How Many Lights for a 5ft Christmas Tree?

A 5ft (1.5 m) Christmas tree needs about 450 lights at 300 per metre of tree, a rule of thumb for a full look. That is 3 sets of 200, or about 23 m of lit wire with bulbs 5 cm apart. For a lighter look use 225; for a dense one, 675.

Jump to your result ↓

Results

Example job shown. Change the numbers to match yours.

Tallest tree that fits

1.50 m

150 cm of tree, after the stand, topper and gap

Largest standard sizeTrees are sold in sizes of 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.4 and 3 m (4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 ft): 1.5 m
Width of that tree (at the base)A full tree is about 60% as wide as it is tall; slim trees are narrower: 90 cm
Floor space to clearTree width plus 30 cm each side, for the skirt and for walking past: 1.50 m across
Lights to buy (about 300 per metre)A rule of thumb for a full look: UK retailer guides range from about 80 to nearly 500 lights per metre. Use 450 per metre for a dense look, or fewer for cluster lights: 450 lights

Measure the ceiling where the tree will stand, and watch for sloped ceilings, beams and light fittings. A real tree loses a little height as it dries, and its branches spread more as it warms up. Keep a tree well away from heaters, fires and radiators: fire services say to keep it clear of heat sources, and 1 metre (about 3 feet) is the distance commonly recommended.

Before you buy: round up to whole packs, check the size printed on the label, and add a little spare. Your supplier has the final say.

Lights for a 5ft 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	225	2	1	11 m
300 a metre	Full (the calculator)	450	3	1	23 m
450 a metre	Dense	675	4	2	34 m

A 5ft tree: one set, worked along the branches

A 5ft (1.5 m) tree needs about 450 lights, so a single set of 500 covers it. It fits under a ceiling of 1.8 m with the usual stand and topper, so it suits a flat, a bedroom or a room with a sloping ceiling.

Rather than spiralling the lights round the outside, work up the tree in sections, taking the wire in and out along each branch. The tree looks lit from inside, and fewer lights fill it.

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

Affiliate links As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.

Christmas tree stand Tree skirt String lights (warm white)Tree topper Tree disposal bag

Frequently asked questions

How many lights for a 5ft Christmas tree?

About 450 at 300 lights per metre of tree, a rule of thumb for a full look. Use about 225 for a lighter look or cluster lights and 675 for a dense one.

How many sets of lights for a 1.5 m tree?

3 sets of 200 or 1 set of 500 for 450 lights. Connectable sets let you run them from one plug.

How long should lights be for a 5ft tree?

About 23 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 5ft tree?

At least 1.8 m, with an 8 cm stand, a 20 cm topper and a 2 cm gap. A full tree this size is about 90 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.

Your project