Landscape Lighting Calculator | LandscapeCalculating.com

Landscape Lighting CalculatorEstimate low-voltage landscape lighting fixtures, transformer wattage, wire run length and voltage drop for path, accent and wash lighting.Free landscape lighting calculator with formulas, waste factors, cost estimates and professional guidance.Formula: transformer VA = (Σ fixture watts) × 1.2; voltage drop ≈ (2 × volts × watts × run) ÷ (circular mils)How to use this calculator

Count fixtures by type — path, accent uplight and wall-wash — and enter the wattage for each.

The transformer is sized to 120% of connected load and rounded up to the next common rating.

Enter the wire run to the farthest fixture to check voltage drop and cable gauge.

Frequently asked questions

How do I size a landscape lighting transformer?

Add up the wattage of every fixture, then multiply by 1.2 for a 20% safety margin. Round up to the next standard transformer size — never load a transformer above 80%.

How many landscape lights do I need?

Plan path lights every 6–10 ft along walks, one accent uplight per focal tree or architectural feature, and wall-wash fixtures every 6–8 ft of facade.

What size wire do I need for low-voltage landscape lighting?

Use 12 AWG for most runs under 100 ft; step up to 10 AWG or a multi-tap transformer when voltage drop exceeds 1.5 V on long runs.

How much does landscape lighting cost to install?

Installed landscape lighting typically runs $90–$200 per fixture including transformer and cable; this calculator totals fixtures, transformer and cable for a full budget.

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