A ceiling fan should spin clockwise on low speed in winter when you’re looking up at it from below.

Winter fan direction: the gist

  • In winter, set the fan to turn clockwise (blades moving right when you look up).
  • Keep it on a low speed so you don’t feel a chilly breeze.
  • This creates a gentle updraft that pulls cool air up and pushes warm air (which collects near the ceiling) down along the walls and back into the room.

Why clockwise in winter?

  • Warm air naturally rises and sits near the ceiling, leaving the lower part of the room cooler.
  • Clockwise rotation on low mixes the air without a strong draft, so the room feels warmer and your heating system can run a bit less, saving energy.

How to check you’ve got it right

  • Stand under the fan and look up: in winter mode, the blades should appear to move from left to right (clockwise) and you should feel little to no direct breeze.
  • If you feel strong airflow blowing straight down, it’s likely in summer (counterclockwise) mode and should be switched.

TL;DR: For “what way should a fan spin in winter,” the answer is clockwise on low speed to gently push warm air back down and keep the room more comfortable.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.