LED High Bay Lights

What Are LED High Bay Lights?

Commercial LED high bay fixtures are designed for large indoor spaces with ceilings typically 20 feet or higher. They provide high lumen output with engineered optics for bright, even illumination in warehouses, factories, gyms, aircraft hangars, distribution centers, and other high-ceiling facilities.

Choosing Fixtures for Commercial and Industrial Spaces

Upgrading from metal halide or fluorescent systems requires the right combination of ceiling height, lumen output, beam pattern, voltage, mounting method, and fixture style. Drawing from 15+ years of experience in commercial and industrial lighting, LED Lighting Supply’s Product Specialists help customers select suitable products for large indoor facilities. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that LED technology can significantly reduce energy use compared with traditional lighting in many commercial and industrial applications. Actual savings depend on the existing system, operating hours, controls, fixture efficiency, and project conditions.

This customer selected our 300 Watt UFO Warehouse Light | 45,000 Lumens to achieve the required foot-candle levels with balanced distribution across the facility floor.

Need help choosing? Read our Buyers Guide to LED High Bays for foot-candle targets, lumen planning, optics, and fixture selection.

Use the selector above to narrow products by fixture style, wattage, lumen output, voltage, color temperature, controls, and mounting options. Before ordering, confirm ceiling height, target foot-candle levels, fixture spacing, voltage, and any environmental or emergency-lighting requirements.

Selection and Installation Note: Product specifications, ratings, controls, certifications, and warranty coverage vary by model. Confirm the selected product specification before ordering. For code-sensitive, electrical, emergency, hazardous-location, or safety-critical applications, verify requirements with your local inspector or a licensed electrical professional.

Choosing by Fixture Type and Existing Lighting

Most projects begin with two practical questions: which fixture style fits the layout, and what type of existing light is being replaced. UFO and linear models can both meet commercial and industrial foot-candle targets, but they distribute light differently and suit different spaces.

Upgrading from HID or fluorescent lighting can improve efficiency, light quality, startup time, and maintenance cycles. Results vary by operating hours, existing equipment, control strategy, and facility conditions.

Recommended Foot-Candle Levels by Application

Use the tool below to find general starting foot-candle ranges by application. Light-level targets should reflect the work task, facility standards, OSHA requirements where applicable, and lighting guidance such as ANSI/IES RP-7 for industrial environments. Final fixture selection and placement should be verified with a photometric plan, especially for large facilities, racking layouts, code-sensitive areas, or safety-critical applications.

Step 1: Find Your Foot-Candle Levels

Step 2: Estimate Fixture Count and Spacing

Voltage, Controls, Optics, and Adjustable Output

Lighting for high-ceiling spaces must be matched to the building’s electrical service, control strategy, mounting conditions, and potential layout changes. Adjustable products can provide additional flexibility after installation without requiring immediate fixture replacement.

Gymnasiums and sports facilities need even distribution for athletic activities. Our wattage-adjustable LED gymnasium light options include high-impact IK08-rated models for ball-strike protection.

Aircraft hangars require strong, even illumination for detailed maintenance and inspection work. Our LED aircraft hangar lights are designed for these demanding spaces. OSHA standards include minimum illumination requirements for certain work areas and egress conditions. Emergency lighting may also involve NFPA 101, local life-safety codes, occupancy requirements, emergency circuits, and inspection requirements, so confirm the final design with a licensed professional when required.

Certifications, Rebates, and Warranty Support

Products from LED Lighting Supply carry a safety listing such as UL, ETL, or CSA, depending on the model. Many fixtures are DLC or DLC Premium listed for utility rebate support where available. Rebate requirements vary by utility, region, and product listing, so confirm eligibility on the selected product specification before ordering.

Most models include a 5-year warranty unless otherwise specified, with USA-based warranty support. Before purchase, review the selected product specification to confirm certifications, DLC status, voltage, dimming, controls, mounting method, emergency backup options, environmental ratings, and suitability for the space.

Project Case Studies

Real project examples show how these fixtures perform in warehouses, gyms, arenas, hangars, and other large indoor spaces. Review the installations below to see fixture choices, replacement scenarios, and application-specific results.

Case Study: Conversion of (72) T5 6 tube fixtures to LED Lighting Supply 200 Watt LED UFO Fixtures (one-for-one replacement) in Williston, ND

Before: T5 54W HO Fluorescent Fixtures	After: 200 W LED UFO Fixtures

Lighting Plan We Created for the Customer

Lighting Plan	Heat Map

LED High Bays Warehouse Installation Lighting Plan Metrics

• Mounting height: 20 ft
• Fixture Used: MLLG-LED-HBC-200-5-120: 100 / 120 / 150 / 200 Watt Adjustable LED UFO High Bay | 15000 to 30000 Lumens | 5000K | 100-277V | White Housing
• FC achieved: 60.33 FC average
• Uniformity (Avg/Min): 1.42

Case Study: Replacement of 1500 Watt Metal Halide Lighting with 480 Watt LED UFO High Bays in Lagos, Nigeria

After: 480 Watt LED UFO High Bay Light | 76800 Lumens

Lighting Plan We Created for the Customer

Lighting Plan	Heat Map

Aircraft Hangar Lighting Installation Plan Metrics

• Mounting height: 35 ft ft
• Fixtures Used: MLLG-LED-HB5-480-5-60: 480 Watt LED UFO High Bay | 76800 Lumens | 5000K | 100-277V
• FC achieved: 167 FC average
• Uniformity (Avg/Min): 1.51

Case Study: Conversion of 400 Watt metal halide lighting to LED Lighting Supply 160 Watt LED UFO High Bay at Tri-City College Prep in Prescott, AZ

