# fluorescent lights: T8 vs. T12

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-lights-t8-vs-t12/614872>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 6, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-lights-t8-vs-t12/614872 "2012-03-06T00:09:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-lights-t8-vs-t12/614872/1 "2012-03-06T00:09:45Z")

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If I have a T12 fluorescent light fixture, can I use T8 tubes in it? T8 and T12 tubes both utilize the G12 pin configuration on their ends, so physically, a T8 tube will fit a T-12 fixture - but will the innards of the T8 tube be electrically compatible with the ballast that is supplied with a T12 fixture?

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**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-lights-t8-vs-t12/614872/2 "2012-03-06T00:23:20Z")

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I think a T8 would draw less current than a T12, and so would work. I doubt is it doesn’t work you would be out much more than a short lived T8. I wouldn’t leave it on and unattended at least for a while.

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**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-lights-t8-vs-t12/614872/3 "2012-03-06T01:50:39Z")

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It depends. Lok at the ballast. Some are rated for T-12 or T-8. Some can work with T-8 bulbs a long time some will not last long.