Leopard gecko
Leopard gecko lighting setup
Low-output UVB, a day-night cycle, and no light at night. The pigment of your gecko changes the numbers more than anything else here.
By Brijon M.Last updated
Target UVI 0.5-1.5 at the basking spot for a normally pigmented gecko, and no more than UVI 0.5-0.7 for albino, patternless and other reduced-pigment morphs. Run the lights 14 hours in summer, 12 hours in winter, and nothing at night.
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How we picked
Every pick below is scored against these thresholds, stated as numbers. Publishing them is the point: of the competitor roundups we surveyed, not one published a numeric selection threshold.
Can hit the species UVI target
Reaches the Ferguson zone basking figure for the species at a distance the enclosure actually allows - UVI 4.0-4.5 for a bearded dragon, 2.0-3.0 for a ball python, 0.5-1.5 for a leopard gecko
Source: ReptiFiles - Bearded Dragon Temperatures & UVB Requirements
Manufacturer or care reference publishes a mount distance
A stated distance in inches, with a mesh correction, not just a percentage on the box
Source: ReptiFiles - Bearded Dragon Temperatures & UVB Requirements
Linear tube, not a compact coil
T5 HO or T5 SO linear tube, so output covers a basking zone rather than a point
Source: ReptiFiles - Bearded Dragon Temperatures & UVB Requirements
Usable in an unshielded fixture
No glass or plastic over the lamp - both block UVB completely
Source: ReptiFiles - Bearded Dragon Temperatures & UVB Requirements
Stated replacement interval
12 months for a T5 fluorescent, regardless of whether visible light continues
Source: ReptiFiles - Bearded Dragon Temperatures & UVB Requirements
These are the same criteria every roundup on this site applies. See the full methodology.
Quick picks
Every row is scored against the published criteria below. Tap a row to read the full write-up.
| # | Product | Best for | Criteria met | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Arcadia ShadeDweller ProT5 Kit (7% UVB) Best for a normally pigmented gecko | Leopard geckos and crested geckos | 5/5 | Check price on Amazon#ad We may earn a commission. Price and stock are resolved at Amazon. |
| 2 |  Arcadia ShadeDweller Max 2.5% UVB Lamp Best for albino and patternless morphs | Albino, patternless and other reduced-pigment geckos | 5/5 | Check price on Amazon#ad We may earn a commission. Price and stock are resolved at Amazon. |
| 3 |  Solarmeter Model 6.5 UV Index Meter Essential for a light-sensitive morph | Verifying that your lamp actually hits the species UVI target | 3/5 | Check price on Amazon#ad We may earn a commission. Price and stock are resolved at Amazon. |
Light matters even setting UVB aside
Leopard geckos are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, with eyes evolved for low light - and that does not mean they need no lighting. Having a light on during the day helps regulate the day-night cycle, which is good for mental health and stimulates appetite. Occasional daytime basking is normal; many nocturnal species have been observed doing it.
UVB: the dose depends on pigment
| Pigmentation | Target UVI | Lamp | Distance (about 30% mesh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal / well pigmented | 0.5 - 1.5 | Arcadia ShadeDweller Max 2.5% | 8-14 in / 20-35 cm |
| Normal / well pigmented | 0.5 - 1.5 | Arcadia ShadeDweller 7% | 10-18 in / 25-45 cm |
| Albino, patternless, hypo | 0.5 - 0.7 | Arcadia ShadeDweller Max 2.5% | 12-14 in / 30-35 cm |
| Albino, patternless, hypo | 0.5 - 0.7 | Arcadia ShadeDweller 7% | 16-18 in / 40-45 cm |
Zoo Med, Reptile Systems and Exo Terra T5 VHO lamps are also described as suitable, with the caveat that each has a different output depending on brand and fixture, so you work from that manufacturer's chart and your own mesh obstruction - and double-check with a Solarmeter 6.5 where possible.
