homes. Two panels can look the same on a shelf and perform very differently once they’re up, so it’s worth knowing what to check before you order.

What you’re buying

Inside, the LEDs light a flat diffuser, which gives soft light with fewer shadows than a single bulb. You get warm, natural and cool white versions. Most sit flush in a false ceiling, and some mount on the surface.

Backlit or edge-lit

The difference is where the LEDs sit. In a backlit panel they’re behind the diffuser. In an edge-lit panel they run along the frame and push light across a guide plate. Backlit usually holds its brightness longer. Edge-lit is slimmer and cheaper. We’ve covered this in detail in our backlit vs edge-lit guide.

Sizes

Your ceiling decides the size, so check the ceiling before you look at any datasheet.

Size	Typical wattage	Output	Good for
300×300 mm	12–18 W	1,000–1,800 lm	Cabins, washrooms
600×600 mm (2×2 ft)	36–40 W	3,200–4,000 lm	Offices, clinics, showrooms
300×1200 mm (1×4 ft)	36–40 W	3,200–4,000 lm	Corridors, aisles
600×1200 mm (2×4 ft)	60–72 W	5,500–7,200 lm	Halls, large open floors

600×600 is the common one because it matches a standard T-bar grid. Before a big order, measure the grid itself. A true 600 mm module and a nominal 2×2 ft one differ by a few millimetres, and that’s the difference between flush and rattling. As a rough guide, one 36W to 40W panel covers about 9 to 12 square metres of office.

How it mounts

Recessed panels drop into the grid and need enough gap above the tile. On a concrete ceiling with no gap, you need a surface panel or a surface frame. Suspended panels hang on wire kits, mostly in open-ceiling offices. The frames and kits are sold separately, and they’re the thing people forget. Order them with the panels.

Glare and the driver

Glare is what people complain about after a few hours at a screen. For offices, look for a UGR value below 19 on the datasheet. A micro-prismatic diffuser handles glare better than a plain milky sheet.

When a panel dies, it’s usually the driver, not the LEDs. Ask where the driver sits. An external one can be swapped from above the tile in minutes. One built into the frame means the whole panel comes down. Local voltage swings a lot, so a wide input range, something like 140V to 260V, is worth asking for.

Where they fit

At home, panels suit living rooms, hallways, kitchens and study rooms, and warmer light makes the space feel more relaxed. In an office, they cover desks, meeting rooms and reception evenly, which helps with eye strain. Shops and clinics use them so products and surfaces look clear.

Not sure if you need a panel at all? Read downlight vs panel light, or browse the full panel light range.