How High to Mount Outdoor Wall Lights (2026): Door, Garage & Porch

Outdoor wall lights get mounted at the wrong height more often than any other fixture. Too low and they glare straight into the eyes of anyone on the steps; too high and they look lost and light the gutter instead of the lock. At Arel Lighting we make outdoor brass sconces by hand in Istanbul for homes across the US, and this guide gives practical heights for front doors, garages, porches, patios and paths. For indoor fixtures, see our separate guide to indoor sconce height.

What is the standard height for outdoor wall lights?

The most common rule is to place the center of the fixture about 66 inches above the ground or porch floor. That puts the light a little above eye level for most adults, so it lights faces and the door without shining into eyes.

A second rule works with the door instead of the floor: the center of the fixture should sit about one third of the way down from the top of the door. On a standard 80-inch door, that lands close to 54 to 66 inches, so the two rules usually agree. When they don't, for example with a tall door or a raised stoop, follow the door. The fixture will look right in proportion to the entrance.

How high should lights be beside a front door?

Location	Typical height	Notes
Beside a front door	Center about 66 in from the floor	Or one third down from the top of the door.
Above a front door	Bottom of fixture 6 to 12 in above the frame	Use when there's no room on either side.
Garage door	6 to 12 in above the door, or at the top third on each side	Keep clear of the door's opening path.
Porch or patio wall	Center about 66 to 72 in	Go higher if there's seating right below.
Pathway and steps	Low wall lights 18 to 36 in, or path lights 14 to 24 in	Aim light down onto the walking surface.

A pair of lights on either side of the door is the classic look. Place each one 4 to 6 inches out from the door trim so it doesn't crowd the casing, and center both at the same height. Our front porch lighting guide covers layout, brightness and style for the whole entrance.

What size outdoor light should you choose?

Height and size go together. From the street, outdoor fixtures look much smaller than they do in the box, so most people buy them too small.

• One light beside the door: about one third the height of the door.
• A pair of lights: about one quarter the height of the door each.
• Garage doors: about one quarter to one third the height of the garage door, measured against the wall area around it.

On an 80-inch door, that means a single fixture around 24 to 27 inches tall, or a pair at about 20 inches each. If you're between two sizes, go larger. Our sconce sizing guide works through more examples.

How do you avoid glare from outdoor wall lights?

Glare is mostly a height and shielding problem. A bare bulb at eye level is the worst case: it dazzles visitors, makes it harder to see the steps, and shines toward the neighbors.

• Keep the bulb above eye level for someone standing on the top step, not just someone standing on the walkway.
• Choose shielded or downward designs where possible. Frosted, ribbed or caged glass softens the bulb.
• Watch brightness. Around 400 to 800 lumens per fixture is plenty beside a front door. Brighter is not safer if it causes glare.
• Use warm light. 2700K or lower looks welcoming and attracts fewer insects than cool white.

Many US towns have dark-sky or light-trespass rules that favor shielded, downward fixtures, so check local codes before you buy.

Where should garage lights go?

For a single garage door, mount one light centered above the door or one on each side. For a double garage, place lights on each side of the door and, if the span is wide, a third between the doors. Keep the fixtures at the same height and clear of the door track and opener. Sturdy nautical bulkhead styles are a popular choice here. The BACENO GRANDE BRASS NAUTICAL WALL SCONCE has a size that holds up visually on a wide garage wall. Our bulkhead vs porthole guide compares those two styles.

How high should patio and pathway lights be?

Patios and decks: wall lights on the back of the house usually sit 66 to 72 inches up. If people will sit right below them, go a little higher so the light falls past their heads, not into their eyes. Add a dimmer so the patio can shift from bright for cooking to soft for evenings.

Paths and steps: safety comes first. Low wall-mounted step lights at 18 to 36 inches, or path lights at 14 to 24 inches, put light on the ground where feet go. Space path lights 6 to 8 feet apart so the pools of light just meet.

Do outdoor wall lights need a wet rating?

Yes. In the US, outdoor fixtures are listed for damp or wet locations. A damp-rated fixture suits a covered porch where rain doesn't hit it directly. A wet-rated fixture is needed anywhere exposed to rain, snow or sprinklers, such as an open wall or garage front. Check the rating stated on each product page and match it to your spot. Our guide to IP and wet ratings explains how the different systems compare.

Materials matter too. Brass handles weather well and develops a natural patina outdoors rather than rusting. In coastal areas, salt air is hard on any metal; see our coastal lighting guide. The BALACIA RECT OUTDOOR BRASS CASTING WALL SCONCE and the LLADE BRASS OUTDOOR WALL SCONCE are two outdoor designs that suit front doors and porches. Have a licensed electrician install any new outdoor wiring, with a weatherproof box and proper sealing.

Frequently asked questions

Should outdoor lights be at the top of the door?

Not usually. If a fixture sits beside the door, its center should be about one third down from the top of the door. Mounting it level with the top tends to light the eaves rather than the entrance.

How high should a light be over a garage door?

Place the bottom of the fixture about 6 to 12 inches above the garage door frame, centered on the door. Leave room for the door to open fully.

Do I measure from the porch floor or the ground?

Measure from the surface people stand on, usually the porch floor or top step. That's where eye level and glare matter.

Should porch lights be the same height as the doorbell?

They don't need to match. Doorbells sit around 48 inches, lower than a light should. Set the light by the door and fixture size, not by the doorbell.

Related reading

• Shop handmade brass outdoor wall lights
• How to light a front porch
• Outdoor brass wall sconces buyer's guide
• Best brass outdoor wall lights

Handmade brass outdoor lights · Crafted in Istanbul · Free US shipping · Arel Lighting