What the WPA requires
The WPA tournament specification, as reproduced, sets these lighting rules:
- Brightness: at least 520 lux (48 foot-candles) at every point on the bed and the rails.
- Fixture height: a movable fixture must hang at least 40 in above the bed, and a fixed fixture at least 65 in.
- Glare: light shining directly toward players must stay under 5,000 lux.
- Venue: spectator seating needs at least 50 lux.
European carom rules use the same 520 lux minimum and require fixtures at least 0.80 m from the table.
How high to hang a light at home
Here the sources do not agree:
| Source | Fixture height above the playing surface |
|---|---|
| WPA (tournament, movable fixture) | At least 40 in |
| WPA (tournament, fixed fixture) | At least 65 in |
| Blatt Billiards | 31 to 36 in, measured to the bottom of the fixture |
| Classic Home Billiards | 30 to 36 in |
| Pool Table Portfolio | No universal height; follow the fixture maker's range |
| AzBilliards forum (player reports) | From about 30 in to 48 in |
The gap is plain: the WPA's 40 in minimum for movable fixtures is higher than the 30 to 36 in that retailers suggest for homes. The WPA figure is a tournament rule, while the retailer ranges are aimed at home game rooms, and the sources we read do not explain the difference. The forum figures are individual players' reports, not a standard. If you are setting up a room to tournament standard, the WPA figures are the ones that apply.
Positioning
Classic Home Billiards says to center the fixture over the midpoint of the table. If you then see glare or shadows, adjust the height an inch at a time until they go away.
Coverage and shade count
The WPA's coverage rule is that the 520 lux minimum applies at every point on the bed and the rails, not just the center. For home fixtures, Blatt Billiards suggests 3-shade fixtures for 7 and 8 ft tables and 4-shade fixtures for 9 ft tables.
Brightness
Blatt's brightness guidance, which is its own recommendation rather than a rule:
- About 375 to 475 lumens per square foot in commercial settings.
- At least 800 lumens per LED bulb.
The WPA states its requirement in lux at the table surface rather than in bulb lumens, so the two are not directly comparable without measuring.
Color temperature
Blatt recommends 4000 to 6500 K and says to avoid anything under 3000 K. Pool Table Portfolio describes 2700 to 3000 K as warm and 4000 K or higher as crisp.
Planning the room
Because the fixture is centered over the table's midpoint, its position follows from where the table sits. Settle the table position first using the room size figures, then hang the light.