A Guide to Lampshade Fittings

Spider Lampshade Fitter

Best for: a table or floor lamp with a harp, vintage, and antique lamps

A spider fitter is made up of three metal prongs, sometimes called arms, that come together in a circle, or washer, in the middle to attach to a harp on a lamp base. A harp is an upside-down u-shaped metal piece that is connected to the base and sits around and above the lightbulb. A lampshade that features a spider fitter is secured onto a harp using a finial that needs to be twisted until tight to keep the lampshade in place so it sits straight and doesn't wobble.

Make sure the metal that the spider fitter is made from matches the finial for a consistent look. You'll generally see gold, silver, black, or white spider fitter and finial—matching the two will create an intentional and streamlined look. This type of fitter is the most common of all those available on the market, so chances are the majority of lampshades you consider will feature this fitting.

The majority of older and antique lamps have more detailed and elaborate hardware, including a harp, so if you are picking out a shade for a traditional style lamp—it will likely require one with a spider fitter.

Uno Lampshade Fitter

Best for: a table or floor lamp without a harp

Unlike a spider fitter that sits on top of a lightbulb, an uno fitter sits underneath it. It is a frequently used lampshade fitter that is placed directly on the socket before a lightbulb is screwed in, so essentially it is the lightbulb that keeps it in place. This type of fitter has a wide central ring that's large enough to sit on top of the socket and three arms that connect to the sides of the lampshade.

One of the main benefits of a lampshade with this particular fitter is its versatility because it doesn't require a base with a harp. You do however need to measure the size of the inner ring on this fitter and make sure that it will fit on top of the socket on your lamp base, as not all will be the exact same size. An uno fitter that is larger in size is sometimes referred to as a Euro fitter, so take note of that when shopping for your new lampshade.

Clip-On Lampshade Fitter

Best for: small shades for a wall sconce or chandelier

A clip-on lampshade has a fitter that does exactly what its name suggests—it clips directly onto the lightbulb. It has teardrop-shaped metal prongs that clasp around the bulb that hold the shade in place. The least common of the three-shade fitters— the clip-on is most often seen on small lampshades that are designed to fit on a wall sconce or chandelier.

These mini shades come in various styles—from traditional bell-shaped ones that work well with a traditional light fixture above a dining table to more modern shades perfect for a contemporary wall sconce in a hallway or bedroom. The clip-on design makes them an easy and inexpensive way to update a light fixture that's installed into the wall or ceiling, as you won't need to replace and install the whole things to enjoy a different look thanks to the new shade.

Clip-on fitters are available in two standard sizes that correspond to the size of the lightbulb since they attach directly to it. The smaller is for candelabra lightbulbs that are used on a chandelier that features lampshades and the larger is for regular-sized lightbulbs used in a single or double wall sconce.

Euro Fitter

Best for: table or floor lamp without a harp

A Euro fitter is perhaps more of a sub-category than its own lampshade fitter category, as it is very similar to an uno fitter. Just like an uno fitter, it is used for table and floor lamps that don't have a harp. The key difference, however, is that it is wider than a classic uno fitter and the ring that makes up its construction is thinner. It sits directly on the socket, so when assembling the lamp, the shade needs to be placed on the socket first, followed by a nut, then tightened with a lightbulb.

If you have a lamp that requires a shade with a Euro fitter, but yours has a different style of fitter, such as the smaller uno fitter, there are inexpensive adapters that can be purchased and used to accommodate the lampshade.