What Is Beam Angle? Spread and Throw Explained
Beam angle is the width of a light’s spread, in degrees, usually measured to the points where its output drops to half of what it is at the center.
Also called: beam spread · spread · field angle
Narrow throws, wide floods
A narrow beam, 10 to 25 degrees, throws a long way and lands as a defined pool; a wide one, 60 to 120 degrees, covers more of the set at a shorter distance with less punch. The same head changes its beam with its modifier: a Fresnel or a projection lens narrows it, a softbox or lantern opens it and softens the edge.
Manufacturers sometimes quote the field angle instead, measured to a tenth of the center output. It is always wider than the beam angle, so compare like with like.
