How to Select a Ceiling Fan Downrod

More homes are being constructed with high ceilings. Extension downrods set the ceiling fan at the proper height for optimum performance.

The chart above is a basic guide for choosing a downrod. However, we recommend using the actual dimensions of the ceiling fan you are installing to determine the ideal downrod length. This will ensure your ceiling fan blades are positioned at the optimum height for safety, performance and comfort.

Take the popular Fanimation Huxley for example. The product specifications indicate the blades will be 18.75 inches from the ceiling with the included 6-inch downrod. Therefore, if you have a 9-foot ceiling, the blades would be 7 feet 5.25 inches from the floor.

Now, if you wanted to maintain that 7 foot 5.25 inch blade height, but were installing it on a 12 foot ceiling, you would require an extra 3 feet or a 42 inch extension downrod.

Calculating downrod length

Use the following mathematical formula to determine the downrod length you need. Simply enter your desired blade height and other indicated dimensions and the rest should be a breeze. (Include all measurements in inches.)

C – ceiling height
B – distance from fan blade to ceiling
H – desired height of blades from floor
D – included downrod length

Required Downrod Length = C – (B – D + H)