Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 4, 2026

Troffer

A troffer is a rectangular light fixture that fits into a modular dropped ceiling grid. Troffer fixtures have typically been designed to accommodate standard fluorescent lamps, but are now often designed with integral LED sources. Troffers are typically recessed sitting above the ceiling grid, but are also available in surface mount 'boxes'. Those with integral LEDs are often known instead as LED light panels.

Last revised
Jun 4, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
142 w
Citations
2
Source
Wikipedia ↗

A troffer is a rectangular light fixture that fits into a modular dropped ceiling grid (i.e. 2' by 2' or 2' by 4'). Troffer fixtures have typically been designed to accommodate standard fluorescent lamps (T12, T8, or T5), but are now often designed with integral LED sources. Troffers are typically recessed sitting above the ceiling grid, but are also available in surface mount 'boxes'. Those with integral LEDs are often known instead as LED light panels.

Suspended ceiling source ↗

Use

LED troffer to retrofit fluorescent troffer source ↗

The troffer is the most common type of light fixture for use in commercial office spaces, schools, hospitals and lab facilities.1

Etymology

The word 'troffer' is a portmanteau of 'trough' and 'coffer'.2

References

References

  1. Miller N. (2012). CALiPER Exploratory Study Office and Classroom Recessed Troffer Lighting - ARRA Report (Report). doi:10.2172/1059625. OSTI 1059625.
  2. "Merriam-Webster".