Garland length
Turn stair runs, mantel widths, and door openings into garland feet using a drape / swag factor.
garland_feet = measured_feet × drape_factor · optional extras for bows or overlaps
When to use
Use this page when you need a transparent garland length estimate before you buy décor or hang lights in Prince William County. You will enter stair / banister run (feet), mantel width (feet), door / arch opening perimeter or width (feet), and drape factor.
Turn stair runs, mantel widths, and door openings into garland feet using a drape / swag factor. Read the formula and worked example so the number is arithmetic you can check — not a guess from last year.
If a product package publishes its own coverage chart, keep that chart in the loop — this tool is the independent check.
Measure banisters, mantel fronts, and door perimeters as separate runs, then sum — mixing them into one guess is the usual reason garland ends short on one side of the porch.
Add drape only where you want swags; a tight wrap along a rail needs less length than a deep scallop every spindle.
For a door outline, sum the sides you will dress; for a single swag, enter the opening width.
1.0 = taut; 1.5 = gentle swags; 2.0 = deep drapes.
Worked example
Start with the calculator’s default entries: Stair / banister run (feet) = 12; Mantel width (feet) = 6; Door / arch opening perimeter or width (feet) = 8; Drape factor = 1.5; Extra feet (bows, overlaps) = 2.
With those entries the calculator returns:
Measured total: 26.0 ft
After drape ×1.50: 39.0 ft
Garland to buy: 41.0 ft
Formula used: garland_feet = measured_feet × drape_factor · optional extras for bows or overlaps
Recompute the first line by hand from the formula. If your arithmetic and the result differ by more than rounding, the usual cause is a unit mix-up (inches vs feet, percent vs decimal) rather than the formula.
What changes if you change one input? Raise Stair / banister run (feet) from 12 to 18 and leave everything else alone. The result becomes:
Measured total: 32.0 ft
After drape ×1.50: 48.0 ft
Garland to buy: 50.0 ft
Changing one measured value at a time like this shows which input drives the answer, so you know which value is worth measuring twice before you buy.
Limits / assumptions
Assumptions: inputs match the hints (measured eaves, nameplate watts, package strand length, and so on). Terms not named in the formula are not secretly included.
Limits: outdoor weather, GFCI trips, and real stock sizes vary. Prefer outdoor-rated cords and clips; ladder and roof work need their own safety practices.
Responsibility: confirm safety-critical electrical and height decisions with manuals and, when needed, a qualified professional. PWC Lights does not stamp displays.
FAQ
What drape factor should I pick?
Start around 1.4–1.6 for classic swags. Go closer to 1.0 for a tight wrap or 2.0 for dramatic loops.
How do I measure stairs?
Measure along the banister path (handrail length), not just floor distance.
Can I mix sections?
Yes — enter each area, then buy one total length or cut multiple shorter garlands.
Does this include lights on garland?
Length only. Use strand or outlet tools if you add lighted garland.