How many lights for a 6 ft Christmas tree?
A 6 ft Christmas tree takes about 600 lights at the usual 100 per foot of height — 6 strings of 100.
How to work it out
- 6 ft × 100 per foot = 600 lights
- 600 lights ÷ 100 per string = 6 strings
Six feet is the apartment and family-room tree: tall enough to look like a proper tree, short enough for a standard ceiling with room for a star. At about 100 lights per foot, it takes six strings of 100 mini lights.
Adjust for your project
- Strings to buy
- 6 strings
- Separate runs to plug in
- check the maximum on the box — LED strings can usually connect more
- Lights per foot of height
- 100
- LED sets list how many can be connected end to end on the box or tag. Stay under that number, and under three sets per extension cord (CPSC).
- Use lights with a UL, CSA or ETL label, check every string for broken sockets or frayed wire before it goes on, and never put electric lights on a metallic tree (CPSC).
Lights for a tree by height (style and shape as above)
| Tree height | Lights | Strings to buy |
|---|---|---|
| 3 ft | 300 lights | 3 strings |
| 4 ft | 400 lights | 4 strings |
| 5 ft | 500 lights | 5 strings |
| 6 ft | 600 lights | 6 strings |
| 6.5 ft | 650 lights | 7 strings |
| 7 ft | 700 lights | 7 strings |
| 7.5 ft | 750 lights | 8 strings |
| 8 ft | 800 lights | 8 strings |
| 9 ft | 900 lights | 9 strings |
| 10 ft | 1,000 lights | 10 strings |
| 12 ft | 1,200 lights | 12 strings |
Six strings, or more if you like it bright
| 6 ft tree | Slim | Standard | Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtle (50/ft) | 225 | 300 | 375 |
| Classic (100/ft) | 450 | 600 | 750 |
| Bright (150/ft) | 675 | 900 | 1,125 |
| Very bright (200/ft) | 900 | 1,200 | 1,500 |
Six strings of 100 is the classic look: a steady glow with the ornaments still doing the work. If you wrap each branch from the trunk out — the way display trees in shops are lit — you will want the bright column, nine strings of 100. On a slim or pencil tree, the same look takes about a quarter fewer.
Plugging it in
With LED strings, six sets end to end is usually within the limit printed on the box, so one plug at the base of the tree can do the job; check the tag. With incandescent strings, CPSC and ESFI say no more than three connected together — so six strings means two separate runs, each plugged into its own outlet or a rated power strip. Plan the runs before you start: one up the back, one up the front.
- Start at the bottom, plug end at the base, so each string plugs into the one below it.
- Test every string on the floor first — finding a dead string on the tree is no fun.
- Use a timer so the tree goes off at bedtime.
Taller tree? How many lights for a 7 ft tree. Porch or patio: the string lights calculator.
Different size? Use the full Christmas Tree Lights Calculator.
What you’ll need
- LED mini lights (100-light strings)Budget price
LED mini lights run cool and draw a fraction of the power of incandescent strings, so more strings can be connected end to end — follow the limit on the box.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Outdoor plug-in timerBudget price
Turns tree and patio lights on at dusk and off at bedtime, so nobody leaves them on all night.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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Frequently asked questions
How many lights for a 6 ft slim tree?
About 450 lights — 5 strings of 100.
How many lights for a 5 ft tree?
About 500 lights — 5 strings of 100.
How many lights for a 4 ft tree?
About 400 lights — 4 strings of 100.
Other common sizes
- How many lights for a 7 ft tree — 700 lights
- How many lights for a 9 ft tree — 900 lights
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Holiday decorating safety (CPSC 611) (opens in a new tab) — Use lights tested by an independent laboratory; no more than three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord; never put electric lights on a metallic tree.
- U.S. CPSC — Happy holidays start with safety (2025 news release) (opens in a new tab) — Never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights, and never overload outlets.
- Electrical Safety Foundation International — Top 10 holiday safety tips (opens in a new tab) — Never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights; look for UL, CSA or ETL certification labels.