How many ornaments do you need for your tree?
A good starting range is 10 to 20 ornaments per foot of tree height, so a 7 foot tree takes about 70 to 140. Published advice varies a lot, so use this range as a guide and not a rule.
Quick chart
| Tree height | Simple, 10 per foot | Full, 15 per foot | Lush, 20 per foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 40 | 60 | 80 |
| 5 ft | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| 6 ft | 60 | 90 | 120 |
| 6.5 ft | 65 | 98 | 130 |
| 7 ft | 70 | 105 | 140 |
| 7.5 ft | 75 | 113 | 150 |
| 8 ft | 80 | 120 | 160 |
| 9 ft | 90 | 135 | 180 |
How this works
If your tree stands against a wall, the back third can go without, so the calculator takes off about a third. Your tree will show the front and sides anyway.
Count what you own before you buy. Mixed sizes look better than one size: put big ones deep toward the trunk and small ones near the tips, so the tree has depth.
Store small ones in the printable Retro Paper Ornament Box
Questions
- How many ornaments for a 7 foot tree?
- About 70 for a simple look, about 105 for a full one and about 140 for a lush one.
- Do I need ornaments on the back of the tree?
- Not if it stands against a wall. Lights and a few filler balls are enough there.
- Why do websites give different numbers?
- Because there is no standard. It depends on ornament size, how full the tree is and your taste.
More calculators
By Home with June. June is a fictional host. These are rules of thumb and simple arithmetic to help you plan, so adjust by eye.