Table of Contents
Choosing the right size ceiling fan can be challenging and confusing – each space, style and preference is different. We’ve created the Ceiling Fan Size Guide to help you make a more informed buying decision.
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 1 Aspire Ceiling Fan White 2 Square](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Aspire-Ceiling-Fan-White-2-Square-2000x2000.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 2 Kirra KIR100 DC Ceiling Fan 4 Square](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Kirra-KIR100-DC-Ceiling-Fan-4-Square-2000x2000.jpg)
Choose the right size ceiling fan for your space
There’s no exact science to selecting the right size ceiling fan for a space (as every room layout is different), but the following sections will help guide you in the right direction. Always ensure at least 50cm of space from the tip of any blade to any wall. Pay attention to high furniture or floor-to-ceiling wardrobes to make sure they won’t reduce your fan’s performance.
“Always ensure at least 50cm of space from the tip of any blade to any wall.”
Small spaces (small bedrooms, offices, media rooms, etc.)
For small spaces less than 3m x 3m, we would recommend 48″ or smaller ceiling fans. A small Australian bedroom is around 2.8m x 2.5m, in which space we would recommend a 44″ ceiling fan, although depending on the room layout a 48″ would still suit. For small spaces, consider your lighting requirements – you will most likely require a light kit on your ceiling fan. Having a 48″ ceiling fan in a small space may dominate the decor in the room – so consider the style of the ceiling fan to be installed.
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 3 Small Bedroom 280 250 44F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Small-Bedroom-280-250-44F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 4 Small Bedroom 280 250 44F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Small-Bedroom-280-250-44F-G.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 5 Small Bedroom 280 250 48F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Small-Bedroom-280-250-48F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 6 Small Bedroom 280 250 48F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Small-Bedroom-280-250-48F-G.jpg)
Medium spaces (standard bedrooms, living areas, dining area, etc.)
For medium spaces that are between 3m x 3m and 4m x 4m, consider ceiling fans between 48″ and 56″ in size, depending on the exact size of your room. The average bedroom size in an Australian home is around 3.2m by 3.0m, in which space we would recommend a 52″ ceiling fan. For larger than average bedrooms, up to 56″ model sizes may be suitable. A 56″ model in the standard bedroom would fit (depending on layout), however may dominate the space and provide too much airflow volume.
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 7 Standard Bedroom 320 320 48F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Standard-Bedroom-320-320-48F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 8 Standard Bedroom 320 320 48F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Standard-Bedroom-320-320-48F-G.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 9 Standard Bedroom 320 320 52F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Standard-Bedroom-320-320-52F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 10 Standard Bedroom 320 320 52F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Standard-Bedroom-320-320-52F-G.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 11 Standard Bedroom 320 320 56F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Standard-Bedroom-320-320-56F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 12 Standard Bedroom 320 320 56F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Standard-Bedroom-320-320-56F-G.jpg)
The average standard Master Bedroom in an Australian home is 4m x 3.8m and blurs the line between medium and large spaces. This would allow for ceiling fans up to 60″ in diameter, although a 52″ ceiling fan positioned directly over the bed would still provide the necessary cooling while you sleep. A small Master Bedroom that is 3.5m x 3.5m would suit either a 52″ or 56″ ceiling fan.
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 13 Medium Master Bedroom 400 380 56F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Medium-Master-Bedroom-400-380-56F-2000x1602.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 14 Medium Master Bedroom 400 380 56F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Medium-Master-Bedroom-400-380-56F-G-2000x1602.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 15 Medium Master Bedroom 400 380 60F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Medium-Master-Bedroom-400-380-60F-2000x1602.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 16 Medium Master Bedroom 400 380 60F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Medium-Master-Bedroom-400-380-60F-G-2000x1602.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 17 Small Master Bedroom 350 350 52F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Small-Master-Bedroom-350-350-52F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 18 Small Master Bedroom 350 350 52F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Small-Master-Bedroom-350-350-52F-G.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 19 Small Master Bedroom 350 350 56F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Small-Master-Bedroom-350-350-56F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 20 Small Master Bedroom 350 350 56F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Small-Master-Bedroom-350-350-56F-G.jpg)
The average Living Room in an Australian home is 4.2m x 3.4m and suits models between 52″ and 56″ in diameter. Try to position your ceiling fan over key gathering points – e.g. the couch in a living room – to provide the most cooling.
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 21 Living Room 420 340 52F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-420-340-52F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 22 Living Room 420 340 52F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-420-340-52F-G.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 23 Living Room 420 340 56F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-420-340-56F.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 24 Living Room 420 340 56F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-420-340-56F-G.jpg)
Large spaces (large master bedroom, large living areas, dining area, etc.)
