CalcaTools

Christmas Tree Garland Calculator

The Christmas Tree Garland calculator works out how many feet (and metres) of garland or tinsel you need to wrap your tree, based on its height and how densely you want it draped.

Last updated: June 2026 · Free · No sign-up required

ft
ft/ft

Feet of garland per foot of tree: 6 light, 9 standard, 12 dense.

Results

Enter values above and click Calculate to see your result instantly.

Quick reference

Tree heightLight (6 ft/ft)Standard (9)Lush (12)
6 ft36 ft54 ft72 ft
7 ft42 ft63 ft84 ft
9 ft54 ft81 ft108 ft

grass Any style

Choose a light, standard or dense wrap and the tool adjusts the length accordingly.

straighten Feet and metres

Gives the length in both units so it matches whatever the garland is sold in.

park No more guessing

Buy the right amount of garland for a fully wrapped tree in one trip.

Interpretation guide

DensityEffect
6 ft per ft of treeLight spiral, minimalist drape
9 ft per ftClassic wrapped look (default)
12 ft per ftDense, luxurious layering

Formula & methodology

Formula: Garland length = tree height (ft) × density (ft of garland per ft of tree)

  1. Enter your tree’s height in feet.
  2. Choose a drape density — 9 ft of garland per foot of tree is the florist standard for a wrapped look.
  3. The result converts to metres and rounds to buyable lengths.

Worked example: a 7 ft tree at standard density needs 63 ft (19.2 m) of garland — seven 9-ft strands; go 12 ft/ft (84 ft) for a dense designer drape.

Authoritative source: Garland — Wikipedia

Frequently asked questions

How much garland for a 7-foot tree?
About 63 ft for the classic wrapped look (9 ft per foot of tree), 42 ft for a light spiral, 84 ft for a lush layered effect. Beaded garlands sit flatter, so size them at the lighter end.
How do I drape garland properly?
Start at the top, spiral with a slight swag between "tucks", and step back every full loop. Deep swags eat ~30% more length — that’s what the lush density covers.
Does garland length include mantels and stairs?
No — this sizes the tree only. For banisters, measure the rail and add 2 ft per post wrap; mantels look best with 1.5× the shelf length for swag.
Ribbon instead of garland — same math?
Ribbon cascades vertically as well as spiralling, so plan ~10 yd (30 ft) per 2 ft of tree height for full ribboning — noticeably more than strand garland.
How many strands should I buy?
Most boxed garlands are 6 or 9 ft. Divide the calculator’s total by your strand length and round up — joins hide easily inside the foliage.