Garden lighting calculator
Path lights are spaced evenly along a route, with one at each end. The calculator counts the lights and adds a reserve to the cable length.
Your measurements
Result
- Lights needed
- 8 pcs
- Cable needed (incl. reserve)
- 27.5 m
Outdoor lights need at least IP44 (IP65–IP67 near or in the ground) and the circuit needs residual-current protection.
How the calculation works
- Lights = route length ÷ spacing, rounded up, plus one at the end.
- Cable (m) = route length + 10% for detours and connections.
Worked example
For a 25 m path with bollards every 4 m: 25 ÷ 4 = 6.25, rounded up to 7 gaps, so 8 lights and about 27.5 m of cable.
What the calculator assumes
- 3–5 m spacing suits ordinary path bollards; recessed ground spots are placed closer.
- The calculation assumes one route fed from one end.
When to adjust the result
- The cable from the consumer unit to the start of the route is added separately.
- Outdoor lights need at least IP44 (IP65–IP67 for low or in-ground fittings) and the circuit needs residual-current protection.
- Buried cable goes in a protective duct at the depth required locally, with warning tape above. Electrical work must be designed, carried out and tested by a qualified electrician under local rules.
Lighting a garden without overdoing it
Light the paths, steps and entrances first for safety, then add a few accents — a tree, a wall, a planted bed. Warm white (2,700–3,000 K) looks natural outdoors. Shielded fittings pointing down reduce glare and light spill towards neighbours and the sky.
Plan cable routes before paving and planting, and use outdoor-rated cable, connectors and fittings with a suitable IP rating. Low-voltage 12 V systems are safer to install yourself; mains-voltage outdoor circuits must be protected by an RCD and, in many countries, installed or checked by a qualified electrician.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should path lights be?
Typically 3–5 m for bollards, depending on their light spread and the brightness you want.
Which IP rating for garden lights?
At least IP44 for wall and post lights, IP65–IP67 for lights near or in the ground.
Solar or wired garden lights?
Solar lights are easy to place but give weak, short-lived light in winter. Wired lights are brighter and reliable year-round but need cable routes planned in advance.
What IP rating for outdoor lights?
IP44 is a common minimum for fittings sheltered from direct rain; IP65 or higher for exposed positions, and IP67/68 for in-ground or underwater lights.