How many lights do you need for a 7ft Christmas tree?

Decorating the Christmas tree with lights is one of the most exciting parts of the holiday season. But determining how many lights you need can be tricky, especially for larger trees. The general recommendation is 100 lights per vertical foot of tree. So for a 7ft tree, you’d need approximately 700 lights.

Table of Contents

Quick answers

Here are some quick answers to common questions about Christmas tree lights:

100 lights per vertical foot is the standard recommendation

So for a 7ft tree you need around 700 lights
LED lights allow you to string more lights on a tree safely
Go with warm white lights for a classic look, colored for fun

Choose mini or regular size lights based on preference
You may need around 10-20% more lights for pre-lit artificial trees to achieve full coverage
Test lights before putting them on the tree to ensure all strands work

Evenly space lights starting from the top to bottom of the tree

Why 100 Lights Per Vertical Foot?

The 100 lights per vertical foot recommendation provides enough lights for full, even coverage without overloading the tree. Less than this and you risk visible gaps and bare spots. More than this and you start to go overboard, creating a gaudy look and overburdening the tree branches.

100 lights per foot strikes the right balance for most trees. It provides glow and sparkle while avoiding an excessive tangle of wires and dense cluttering of bulbs.

Other Factors to Consider

While 100 lights per vertical foot is a good general guideline, other factors can come into play:

Tree shape and fullness: Sparse trees and trees with irregular shapes may require more lights for even coverage. Fuller trees may need a little less.
Light size: Mini lights allow you to safely string more per foot since they are smaller and produce less heat. Aim for 150-200 mini lights per vertical foot.

Ceiling height: Trees in rooms with high ceilings usually need more lights since they are farther away from the viewer.
Personal preference: Some like a dazzlingly full look with more lights, while others prefer a simpler, more tasteful look with fewer lights.

As you can see, the 100 per foot recommendation is a starting point. Evaluate your specific tree and adjust up or down depending on its unique characteristics and your decorating style preferences.

Choosing the Right Amount of Lights

Follow these tips to choose the perfect amount of Christmas lights for your tree:

Measure the height of your tree in feet. A 7ft tree would be 84 inches tall.
Multiply the height in feet by 100. So for a 7ft tree, start with 700 lights.

Assess the fullness and shape of your tree. Increase or decrease lights as needed from the 100 per foot estimate.
Consider light size – mini lights allow for more bulbs. And remember, more for high ceilings.
Decide on light color. Warm white or multicolor.

Buy enough light strands to achieve desired number based on lights per strand.
Test lights before putting them on tree to ensure all strands work.
Carefully put on lights starting at the top and working down, spacing evenly.

Step back and evaluate. Add more strands in sparse areas if needed.

Follow this process and you’ll have a gorgeously lit Christmas tree – neither too much nor too little! As a final check, if standing 10 feet away the tree looks fully lit without dense clusters of lights, you’ve picked the right amount.

Lighting an Artificial Tree

Many artificial Christmas trees come with built-in lights, also known as pre-lit trees. This saves the hassle of having to string on your own lights.

However, pre-lit trees often don’t have enough lights for an optimal effect. Plan to supplement the existing lights with more strands. Here are some tips:

Count the number of existing light bulbs and divide by the tree height in feet to see if it matches the 100 lights per foot recommendation.
Plug in the pre-strung lights and look for dark spots and gaps in lighting that need filling.

Assume you may need 10-20% more lights than the tree currently has to achieve good coverage.
Choose matching light strands to integrate seamlessly with existing lights.
Weave new strands in and around the pre-strung lights to spread the lighting evenly.

With some additional lights, you can turn an artificially lit tree into a naturally beautiful glowing Christmas centerpiece.

LED vs. Incandescent Lights

When choosing light strands, LED and incandescent lights are the two main options. Each has pros and cons to consider:

Light Type	LED	Incandescent
Energy use	Uses less electricity	Uses more electricity
Lifespan	Last longer – up to 10 seasons	Average 1-3 seasons
Safety	Cooler running – lower fire risk	Hotter – higher fire risk
Number of lights	Can string more per foot	Less per foot recommended
Color	Wide color range available	Classic warm white glow

As you can see, LED lights are more energy efficient, durable, and safer for decorating trees. This allows you to string more on each tree with less risk. However incandescent lights provide that nostalgic soft white glow.