Before: 400 Watt Metal Halide High Bays	After: 160 Watt LED UFO High Bay | 26400 Lumens

Lighting Plan We Created for the Customer

Lighting Plan

Gymnasium Lighting Installation Plan Metrics

• Mounting height: 24 ft
• Fixture Used: LLS-HB-200A-CC-[C]: 120 / 160 / 200 Watt Adjustable UFO High Bay | 19800 to 33000 Lumens | 4000K / 5000K | 100-277V | White or Black Housing
• FC achieved: 52 FC
• Uniformity (Avg/Min): 2.25

Case Study: Creekside Stables Outdoor Covered Arena using LED Lighting Supply 200 Watt LED UFO High Bay Lights in Franklin, TN

After: 200 Watt LED UFO High Bay | 30000 Lumens	After: 200 Watt LED UFO High Bay | 30000 Lumens

Lighting Plan We Created for the Customer

Lighting Plan	Heat Map

Covered Riding Arena Lighting Installation Plan Metrics

• Mounting height: 40 ft
• Fixture Used: (12) MLLG-LED-HB4-200-[Color]-[Beam]: 200 Watt White LED UFO High Bay | 25000 lumens | Replaces 400 Watt Metal Halide
• FC achieved: 62.94 fc average
• Uniformity (Avg/Min): 1.63

Request a free custom lighting plan and let our Product Specialists help match the optics, output, spacing, and configuration to your application.

Common Selection Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Projects can run into problems when fixtures are selected without confirming ceiling height, lumen output, optics, controls, emergency requirements, or environmental conditions. Based on years of commercial and industrial lighting experience, these are some of the issues that most frequently affect performance, project cost, and long-term reliability.

This Content on high bay lighting guidance, ufo and linear installation considerations, and fixture selection content Was Professionally Reviewed By:

Jamie Popp, Professional Electrical Engineer (PE)
Multi-State Licensed Professional Engineer
Master of Science in Engineering
Master of Science in Project Management

Jamie has spent over 15 years working directly with industrial energy systems and facility operations. In his engineering design work, he focuses on comprehensive lighting designs, complex power distribution engineering, technical hazardous area classifications, and design-level construction support.

He applies these specialized design skills across demanding environments, including petrochemical, nuclear, mining, pulp and paper, and manufacturing facilities.

This content was reviewed for technical accuracy, engineering relevance, real-world application, and clarity for the stated lighting topic.

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LED High Bay Lights Frequently Asked Questions

What Are LED High Bay Lights?

LED high bay lights are designed for large indoor spaces with ceilings typically 20 feet or higher. They provide high lumen output with engineered optics for bright, even illumination in environments such as warehouses, factories, gyms, aircraft hangars, and distribution centers. They are one of the most common fixture types for large commercial and industrial indoor spaces.

When Should I Use LED High Bay Lights?

Use LED high bay lights when the ceiling height, fixture spacing, and target foot-candle levels require a high-output overhead fixture. They are commonly used in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, gymnasiums, hangars, and large open work areas. LED high bays are also a common replacement for metal halide, HID, fluorescent, or older linear high bay systems when the layout and mounting conditions are a good fit.

When Should I Avoid Using LED High Bay Lights?

Low bay, strip, wraparound, troffer, or architectural fixtures may be a better fit when the ceiling is lower, the space is small, or the application needs lower glare and softer light distribution. High bays may also be the wrong choice for outdoor sports fields, parking lots, hazardous locations, high-temperature areas, washdown spaces, or food processing areas unless the selected model carries the required rating for that environment.

How Do I Choose Between UFO and Linear High Bay Lights?

Choose UFO high bays for open areas, strong downward delivery, and many metal halide replacement projects. Choose linear high bays for aisles, racks, production rows, and fluorescent-style replacement projects where a longer light source can improve coverage and reduce striping. Mixed facilities may use both fixture styles, and a photometric plan can help confirm spacing, beam angle, fixture count, and expected light levels.

What Are the Key Considerations for Selecting LED High Bay Lights?

Start with ceiling height, target foot-candles, fixture spacing, lumen output, beam angle, and fixture type. Then confirm voltage, mounting method, dimming or sensor compatibility, ambient temperature range, emergency backup needs, and environmental ratings such as dust, moisture, impact, or washdown protection where applicable. Larger warehouses, racking layouts, gyms, production areas, and safety-sensitive spaces should be reviewed with a photometric plan before ordering.

What Are the Benefits of LED High Bay Lights Over Traditional Lighting?

LED high bay lights can reduce energy use, improve light quality, provide instant-on operation, and reduce maintenance compared with older HID, metal halide, or fluorescent systems. Actual savings and service life depend on the existing fixture, operating hours, controls, mounting height, ambient temperature, and selected LED model. Depending on the fixture, options may include higher lumen packages, selectable wattage, dimming, sensors, DLC qualification, IP ratings, IK impact ratings, and multiple color temperatures.

What Certifications and Warranties Should I Look For?

Look for safety listings such as UL, ETL, or CSA, depending on the fixture and project requirements. DLC or DLC Premium listings may support utility rebate eligibility where available, but rebate rules vary by utility and product. Many LED high bay fixtures include a 5-year warranty unless otherwise specified; confirm the warranty term, voltage, controls, environmental ratings, and certifications on the selected product specification.

How Can Integrated Controls Enhance LED High Bay Lighting?

Controls such as 0-10V dimming, motion sensors, daylight harvesting, and wattage or CCT selection can help tune light levels and reduce energy use. Motion sensors are especially useful in warehouses, storage aisles, and spaces with changing occupancy, but timeout settings should match how the area is used. Emergency battery backup may help support egress or emergency lighting requirements when properly specified; local life-safety code, emergency circuits, testing, and inspection requirements may apply.