C6, C7, and C9 Christmas Lights: What's the Difference?

When shopping for your holiday display, you may hear experts discussing c6, c7, and c9 Christmas lights. You may wonder what these numbers mean, and do I need to be concerned? Well, we’ll give you a quick hint- these number/letter combinations refer to the bulb shape and size, impacting how they look in your display and emit light.

With so much riding on bulb size, it’s essential to understand the C6, C7, C9 difference. This article will provide an explanation and help you determine which is right for your Christmas display.

This section will explore the Christmas light differences between the C6, C7, and C9 bulbs regarding shape and size, brightness, power usage, lifespan, durability, cost and energy savings, and best applications. 

• C6: C6 Christmas lights are the smallest of the three, measuring about ¾” in diameter and 1 ⅛” in height. They tend to have a thin, pointed shape like icicle lights, but some are more rounded.
• C7 Christmas lights: C7 lights are larger than C6 lights, measuring about 1” in diameter and 1.5” in height. They are similar in shape to C6 lights.
• C9 Christmas Lights: C9 lights are the largest of the three, with a diameter of about 1 ¼” and a height of 2.5”. They are teardrop-shaped.

• C6: When it comes to the brightness of Christmas lights, C6 lights are small and therefore, not as powerful as other lights. They produce around 20-40 lumens per bulb. Although they don’t create such a dramatic effect as other lights, they make up for it in energy usage.
• C7: C7s are larger and brighter than their C6 counterparts and use more energy. They produce 40-80 lumens.
• C9: C9s account for the most power consumption of Christmas lights. They are the biggest and brightest of the bunch, outputting 80-120 lumens. 

• C6: C6’s small size makes it the ideal illumination source for small decorations like wreaths and garlands. It can also accent larger lights.
• C7: C7 bulbs are versatile and can be used for various applications. They can decorate trees and buildings and serve as rope lights around perimeters.
• C9: C9s are ideal when you want dramatic, oversized effects. They look terrific on large-scale trees and structures. 

The durability and lifespan of LED Christmas lights do not depend much on their C type. These factors are more contingent on whether they are LED vs. incandescent Christmas lights. The lifespan of incandescent light bulbs is about 1000 to 1200 hours, compared to LED, which can last for 50,000 hours or more.

LEDs are also more durable than incandescent bulbs because they feature a solid-state structure that lacks filaments and glass, allowing them to withstand vibrations and extreme temperatures.

Some information on the internet suggests C9s may be the most durable due to their larger size, and C7s have longer lifespans because they are more likely to be LED. However, considering the conflicting information, it is difficult to discern if this is true.

When considering the cost of Christmas lights, C6s are the smallest of the three bulbs and, therefore, the cheapest. They also use less energy, possibly resulting in energy savings. C7 is the second most affordable and energy-efficient bulb, followed by C9.

However, if you are setting up a large-scale display, you can use fewer large lights rather than several small ones, ultimately saving you money and energy. 

Now that you know the C6, C7, and C9 difference, you may wonder which is best for your display. This section will provide some guidance. 

C6 lights are ideal for lighting small display elements like foliage, wreaths, and small trees. They may also complement larger lights in a holiday display. For example, they can surround a large display producing a starry effect.

These lights may also be ideal in indoor spaces as they produce a warmly lit effect without overilluminating. 

C7 lights’ moderate size makes them ideal for most displays. They will look perfect on mid-sized large trees and when incorporated into outdoor displays. They are also a suitable framing element. For example, they can wrap around columns, frame doors and windows, run along eaves and roof lines, or line yard edges.

C9 lights are perfect for making a statement. They add ornamentation to oversized structures and trees and dazzle in community displays.

Businesses may consider adding C9s to their holiday decorations as they are sure to attract customers. However, you must ensure your display is suited to the larger bulbs. Otherwise, it could come across as obnoxious.

There are several ways to combine C6, C7, and C9 lights. Here are some ideas:

• Create a Symmetrical Display: You may combine all lights to create a symmetrical display. Place large C9 lights in the center of the display, surround them with C7 lights, and place C6 lights around the perimeter.
• Base Lighting on the Size of Your Elements: You may use a combination of lights to decorate various-sized elements. Place the large lights on your trees and structures, and save the small lights for your foliage.
• Color Coordination: Consider purchasing C9 lights in one color, such as red, C7 lights in another color, like green, and C6 lights in a third color, like white. The combination of colors and Christmas light bulb sizes will give your display a vibrant appearance.
• Layering: Place your large lights at the forefront of your display and graduate to smaller lights to create a unique layered effect.

Ensure your lights are appropriately displayed to enhance the visual appeal. 

C6, C7, and C9 lights are all available in LED, which is an ideal choice considering their durability, energy efficiency, and optimal lifespan. However, if you can only choose one in an LED version, choose the C9.

C9s use the most energy, meaning you will save the most with an LED version. Additionally, because the C9s are more expensive than their counterparts, you will get more bang for your buck when buying them as LEDs. 

You may encounter common misconceptions when researching C6, C7, C9 Christmas lights. This section will debunk these myths and guide you in the right direction. 

C9 lights are bright and may not be ideal if you seek a soft interior look. However, they emit 40-60 lumens, while a standard 60-watt LED bulb for home use emits around 800 lumens. If the lights are colored, they will have an even softer appearance.

C6 bulbs are not as big, bright, and powerful as C7 and C9 bulbs, so they may not be seen from a greater distance. However, they are still quite visible from several feet away.

C7 and C9 can last quite a long time, especially if they are LEDs sourced from a reputable provider. They can last 50,000 hours or more. 

Some people prefer incandescent bulbs because their exposed filaments, Edison bulbs, and soft amber glow inspire a sense of nostalgia. However, with updated technology, LED manufacturers have succeeded in creating bulbs that emit a warmer light. Some intentionally mimic the vintage look with features like exposed filaments and vintage styles.

Knowing the C6, C7, C9 difference will help you prepare an optimal display. C6's small size makes it perfect for accents, while large C9 lights make a bold statement. C7s sit somewhere in the middle, offering optimal versatility.

Dekra-Lite offers all three bulb types in our lighting collection. If you are unsure how to integrate each light in your display, we can help you with that too. We provide comprehensive decorating services to ensure your lights look their best.

Contact us when you’re getting ready for the holiday season. 

Due to their large size and brighter illumination, C9s may be the best Christmas lights for outdoor use. However, C7 lights can be ideal in some external settings. Consider the elements you are decorating and your desired aesthetics when choosing which is right for you.

Yes, all three bulb types come in LED versions. LEDs are ideal because they are energy efficient Christmas lights and more durable than incandescent lights, leading to long-term money savings.

You can combine C6, C7, C9 Christmas lights in the same display. Consider combining them for a terrific layered, symmetrical, or color-coordinated look. 

Incandescent C7 and C9 Christmas bulbs use 5 to 7 watts per bulb, while LEDs consume much less power, at .5 to .74 watts per bulb.

In most instances, when hanging Christmas roofline lighting, spacing lights 12-15 inches apart will provide a good balance of density and visibility. However, a distance of 1 9-12 inches will work if you want a denser look. Anything below 9 inches will look too cluttered.