Christmas Tree Size Chart
Measure from the floor to the ceiling and subtract 18 inches for a tree with a topper: an 8 foot ceiling fits a 6.5 foot tree. Without a topper, subtract 9 inches and an 8 foot ceiling fits a 7 foot tree.
Ceiling height to tree height
| Ceiling | Tallest tree with topper | Tallest tree without topper | Width range, slim to full |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 ft | 6 ft | 6.5 ft | 2.4 to 4.2 ft |
| 8 ft | 6.5 ft | 7 ft | 2.6 to 4.6 ft |
| 9 ft | 7.5 ft | 8 ft | 3 to 5.3 ft |
| 10 ft | 8.5 ft | 9 ft | 3.4 to 5.9 ft |
| 12 ft | 10.5 ft | 11 ft | 4.2 to 7.4 ft |
| 14 ft | 12.5 ft | 13 ft | 5 to 8.8 ft |
The 18 inches covers a topper of about a foot, the tree stand and a little air so the tip does not touch the ceiling. A cathedral or sloped ceiling gives you more room at the peak, but measure where the tree will actually stand.
Tree height to width and lights
| Tree height | Slim | Standard | Full | Ceiling needed with topper | Lights, medium look |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 ft | 22 to 27 in | 27 to 32 in | 32 to 38 in | 6 ft | 450 |
| 5 ft | 24 to 30 in | 30 to 36 in | 36 to 42 in | 6.5 ft | 500 |
| 6 ft | 29 to 36 in | 36 to 43 in | 43 to 50 in | 7.5 ft | 600 |
| 6.5 ft | 31 to 39 in | 39 to 47 in | 47 to 55 in | 8 ft | 650 |
| 7 ft | 34 to 42 in | 42 to 50 in | 50 to 59 in | 8.5 ft | 700 |
| 7.5 ft | 36 to 45 in | 45 to 54 in | 54 to 63 in | 9 ft | 750 |
| 9 ft | 43 to 54 in | 54 to 65 in | 65 to 76 in | 10.5 ft | 900 |
| 10 ft | 48 to 60 in | 60 to 72 in | 72 to 84 in | 11.5 ft | 1,000 |
| 12 ft | 58 to 72 in | 72 to 86 in | 86 to 101 in | 13.5 ft | 1,200 |
Tree makers use different shapes, so two 7.5 foot trees can differ by a foot in width. Check the width on the label as well as the height.
Fitting the tree to the room
- Leave about 12 inches between the widest branches and the wall or furniture, and keep the tree away from heaters and fireplaces.
- A tree in a corner can be wider than one in the middle of the room, because you only see one side.
- Put the tree on a table or stand and you lose that height. Subtract it too.
Once you have a tree, the tree light calculator tells you how many lights to buy.
Questions
What size Christmas tree for an 8 foot ceiling?
A 6.5 foot tree if you use a topper, or 7 feet without one.
What size tree for a 9 foot ceiling?
A 7.5 foot tree with a topper, or 8 feet without.
How wide is a 7.5 foot Christmas tree?
About 36 to 63 inches, depending on whether it is slim, standard or full. A standard one is about 45 to 54 inches.
Should I buy a taller tree than my ceiling allows?
No. A tree that touches the ceiling bends the top, lights up the ceiling instead of the tree and can be a fire risk near warm bulbs.
How many lights does a tree need?
About 100 per foot of height for a medium look. The last column of the second table shows each size.