Photoperiod
14 hours in summer, 12 hours in winter, following the optimal photoperiod in the UV Tool referenced by the care guidance. A smart timer synced to local sunrise and sunset produces the seasonal drift automatically; the published suggestion is to bring the UVB on 59 minutes after sunrise rather than simultaneously with the daylight lamp, which approximates the morning ramp in natural UV.
The rules that apply to every lamp here
- Linear T5 tube, never a compact coil.
- No glass or plastic shield over the lamp - both block UVB completely while the visible light looks unchanged.
- Replace the tube every 12 months, regardless of visible output.
- Nothing on at night. No red, blue or black bulbs at any time.
The full answer on whether UVB is needed at all is here, and the complete distance table covers every species.
The picks in full
1. Best for a normally pigmented gecko
Arcadia ShadeDweller ProT5 Kit (7% UVB)
Arcadia Reptile · Leopard geckos and crested geckos
Published distances of 10 to 18 inches put a well-pigmented gecko inside the UVI 0.5-1.5 window through roughly 30% mesh. Sold as a matched kit, which removes the fixture guesswork that matters most at very low output.
Specifications
- Output
- 7% UVB, T5 SO
- Leopard gecko (normal pigment)
- 10-18 in / 25-45 cm, about 30% mesh
- Crested gecko (12 in lamp)
- 8-12 in / 20-30 cm, about 35% mesh
- Replace
- Every 12 months
How it scored against our criteria
| Can hit the species UVI targetReaches the Ferguson zone basking figure for the species at a distance the enclosure actually allows - UVI 4.0-4.5 for a bearded dragon, 2.0-3.0 for a ball python, 0.5-1.5 for a leopard gecko | Meets |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer or care reference publishes a mount distanceA stated distance in inches, with a mesh correction, not just a percentage on the box | Meets |
| Linear tube, not a compact coilT5 HO or T5 SO linear tube, so output covers a basking zone rather than a point | Meets |
| Usable in an unshielded fixtureNo glass or plastic over the lamp - both block UVB completely | Meets |
| Stated replacement interval12 months for a T5 fluorescent, regardless of whether visible light continues | Meets |
What works
- Purpose-built for Zone 1 targets instead of a de-rated desert lamp
- Sold as a kit, so the fixture and lamp are already matched
- Published distances for both normal and reduced-pigment morphs
What to know
- Short tube lengths only, so it lights a zone rather than the whole enclosure
- Still needs a meter if you keep an albino
Who should look elsewhere
For an albino or patternless leopard gecko the ceiling drops to UVI 0.5-0.7. Use the ShadeDweller Max 2.5% at the published distance instead of this 7%.
2. Best for albino and patternless morphs
Arcadia ShadeDweller Max 2.5% UVB Lamp
Arcadia Reptile · Albino, patternless and other reduced-pigment geckos
The ceiling for reduced-pigment morphs is UVI 0.5-0.7, and these animals can be burned by excess UVB. The 2.5% lamp at 12 to 14 inches is the published answer. This is the clearest case on the site where the weaker product is the correct one.
Specifications
- Output
- 2.5% UVB, T5 SO
- Leopard gecko (normal pigment)
- 8-14 in / 20-35 cm
- Leopard gecko (hypo pigment)
- 12-14 in / 30-35 cm
- Crested gecko (24 in lamp)
- 6-9 in / 15-23 cm
How it scored against our criteria
| Can hit the species UVI targetReaches the Ferguson zone basking figure for the species at a distance the enclosure actually allows - UVI 4.0-4.5 for a bearded dragon, 2.0-3.0 for a ball python, 0.5-1.5 for a leopard gecko | Meets |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer or care reference publishes a mount distanceA stated distance in inches, with a mesh correction, not just a percentage on the box | Meets |
| Linear tube, not a compact coilT5 HO or T5 SO linear tube, so output covers a basking zone rather than a point | Meets |
| Usable in an unshielded fixtureNo glass or plastic over the lamp - both block UVB completely | Meets |
| Stated replacement interval12 months for a T5 fluorescent, regardless of whether visible light continues | Meets |
What works
- Lets you provide UVB to a light-sensitive morph without risking a burn
- Published distances for both pigment classes
- Low enough output that small mounting errors are forgiving
What to know
- Output is low enough that distance errors in the other direction give you nothing
- Not a substitute for any Zone 2 or Zone 3 animal
Who should look elsewhere
A normally pigmented leopard gecko can use the 7% at a sensible distance and will get a more useful gradient from it.
