What Size Christmas Tree for My Room? Height by Ceiling
Part of the project planner: Planning the holidays: dinner, tree and lights.
A good rule is to take about a foot off the ceiling height: a 7 ft tree for an 8 ft ceiling and 8 ft for a 9 ft ceiling, once the stand and topper are allowed for. The chart shows the tallest tree for each ceiling, its width and the floor space it takes.
Tree height by ceiling height
With a 3 inch stand, an 8 inch topper and a 1 inch gap under the ceiling:
| Ceiling | Tallest that fits | Standard size | Width at the base | Floor to clear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 ft | 6.0 ft | 6 ft | 43 in | 5.6 ft |
| 7.5 ft | 6.5 ft | 6.5 ft | 47 in | 5.9 ft |
| 8 ft | 7.0 ft | 7 ft | 50 in | 6.2 ft |
| 9 ft | 8.0 ft | 8 ft | 58 in | 6.8 ft |
| 10 ft | 9.0 ft | 9 ft | 65 in | 7.4 ft |
| 12 ft | 11.0 ft | 10 ft | 72 in | 8.0 ft |
Put your own stand, topper and ceiling into the Christmas tree size calculator. Sloped ceilings, beams and light fittings change the answer, so measure where the tree will stand.
How wide is each tree?
A full tree is about 60% as wide as it is tall, and slim or pencil trees are narrower. The floor space includes a foot of clear space on each side:
| Tree height | Width at the base | Floor space | Lights at 100 per foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft | 36 in | 5.0 ft | 500 |
| 6 ft | 43 in | 5.6 ft | 600 |
| 6.5 ft | 47 in | 5.9 ft | 650 |
| 7 ft | 50 in | 6.2 ft | 700 |
| 7.5 ft | 54 in | 6.5 ft | 750 |
| 8 ft | 58 in | 6.8 ft | 800 |
| 9 ft | 65 in | 7.4 ft | 900 |
| 10 ft | 72 in | 8.0 ft | 1,000 |
Choosing the tree
- Measure the room, not just the ceiling. A 7½ ft tree is about 3½ feet wide at the base, and needs space to walk around it.
- Real or artificial? A real tree gives the smell and the feel, and needs water every day. An artificial one reuses year after year and comes in slim shapes.
- Keep it away from heat. At least 3 feet from fireplaces, radiators and heaters, and never leave the lights on a real tree overnight.
- Choose the stand for the trunk. A stand should hold a gallon or more of water, and fit the trunk diameter.
- Plan the lights. About 100 lights per foot of tree for a classic look: see our tree lights calculator.
Mistakes that cost people money
- Buying a tree by height alone and forgetting the stand and the topper.
- Buying before measuring a room with a sloped ceiling.
- Letting a real tree dry out: a dry tree drops needles and is a fire risk.
- Choosing a very wide tree for a narrow room, where it blocks the way.
Frequently asked questions
What size Christmas tree for an 8 foot ceiling?
A 7 ft tree, after allowing for a 3 inch stand, an 8 inch topper and a 1 inch gap under the ceiling: about a foot off the ceiling height. Choose a shorter topper to go a size up.
How tall should a Christmas tree be for a 9 foot ceiling?
A 8 ft tree is the largest that fits with the same stand, topper and gap.
How wide is a 7.5 foot Christmas tree?
A full tree is about 60% as wide as it is tall, so a 7.5 ft tree is about 54 inches (4.5 ft) across at the base. Slim trees are narrower.
How many lights do I need for a Christmas tree?
About 100 per foot of tree for a classic look, so 700 lights for a 7 ft tree, and 150 per foot for a dense one.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.