The main aim of this article is to determine suitable proportions for lightscoop skylights, whose main characteristic is a vertical opening oriented in the opposite direction to the solar trajectory, with a view to ensuring maximum illuminance on the area under study within a room. Lightscape 3.2 software was used to carry out the simulations, comparing the results with those obtained using DaySim 3.1. It was finally concluded that for this type of skylight a height/width ratio of approximately 4/3 is the most suitable for ensuring the highest daylight levels in a room in overcast sky conditions. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.