3. Essential for a light-sensitive morph
Solarmeter Model 6.5 UV Index Meter
Solarmeter · Verifying that your lamp actually hits the species UVI target
With a target window of 0.5 to 0.7 UVI, a distance estimate based on an assumed mesh block is a thin margin. A reading at the basking spot removes the assumption.
Specifications
- Measures
- UV Index (UVI)
- Why this one
- Care references accept only the 6.5 / 6.5R for reptile UVI
- Use
- Measure at the basking surface, at the animal's back height
How it scored against our criteria
| Can hit the species UVI targetReaches the Ferguson zone basking figure for the species at a distance the enclosure actually allows - UVI 4.0-4.5 for a bearded dragon, 2.0-3.0 for a ball python, 0.5-1.5 for a leopard gecko | Meets |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer or care reference publishes a mount distanceA stated distance in inches, with a mesh correction, not just a percentage on the box | Meets |
| Linear tube, not a compact coilT5 HO or T5 SO linear tube, so output covers a basking zone rather than a point | Not published |
| Usable in an unshielded fixtureNo glass or plastic over the lamp - both block UVB completely | Meets |
| Stated replacement interval12 months for a T5 fluorescent, regardless of whether visible light continues | Not published |
What works
- Turns every distance chart on this site from an estimate into a measurement
- Catches a failing bulb that still produces visible light
- One purchase covers every enclosure you will ever own
What to know
- Costs more than the bulb it is checking
- Only useful if you actually use it on a schedule
Who should look elsewhere
If you will realistically never take a reading, spend the money on replacing bulbs on a 12-month calendar instead. An unused meter protects nothing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best light for a leopard gecko tank?
A low-output linear T5 UVB lamp targeting UVI 0.5-1.5 at the basking spot, plus daytime illumination for the day-night cycle. No light at night.
How much UVB does a leopard gecko need?
UVI 0.5-1.5 for a normally pigmented animal, and no more than 0.5-0.7 for albino, patternless and other reduced-pigment morphs.
How many hours of light does a leopard gecko need?
14 hours in summer, 12 hours in winter, following the published seasonal photoperiod.
Can leopard geckos have a red night light?
No. Reptiles see light from colored night bulbs and it disrupts the sleep cycle. For night heat, use a ceramic heat emitter in a guarded fixture.
Sources
- Leopard Gecko Temperatures & Humidity — ReptiFiles
- Effects of UVB exposure in captive leopard geckos (Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, 2018) — Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery
- What Are Ferguson Zones? Reptile UVB Information — Zen Habitats
- Solarmeter Model 6.5 UV Index Meter — Solarmeter
Read next
Hub
Leopard gecko tanks, lighting and substrate
Floor space is the constraint, not height. The published adult minimum is 4.5 sq ft - more than a 20-gallon long gives you.
Lighting & heat
Do leopard geckos need UVB?
Yes, at a low level: UVI 0.5-1.5, and no more than 0.5-0.7 for albino and patternless morphs.
Lighting & heat
6 best reptile UVB bulbs (2026), judged by UVI at a stated distance
UVB bulbs ranked by whether they reach the species UVI target at a distance your enclosure allows.
Lighting & heat
How many hours of UVB per day
Daily light and UVB hours by species, with the seasonal adjustment for each.
Lighting & heat
UVB distance and Ferguson zones
Ferguson zones with published UVI ranges and the mount distance for every lamp class.
Leopard gecko
Leopard gecko setup checklist
The complete leopard gecko setup checklist with the figure and instrument for each.