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Christmas tree lights: what length do you need and how to put them on
Categories :
Decor
, Interior
, New features
Lights that are too short leave the bottom of the tree in the dark, and you often only notice once the baubles are on. Here is how many metres to allow for your tree's height, using our Christmas tree string lights as a guide.
You'll find a size chart by height, our trio of mini LED, shiny balls and LED candles, and how to fit them in 6 steps. Guirled is a French company specialising in decorative lighting since 2016, with over 100,000 customers.
What length of lights does your Christmas tree need?
Measure your tree from base to tip, then read the matching row. Mini LED wraps the whole tree, while cotton balls stand out more and need fewer metres.
| Tree height | Cotton balls | Mini LED |
|---|---|---|
| 1.20 m (4 ft) | 1 set of 24 balls | 10 m (100 LEDs) |
| 1.50 m (5 ft) | 1 set of 32 balls | 20 m (200 LEDs) |
| 1.80 m (6 ft) | 2 sets of 32 balls | 20 m (200 LEDs) |
| 2.10 m (7 ft) | 3 sets of 32 balls | 30 m (one 20 m + one 10 m) |
| 2.40 m (8 ft) or more | 3 or more sets of 32 balls | 40 m (two 20 m sets) |
A guide for a tree of average width, with one round of mini LED about every 15 cm. Very wide tree, or want more light? Go up a step. Good to know: within the same range, the discount applies automatically in your basket: -10% from 2 products, -15% from 3 and -20% from 4. For the rest of the house, see our length guide.
Mini LED, shiny balls, LED candles: the Christmas tree trio
Three lights, three roles. Mini LED makes the tree sparkle, shiny balls decorate it, and LED candles add warmth around it. Here is how the two sets of lights compare.
| Cotton balls | Mini LED | |
|---|---|---|
| Effect | Clearly visible 6 cm balls that decorate the tree | Fine, discreet wire: the whole tree sparkles |
| Length | 3.2 m, 4 m or 4.8 m (16, 24 or 32 balls) | 10 m (100 LEDs) or 20 m (200 LEDs) |
| Colours | Shiny gold, silver, bronze and champagne, plus over 50 colours | Silver copper wire, warm white light |
| Control | Classic, remote or Wi-Fi | Classic, remote or Wi-Fi |
| Use | Indoors | Indoors |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Mini LED, for the sparkle
The wire blends into the branches: all you see are points of light, all the way up the tree.
Our pick: remote-controlled mini LED, or all our mini LED lights.
Shiny balls, for decoration
Gold, silver, bronze or champagne: their glitter finish catches the light and replaces some of your baubles.
Our pick: the remote-controlled Radiance, or a set in your own colours.
LED candles, around the tree
Real wax and a flickering flame, with no real fire near the branches. Stand them on a console or the festive table.
Our LED candle, rechargeable with a remote. Pre-order, shipping from 25 November 2026.
How to put lights on a Christmas tree in 6 steps
Allow a few minutes per metre of tree. The order matters more than the technique.
1
Test them first
Unroll the lights and switch them on at floor level, especially if they've spent the year in a box.
Check where the cable will run to the socket too.
2
Lights go on first
Lights go on before the baubles. The other way round, you may end up taking everything off again.
3
Start at the bottom
Begin at the base, on the socket side, and work up to the tip. The cable stays hidden and you keep enough length for the top.
4
Go into the branches
Run the wire towards the trunk, then back out to the tip of the branch. That back and forth is what creates depth.
One round about every 15 cm is enough.
5
Step back and adjust
Look at the tree from three metres away with the room lights off. Fill any dark patches, then adjust the brightness.
6
Finish with the decorations
Add the shiny cotton balls around the outside, then your decorations. Keep the biggest ones towards the bottom.
More ideas in our Christmas decorating article.
Remote and timer: no more crawling under the tree
The socket is often behind the tree. Remote-controlled lights save you crawling under the branches every evening.
50 mremote range, even through walls
2 hnight-light timer, then automatic switch-off
50,000 hstated LED lifespan
3 yearswarranty, worldwide
5 Christmas tree mistakes to avoid
- Putting the baubles on first: the lights always go on first.
- Staying on the surface: a wire on the outside only makes the tree look flat. Take it in towards the trunk.
- Buying too short: check the length with the chart above, not by eye.
- Forgetting the socket: place the tree near a socket to limit visible extension leads.
- Taking indoor lights outside: for a tree in the garden, choose solar lights made for outdoor use.
Christmas tree lights: your questions
What length of lights for a 5 ft (1.50 m) tree?
Allow 20 m of mini LED (200 LEDs), or one set of 32 cotton balls. For a more discreet effect, 10 m of mini LED can be enough.
What length of lights for a 6 ft (1.80 m) tree?
Allow 20 m of mini LED (200 LEDs), or two sets of 32 cotton balls.
How many sets of lights for a 7 ft tree or taller?
For 2.10 m (7 ft), allow 30 m of mini LED: one 20 m set and one 10 m set. For 2.40 m (8 ft), two 20 m sets. With cotton balls, allow at least three sets of 32 balls.
What goes on a Christmas tree first?
The lights go on before any decorations. If you're combining both models, fit the mini LED first, then the cotton balls.
Mini LED or cotton balls: which should I choose?
Mini LED makes the whole tree sparkle with a very discreet wire. Cotton balls stand out more and decorate the tree. The two go very well together.
How much electricity do Christmas tree lights use?
A set of 32 cotton balls uses 3.2 W. Lit for 6 hours a day for a month, that comes to about 0.6 kWh.
Should I leave the lights on overnight?
It's best to switch them off when you leave the room for the night. The 2-hour night-light timer turns them off automatically after you go to bed.
Can I use these lights on an outdoor tree?
No: mini LED lights and Radiance cotton balls are made for indoor use. For a tree in the garden, choose solar lights designed for outdoor use.
Which cotton ball lights suit a Christmas tree?
Shiny balls in gold, champagne, silver or bronze are the most festive. They come in sets of 16, 24 or 32 balls, and you can also create a set in your own colours.
Can I put a candle near the Christmas tree?
Avoid a real flame near the branches. A real wax LED candle gives the look of a flame without any fire. Just keep it away from heat sources, because the wax can melt.
Your tree deserves beautiful light
Mini LED or cotton balls, classic or remote-controlled: see the full selection for the tree and the home.