Free tool
Christmas tree & lights calculator
Pick the right tree for your room, then find out how many lights, ornaments and feet of garland it needs — before you head to the tree lot.
Your tree
7′ tall
about 4′ 2″–5′ 3″ wide · tree skirt ~69″
- 💡700 mini lightsClassic look (~100 per foot)
- 🔴105 ornamentsMix sizes — big ones inside, small at the tips
- 🎀14 ft of garland or ribbonMore if you wrap tightly
- 💧~4 quarts of water a dayRule of thumb: 1 quart per inch of trunk
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Before you buy
- Measure twice: ceiling height and the floor space (width) where the tree will stand — and the doorway it has to fit through.
- Freshness test: needles should bend, not snap, and few should fall when you tap the trunk.
- Fresh cut: ask for a fresh cut off the base and get it in water within a few hours.
- Safety: keep the tree away from heaters and fireplaces, and turn lights off at night. More in our Christmas tree guide and decorating safety tips.
Frequently asked questions
What size Christmas tree do I need?
Measure your ceiling and subtract about one foot for the stand and the tree topper. For an 8-foot ceiling, a 7-foot tree is the classic choice. Also measure the floor space — a full tree is usually about 60–75% as wide as it is tall.
How many lights do I need for my Christmas tree?
A common rule of thumb is about 100 mini lights per foot of tree height for a classic look, about 50 per foot for a simple look and 150 or more for a dazzling one.
How much water does a Christmas tree need?
A widely used guideline is about one quart of water per day for each inch of trunk diameter. Check the stand every day, especially in the first week — never let the water drop below the base of the trunk.
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