How long should your string lights be?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and it is also one of the most important to get right from the beginning. String lights that are too short often feel disappointing, while a string that is too long can be unnecessarily difficult to place neatly.

That is why we always recommend starting by looking at where the string lights will go and how you want them to be installed. That is what determines the length more than anything else.

Start by measuring the area

The first step is simply to measure the distance where the string lights will be placed.

That could, for example, be:

along a railing
around a pergola
over a patio
between two posts
along a wall or façade
over a long table or courtyard

It is always best to measure the real distance first instead of guessing. That makes it much easier to choose the right length straight away.

Always add a little extra margin

Once you have measured the actual distance, we usually recommend adding a little extra margin. That is because string lights rarely run completely straight in real life. You may need a bit of extra length for the connection, for a neater installation or to make the bulbs sit better in relation to the area.

It is smart to have a little extra room rather than buying to the exact centimetre.

Think about how the string lights will be installed

The same area can require different string light lengths depending on how you want to install them.

For example:

If they are going to run straight along a wall or pergola, it is often enough to work from the actual length plus a little margin.
If they are going to hang in an arc between two points, you often need a bit more length.
If they are going to run in a zigzag pattern across a pergola or patio, you will need considerably more than you first think.

That is why we think it is a good idea to think through the installation before making a decision.

Common examples

For a smaller pergola
For a smaller pergola, a shorter or medium-length string light set is often enough, depending on whether you want to follow the outer frame or run it across the roof in several sections.

For a deck or patio
If the string lights are going to follow a railing, wall or roof edge, it is often enough to measure the visible distance and add a little extra. If they are instead going to hang across the area between fixing points, you may need more.

For long tables or weddings
Here it is common to underestimate the length. If the strings are going to run over several tables, between posts or across a larger area, you often need more than you first think.

For a garden or courtyard
With freer hanging between trees, posts or buildings, it is especially important to measure carefully and think about whether the string should hang straight or in a soft curve.

One long string or several shorter ones?

That depends on what the area looks like. We often think a longer string is practical when you want a clean and continuous look across a larger distance. But in some environments, several shorter string lights can be a smarter choice, especially if you want to divide the lighting or create several sections. We also have several accessories if you need to run the string lights in different sections, such as a splitter if you need to lead the strings in different directions.

The most important thing is not really to choose the longest possible option, but to choose the one that suits the actual area best.

If you are unsure, it is better to choose slightly too long than slightly too short

If you are choosing between two lengths, we often think it is better to have a little margin than to risk the string not reaching where you intended it to go. It is almost always easier to deal with a little extra length than to end up with string lights that are too short.

See our string lights in different lengths