For large spaces that are over 4.0m x 4.0m, consider ceiling fans that are over 56″ in size. An average master bedroom in Australia is 4.2m x 3.9m, which would suit a 56″ blade span ceiling fan. For very large spaces, it is often more effective to install multiple smaller ceiling fans located over specific gathering points (couch, dining table, etc.) as opposed to one large ceiling fan.
A very large master bedroom (e.g. 5m x 4.2m) may suit a ceiling fan up to 70″ in diameter for people that enjoy a gentle, quiet ceiling fan while they sleep.
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 25 Large Master Bedroom 500 420 56F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Large-Master-Bedroom-500-420-56F-2000x1686.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 26 Large Master Bedroom 500 420 56F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Large-Master-Bedroom-500-420-56F-G-2000x1686.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 27 Large Master Bedroom 500 420 60F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Large-Master-Bedroom-500-420-60F-2000x1686.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 28 Large Master Bedroom 500 420 60F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Large-Master-Bedroom-500-420-60F-G-2000x1686.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 29 Large Master Bedroom 500 420 72F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Large-Master-Bedroom-500-420-72F-2000x1686.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 30 Large Master Bedroom 500 420 72F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Large-Master-Bedroom-500-420-72F-G-2000x1686.jpg)
A Large Living Room that is 5.5m x 5m would suit models larger than 56″ in size, although the 56″ model would need to be well-positioned and would only provide localised cooling (e.g. over a couch). Depending on the type of cooling you are looking for, a larger ceiling fan may suit the space better but factor in the type of airflow and cooling you would prefer.
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 31 Living Room 550 500 56F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-550-500-56F-2000x1774.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 32 Living Room 550 500 56F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-550-500-56F-G-2000x1774.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 33 Living Room 550 500 60F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-550-500-60F-2000x1774.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 34 Living Room 550 500 60F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-550-500-60F-G-2000x1774.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 35 Living Room 550 500 72F](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-550-500-72F-2000x1774.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 36 Living Room 550 500 72F G](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Living-Room-550-500-72F-G-2000x1774.jpg)
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 37 Spitfire SPI60 Ceiling Fan 4 Square](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Spitfire-SPI60-Ceiling-Fan-4-Square.jpg)
Hang your ceiling fan at an optimal height
One often overlooked variable in the performance of a ceiling fan is its distance both from where the air needs to be delivered but also the distance of the fan from the ceiling. While it makes sense that you want the breeze velocity from the fan close to where it is needed to create optimal wind chill and breeze, this air needs to come from somewhere.
Ceiling fans draw in air from above and force it down to create the breeze we feel. If there is a restriction of the available air above the blades for the fan to draw upon, this can create a vacuum effect and begin to draw the same air that is being displaced down, back up to the top of the fan. This results in a “cavitation” effect and impedes the performance of the fan. In most cases the ceiling fan provided to you in a box is not set to its optimum drop away from the ceiling, it is generally provided to you to be 30cm from the ceiling as this is the minimum height requirement on a standard 2.4m ceiling in Australia.
“Your ceiling fan blades must always be at least 2.1m from the floor to meet safety regulations.”
If you have the luxury in your space to be able to drop the fan down from the ceiling via a downrod it is advisable to do so to get the most out of your fan’s performance. For starters this gets the maximum velocity of the air forced closer to where it is needed, however, it is equally important for the fan to have as much unobstructed access to air from above to force it down efficiently.
“For high ceilings, try to position your ceiling fan between 2.4m and 2.7m from the floor.”
In terms of buying a downrod accessory for your ceiling fan, all our downrods are available in either 90cm or 180cm lengths and these can be cut to custom lengths by your installing electrician. The exact recommended downrod length for each ceiling height will vary slightly between models, as it depends on how deep the fan itself is. Refer to the ceiling fan’s Data Sheet as this will outline the distance from the ceiling to the bottom of the motor and blades for each model. This figure will be helpful in determining whether you will need a longer downrod, along with how long that downrod should be.
![Ceiling Fan Size Guide 38 Downrod Length Based on Ceiling Height Guide](https://360fans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Downrd-Length-Ceiling-Height-Guide-2000x681.jpg.webp)
You can always get in touch with our friendly team should you have any questions or concerns about your specific installation requirements.
Consider your ceiling slope or angle
The recommended downrod lengths may change based on the slope or angle of your ceiling as high raked ceilings may require your fan to be dropped further to avoid the blades coming into contact with the ceiling.
Refer to our Sloped Ceiling Kits Guide for advice on whether you need an additional accessory.