With a cozy glow and twinkling appeal, Christmas lights are a must-have for seasonal decorating. Not sure how to calculate how many Christmas lights you need to decorate your home for the holidays? Our guide will help you determine the correct amount of lights so that you don't have to worry about estimating. Read on to find our simple tips for how to calculate how many Christmas lights you need.

Christmas Light Tips

• Before calculating how many Christmas lights you need, we recommend determining which type of Christmas lights you need. Read our guide Types of Christmas Lights to find more information on different types, power sources, and features.
• Check the location rating of the Christmas lights to ensure that the lights can be installed where you want them to be placed. Outdoor-rated Christmas lights are designed to withstand cold and snowy temperatures, while indoor-rated Christmas lights are best used to decorate indoor Christmas trees, railings, or doorways.
• When determining how to calculate how many Christmas lights you need, make sure to measure the designated space first so that you can reference the measurements while shopping for Christmas lights.

Number of Lights You'll Need for the Outside of Your Home

Christmas lights are a great way to make your home feel special for the holidays. From the front porch to the roof peak, twinkling string lights can brighten up the outside of your home.

Step 1: Make a Plan & Measure

To calculate the number of string lights you'll need for the outside of your home, start by measuring the areas you'd like to cover. For straight-lined areas, such as a door or roof, use a tape measure or a laser measuring tool and record each measurement.

For railings or beams, measure the length of the area and then add a 1' to the measurement to account for the cord being wrapped around the railing or beam.

Step 2: Add the Measurements Together

Add all the measurements together to give yourself a rough estimate of how many total feet of lights you’ll need, then add 1' to each strand to make up the difference between the "total length" and "lighted length" of each strand. The total is the amount of lights you need to decorate the outside of your house.

Step 3: Create a Map

After calculating the right amount of lights, it's best to sketch out a map to help you visualize where the outlets are, how each strand would connect with another, and to streamline the installation process.

Step 4: Prepare for Installation

Now that you know exactly how many lights you need, it's time to gather all of the tools and materials you'll need to hang the lights.

Tip!

Not sure how to hang Christmas lights outside? Follow our guide How to Hang Christmas Lights Outside for step-by-step instructions on hanging outdoor Christmas lights, and read our guide How to Hang Christmas Lights on a Roof Peak for specific tips on installing Christmas lights on a roof peak.

Number of Lights You'll Need for a Christmas Tree

Your Christmas tree is often the center of your holiday decor, so it's important that you have the right amount of lights to fill your space with a warm glow.

As an easy rule of thumb, use one 100-light strand for each vertical foot of the Christmas tree. For example, a 6' tree should use six 100-light strands, or a 9' tree should have nine 100-light strands. We recommend having one or two extra strands on hand in case you need extra coverage or a strand isn't working properly. If you prefer a more brightly-lit tree, try adding one more strand. The extra strand will add a brighter glow to your Christmas tree without distracting too much from the ornaments.

Read our guide How to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree for tips on hanging lights on a Christmas tree, or check out our guide How to Hang Christmas Lights Inside to learn how to hang Christmas lights across doorways, banisters, and beams.

Tip!

Still daunted by the prospect of putting lights on a Christmas tree? Opt for a pre-lit model instead. These artificial Christmas trees have built-in lights that are already perfectly arranged on the tree. All you have to do is plug it into an outlet and enjoy the festive display!

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