Lights by tree height
| Tree height | Classic: 100/ft (strands of 100) | Bright: 150/ft | Slim/pencil tree | C7/C9 big bulbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ft | 200 (2 strands) | 300 | 140 | 50 |
| 3 ft | 300 (3 strands) | 450 | 210 | 75 |
| 4 ft | 400 (4 strands) | 600 | 280 | 100 |
| 4.5 ft | 450 (5 strands) | 675 | 315 | 113 |
| 5 ft | 500 (5 strands) | 750 | 350 | 125 |
| 6 ft | 600 (6 strands) | 900 | 420 | 150 |
| 6.5 ft | 650 (7 strands) | 975 | 455 | 163 |
| 7 ft | 700 (7 strands) | 1,050 | 490 | 175 |
| 7.5 ft | 750 (8 strands) | 1,125 | 525 | 188 |
| 8 ft | 800 (8 strands) | 1,200 | 560 | 200 |
| 9 ft | 900 (9 strands) | 1,350 | 630 | 225 |
| 10 ft | 1,000 (10 strands) | 1,500 | 700 | 250 |
| 12 ft | 1,200 (12 strands) | 1,800 | 840 | 300 |
Get the exact number for your tree. Open the christmas tree lights calculator →
Slim trees, extra-full trees and big bulbs
- Slim or pencil trees: about 70% of the standard count, e.g. 500 lights for a 7 ft slim tree.
- Extra-full trees (wider than about 55 inches at 7 ft): add 25%.
- C7 and C9 bulbs are larger and spaced 8–12 inches apart, so you need about a quarter as many, around 25 per foot.
- Fairy (copper wire) lights are tiny and look sparse, so many people use 150–200 per foot.
- Pre-lit trees usually have 50–70 lights per foot. Add a strand or two if yours looks dim.
How to put lights on a tree
- Plug the strands in and test them before they go on the tree.
- Start at the bottom near the trunk, by the outlet.
- Work up in sections, weaving lights in and out along each branch, not just wrapping around the outside. This gives depth.
- Keep the plug end of each strand reachable so you can connect the next one.
- Check the label for how many strands can be connected end to end.
What do tree lights cost to run?
| Tree | LED mini: season cost | Incandescent mini: season cost |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft (600 lights) | $1.24 | $10.63 |
| 7 ft (700 lights) | $1.45 | $12.40 |
| 9 ft (900 lights) | $1.87 | $15.94 |
Questions
How many lights for a 7.5 ft tree?
About 750 mini lights (8 strands of 100) for a classic look, or about 1,100 for a bright look.
How many lights for a 6 ft tree?
About 600 mini lights, which is 6 strands of 100. A slim 6 ft tree needs about 420.
How many feet of lights for a 9 ft tree?
900 mini lights at the usual 4-inch spacing is roughly 300 feet of light string.
Are LED Christmas lights cheaper to run?
Yes. LED minis use roughly one-eighth of the electricity of incandescent minis and last much longer.