Our Recommendation

We recommend LED lights for Christmas trees for most homes. The ability to safely add more per foot results in a better lit tree. And the lower energy use and longer lifespan save money and hassle in the long run.

However, if you have a smaller tree or value the old-fashioned ambiance of incandescents, opting for warm white incandescent strands can be the right choice as long as you follow safety precautions.

Spacing and Placing Lights

Once you’ve chosen the right number of lights, the technique for stringing them on the tree matters too.

Follow these tips for even, well-lit placement:

Start at the top and work downward in a spiral pattern.
Space lights evenly apart to cover all sides and avoid gaps.

Wrap lights carefully to avoid damage to branches and needles.
Place light strands closer together at the top since this is most visible.
Step back and look for dark spots to fill in more lights as needed.

For pre-lit trees, weave new strands in between existing lights.

Focus especially on lighting the top half and sides of the tree since these are the most visible areas. Keep adjusting and adding lights until you achieve a consistent glow from all sides.

What to Avoid

These common mistakes can lead to poorly lit Christmas trees:

Stringing on too many or too few lights – follow the 100 per foot guideline.
Leaving the back and interior of the tree unlit.
Clustering lights unevenly leading to bright and dark patches.

Not checking for burnt out bulbs and issues with light strands before stringing.
Lacking patience – take your time stringing on lights evenly for best results.

With care and by avoiding these errors, your Christmas lighting will look picture-perfect this holiday season.

Matching Tree and House Lights

For a cohesive and impressive display, match the color and style of your Christmas tree lights with the home exterior decorations.

Some tips for coordinated lighting:

Choose all warm white or multicolor for both house and tree.

Match the light type – all LED or all incandescent.
Buy light strands from a single matching collection for the tree and house.
Use the same light colors on wreaths, garlands, etc. as on the tree.

Replace older light strands on house or tree to create a unified look.

A beautifully coordinated Christmas light display will amplify the magical holiday ambiance. Make sure to snap some family photos in front of the lit up house and tree!

Safety Tips for Christmas Lights

While Christmas tree lights provide wonderful seasonal cheer, they also pose an elevated fire risk. Take these precautions for a safe holiday:

Choose cooler running LED lights which are less likely to start fires.
Inspect lights for damage before stringing and discard any frayed or broken strands.
Follow the recommended number of light strand connections – no more than 3 strands of incandescent lights connected.

Do not leave tree lights on unattended or while sleeping.
Never string lights on a metallic tree. Use only on natural or flame-retardant artificial trees.
Keep lights away from flammable materials and don’t let bulbs touch tree branches or needles.

Taking these simple safety steps will help prevent Christmas tree fires and make the season merry and bright.

Christmas Light Alternatives

If you’re looking for a break from traditional Christmas lights, consider these fun alternatives for your tree:

Ribbon: Wrap wide ribbon up and around the tree for a decorative touch.

Garland: Opt for classy beaded or tinsel garland strands.
Ornaments: Adorn the branches solely with a statement making ornament collection.
Flowers: Intersperse artificial poinsettias, roses, and other flowers for a natural look.

Berries: String bare tree branches with faux holly berries for striking crimson color.
Lanterns: Hang miniature lanterns with electric candles for warm ambiance.

These alternatives provide a different but still festive look compared to traditional string lights. Mix and match with some lights for a colorful, textured tree.

Conclusion

Decorating a Christmas tree with that perfect amount of lights brings so much seasonal joy. Now that you know to use 100 mini lights or about 70-80 regular lights per vertical foot of tree, you’re ready to create holiday magic. Factor in your tree’s size, shape, and existing lights for the ideal glowing tree to delight family and guests.

As a final summary:

For a 7ft tree, plan on around 700 total lights

LEDs allow for more lights safely
Space lights evenly starting at the top
Match colors to other decor for a coordinated look

Take safety precautions like checking for frayed cords
Consider alternatives like ribbon or garland for variety

Follow these tips and your home will dazzle with Christmas cheer this season. Happy holidays!