What's the difference between C7 and C9 light bulbs?

Light.

This subject of poets and artists is also an essential element of any Christmas and holiday décor idea. Knowing the differences between your bulbs can be incredibly useful. And while it can all feel a bit technical at times, choosing the right bulb doesn’t need to be a frustrating affair. That’s why we’ve prepared a few helpful tips for choosing two of the most popular bulbs out there to help your holiday lighting shine – the popular and versatile C9 and C7 Christmas lights. 

The first question our customers usually ask is:

The short answer, no. But it can be hard to tell based on images alone.

Here are the basics:

• E12 / Candelabra base
• 1.5" height and 1" width
• Used to decorate small Christmas trees and large wreaths
• Best suited for holiday décor that will be seen up close
• Great for pairing with vintage Christmas decorations

• E17 / Candelabra base
• 2.5" height and 1.25" width
• Used to decorate large Christmas trees and commercial buildings
• Best suited for extra large outdoor décor 
• Great for pairing with vintage Christmas decorations 

C9 lights are one inch bigger than C7 lights. This may not seem like a big deal, but this makes all the difference when viewed from far away. The picture below shows just how different C7 and C9 light bulbs look when placed on a building.

Shop our faceted C7 light bulbs and faceted C9 light bulbs. 

Still wondering, 'Should I use C7 or C9 bulbs?'

At the end of the day, both C7 and C9 Christmas lights are going to look great on your property and commercial holiday decorations. The best way to decide if you should use C7s or C9s is the size of your display and how far away your guests will be viewing them. C7 light bulbs are best for small and up-close holiday decorations. C9 bulbs are bigger so they're better for large Christmas décor, perimeter lighting, and decorations that will be seen from far away.