Work out how many metres and strings of fairy lights you need for a tree, house front or balcony railing.
How this works
For a tree, the classic guide is 100 lights per 30 cm of height, which is about 33 m of string (at 10 cm spacing) per metre of tree. Use half for a subtle look, double for a dazzling one. A house front needs about 1x its width for the eaves, 2.2x with the roof and windows outlined. Railings take 1.1x straight, 1.5x draped, 2.5x wrapped. Add 3 m to reach the socket.
Questions people ask
How do I use the String Lights Calculator?
Fill in the fields, starting with “What are you lighting”, “Tree height” and “House front width”, and change any other options that match your home. The answer, a drawing and practical tips update as you type, and the Copy link button saves your numbers in a link you can share.
Is the String Lights Calculator free?
Yes. The String Lights Calculator is free, with no sign-up, and works on phones, tablets and computers. The results are estimates to help you plan, so check with a qualified professional before structural, electrical, gas or plumbing work.