How many lights for a Christmas tree
The planning rule is 100 LEDs per foot of tree height for medium coverage. Halve it for a sparse look and add half again for a dense one. Then check the lit length, because 600 bulbs on 10m of cable and 600 on 30m give very different trees.
Lights by tree height
| Tree height | Sparse (50 per ft) | Medium (100 per ft) | Dense (150 per ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4ft (120cm) | 200 LEDs | 400 LEDs | 600 LEDs |
| 5ft (150cm) | 250 LEDs | 500 LEDs | 750 LEDs |
| 6ft (180cm) | 300 LEDs | 600 LEDs | 900 LEDs |
| 7ft (210cm) | 350 LEDs | 700 LEDs | 1,050 LEDs |
| 8ft (240cm) | 400 LEDs | 800 LEDs | 1,200 LEDs |
These assume a standard full-width tree. A slim or pencil tree has half the circumference, so halve the figures; a very wide tree or one with a high tip count can take more. Cluster lights pack their bulbs closely, so a 720 LED cluster set covers a 6ft tree as well as a 600 LED straight string.
Why lit length matters
The lit length is the part of the cable that carries bulbs. To wrap a 6ft tree properly you need about 20 to 25m of lit cable; a 600 LED set with a 15m lit length spaces the bulbs 2.5cm apart and wraps well, but one with a 6m lit length bunches into a bright rope that will not reach round the branches. Every set on this site lists the lit length and the lead length (the plain cable to the plug) separately, so compare both.
How to wind lights on a tree
- Fluff and shape the branches first; adding lights before shaping means doing it twice.
- Plug the set in and test it before it goes near the tree.
- Start at the bottom, at the trunk. Run the string out along a branch to the tip, back to the trunk, then on to the next branch, working round and upwards. This lights the inside of the tree as well as the outside and is what makes a tree glow rather than sparkle.
- Keep the lead end at the base so it reaches the socket, and the far end near the top.
- Step back every quarter turn. Dark patches are easier to fix as you go.
Colour and mixing
Warm white suits green trees and gold, red and copper decorations; white suits silver, blue and snowy trees; multi coloured is the traditional family tree. If you mix two sets, keep them the same colour temperature, or use a set sold as a mix. The warm white and multi coloured pages collect the sets by colour.
Pre-lit trees
A pre-lit tree already carries its lights, spaced by the maker. In our range 6ft pre-lit trees have 180 to 480 LEDs and 7ft trees 230 to 680, which sits between sparse and medium on the table above; if you want a denser tree, add a set in the same colour. The pre-lit or unlit guide compares the two.
Common questions
How many lights for a 6ft tree?
600 LEDs for medium coverage, 300 for sparse, 900 for dense. Check that the lit length is 20m or more so the string wraps rather than bunches.
How many lights for a 7ft tree?
700 LEDs for medium coverage. A 1,000 LED set gives a dense tree, and two 400 LED sets are easier to handle than one long set.
Is it better to use one long set or two shorter ones?
Two sets are easier to wind and let you light the top and bottom halves separately. One set means one plug and one transformer. Either works; keep the colour the same.