Is this grow light too far from my shelves?

Closer can help if the plants are getting too little light, since intensity drops as the light gets farther away. But I wouldn’t move it right over the leaves all at once. Check the fixture’s distance guidance, then adjust gradually and watch for bleaching, crispy patches, or leaves that start looking stressed.

I’d check the light’s spread and strength before changing the setup. If it has adjustable beam angles, widening the spread may cover the shelves more evenly. A phone light-meter app can help compare one spot with another, but its readings are only a rough guide and don’t give a universal target for every plant or grow light.

There isn’t one ideal distance for every shelf. Plant type, fixture output, and how long the light is on all matter. If the plants are growing well, I wouldn’t change much just based on appearance of the gap. If growth is weak, try a modest adjustment and reassess over the next couple of weeks.