Lights for a 4ft tree, by how full you want it
Retailer guides disagree a lot, from about 80 to nearly 500 lights per metre of tree. Here are three points in that range, with the sets you would need and the length of lit wire at 5 cm between bulbs:
| Lights per metre | Look | Lights | Sets of 200 | Sets of 500 | Lit length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 a metre | Light, or cluster lights | 180 | 1 | 1 | 9 m |
| 300 a metre | Full (the calculator) | 360 | 2 | 1 | 18 m |
| 450 a metre | Dense | 540 | 3 | 2 | 27 m |
A 4ft tree: small, and often away from a socket
A 4ft tree often stands on a table, a sideboard or in a window, where there may be no socket close by, so a battery set with a built-in timer suits it. At 300 a metre it takes about 360 lights, which is 18 m of lit wire at 5 cm spacing: one set of 500 is enough.
On a small tree, bulbs close together look better than a long, widely spaced set wound round many times. If the set is longer than the tree needs, push the spare deep into the branches rather than bunching it at the top.
Running LED tree lights for the whole season costs very little: see what Christmas lights cost to run. Keep a real tree well away from fires, heaters and radiators, and switch the lights off when you go out or go to bed.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Christmas Tree Size Calculator (UK): What Height Tree for My Room?: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many lights for a 4ft Christmas tree?
About 360 at 300 lights per metre of tree, a rule of thumb for a full look. Use about 180 for a lighter look or cluster lights and 540 for a dense one.
How many sets of lights for a 1.2 m tree?
2 sets of 200 or 1 set of 500 for 360 lights. Connectable sets let you run them from one plug.
How long should lights be for a 4ft tree?
About 18 m of lit wire with bulbs 5 cm apart, plus the lead to the socket. Wider spacing means a longer set for the same number of bulbs.
What ceiling height do I need for a 4ft tree?
At least 1.5 m, with an 8 cm stand, a 20 cm topper and a 2 cm gap. A full tree this size is about 72 cm wide at the base.
Related sizes and guides
Related sizes
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.