How many feet of lights do I need for a 6-foot tree?
"The average person usually has a 6-foot tree," says prop stylist and crafter Karin Lidbeck-Brent. "So an easy, general rule to remember is that for each foot of your tree, you'd want to use one strand of lights.
Our golden rule is 100 bulbs or 5 metres of lights per 2ft of Christmas tree. For a 6ft tree we recommend 300 bulbs or 15 metres of lights. If you're a fairy light lover, double up or mix and match styles for extra sparkle.
Use this equation to learn how to wrap a tree with lights: 4'H trunk / 3" spacing = 16 x 2' circumference = 32' of lighting. 3'L branch / 3" spacing = 12 x 6" circumference = 6' of lighting per branch. Total lighted feet will be approximately 56' for the trunk and four branches.
“A good rule of thumb is 100 lights for every foot-and-a-half of tree,” according to Lowe's. But Better Homes & Gardens recommends using three 100-light sets for every foot of a tree's height. And Real Simple suggests 100 lights for every foot.
Once you have identified the best approach for your space, simply measure out the design on the ground. Be sure to add two to six feet for every run to give it a natural look.
General Rule: For heavy lighting, plan for around 200 mini Christmas tree lights per vertical foot-and-a-half of tree. If you prefer medium lighting, 100 mini lights per foot should be enough. Slender trees will require the fewest number of lights.
But you don't want to overdo it. A tree that's too cluttered with lights will be overbearing, while a tree without enough lights will seem sparse. First, evaluate whether you'll have a live tree or an artificial one.
Starting at the top of the tree, intertwine the lights on top of and under branches. Work your way down and around the tree, hanging lights in the back as well. When you reach the bottom, hide any extra lights behind the tree.
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How do you wrap lights around a Christmas tree?
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Use this equation to learn how to wrap a tree with lights: 4'H trunk / 3" spacing = 16 x 2' circumference = 32' of lighting. 3'L branch / 3" spacing = 12 x 6" circumference = 6' of lighting per branch. Total lighted feet will be approximately 56' for the trunk and four branches.
You should have no less than 2 feet between each fixture. This is so that there's enough space for people walking through without being blinded by two bright lights at once!
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Because light strings have a maximum wattage capacity, which is why many string lights come with a little fuse just in case you connect too many together at once. The fuse is designed to blow so you don't overload and damage your Christmas lights.
| Tree Size | Lights Needed |
|---|---|
| 3 - 4 Foot | - 100 Lights |
| 4 - 5 Foot | - 200 Lights |
| 5 - 6 Foot | - 360 Lights |
| 6 - 7 Foot | - 480 Lights |
Don't assume all lights are designed for outdoor use; wrap all connections between strings with electrical tape to keep moisture out. Always plug lights into a covered outlet protected with a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)—running cords from inside the house through a window or a mail slot is a fire hazard.
- Add more lights. This one may seem obvious, but have you tried it? ...
- Remove light blockers. Too many solid ornaments, pinecones or thick ribbon on a tree will block the light and cause your tree to look dark. ...
- Add reflectors.
Start with the lights first
The first, most important thing you need to do when decorating your Christmas tree, is to always add the lights first – it's more difficult to do this after you've added decorations like baubles and garlands.
A single circuit may be serving several outlets and/or light fixtures. If you suspect you're getting close to overload, divide the lights among two or more circuits. You can identify which outlets are on which circuits by switching off one breaker at a time. Then, check each outlet for power.
How many lights should I have for 5ft tree?
| Tree Size | Lights Needed |
|---|---|
| 3 - 4 Foot | - 100 Lights |
| 4 - 5 Foot | - 200 Lights |
| 5 - 6 Foot | - 360 Lights |
| 6 - 7 Foot | - 480 Lights |
A standard rule is 100-150 lights for every foot-and-a-half of tree, so, here's an easy guide for the most popular tree sizes: 6 foot artificial Christmas trees: between 400 and 600 lights.
We recommend as a guide you use approx 30 lights per foot in height of your Christmas Tree. For example, a 4ft. Christmas tree should have 120 Christmas tree lights, 5ft. tree 150 lights, 6ft tree 180 lights and a 7ft tree 210 lights.
