Lamp chimneys are usually made of thin fragile glass and are easily broken. If you still have the parts of your broken chimney, in order to measure for a replacement, you may carefully tape it together with scotch tape. Please be careful not to cut yourself.

If no pieces are available, you can measure the lamp gallery itself to determine the needed base (bottom) fitter diameter for a replacement chimney, as shown in the photos Below. They may not match your lamp exactly, but will give you the information you need.

Terms you need to Understand:

Diameter is the distance straight across the middle, from one side to the opposite side.

Fitter is the bottom of the chimney that sets into the gallery of the lamp.

Fitter Neck Height is the narrow area below the beginning of a slope which creates the bulge of the chimney.   (This is our term, not an industry standard term.)

Glass chimneys for electric lamps are mostly decorative. Some chimneys also serve as lampshade support. A snug fit to the lamp gallery and correct height (for appearance) are the main concerns.

Many electric lamps that require chimneys have a gallery or cup type holder. The diagrams below show a modern electric lamp fixture and shade holder. It was made for a student shade with a center chimney. Some lamps only have the gallery cup for a chimney, without a shade.

How to Choose the Correct Size Chimeny Fitter

Measure the inside diameter of the gallery or cup, from one inside edge, straight across the middle to the opposite inside edge. Chimney fitters are measured to the outside edges, and should be just slightly smaller than the gallery cup, and slide in.

Many galleries, (but not all), are made with flexible tines similar to a picket fence. The chimney should apply pressure to the tines of the gallery or cup, providing a firm “grip” on the chimney base. If not, without the chimney in the gallery, gently pinch or push then inward slightly, to make a snug fit.

Next, compare your shade height with the chart below to determine the height of the chimney (for appearance only).

How to Determine the Correct Chimney Height for your Shade

We also have easy instructions on How to measure for a Kerosene or Oil Lamp Chimney.

Do you have one shade but need another? Or need to replace a shade which is cracked or broken? Check our helpful instructions on how to measure Student, Gone with the Wind, Hurricane, Fixture, Ball, and Globe Shades.