How to Choose Rice Lights: LED Count, Length and Colour Explained

Rice light listings can look confusing: 14 LED, 36 LED, 42 LED, 3 m, 10 m, 12 m, blossom, bulb, crystal. This guide explains what each of those numbers means, so you can buy the right string the first time.

Step 1: Measure the space first

Measure the place you want to light with a tape: the balcony railing, the door frame or the wall. Then add extra for:

• the distance from the end of the run to the nearest socket;
• any loops, spirals or drops you plan to make;
• about half a metre to tie the string neatly at each end.

As a rough guide, a door frame needs about 5 to 6 m, a standard balcony railing needs 8 to 12 m, and a small mandir or a glass jar needs only 2 to 3 m.

Step 2: Understand the length

The length in the listing is the length of the lit part of the cable. Our strings come in a few common sizes:

• 3 m: for jars, shelves, mirrors, the mandir and small corners;
• 8 to 10 m: for windows, small balconies and staircases;
• 11 to 12 m: for long balcony railings, terraces, gates and shop fronts.

If you are not sure, buy the longer string. Extra length can be looped or bunched; a short string cannot be stretched.

Step 3: Understand the LED count

The LED count tells you how many bulbs are on the string. What matters is how close together they are. Divide the length by the LED count to see the gap between bulbs:

• 36 LEDs on 12 m: one LED about every 33 cm, a light, dotted look for long outlines;
• 42 LEDs on 12 m: one LED about every 29 cm, a little fuller;
• 14 LEDs on 3 m: one LED about every 21 cm, closer together, good for small displays.

For a denser look on a long railing, you can also run two strings side by side.

Step 4: Choose a bulb style

The style of the bulb changes the look more than anything else.

• Mini LED string lights: small, simple bulbs. The classic Diwali outline.
• Bulb string lights: bigger, round bulbs that look bold from a distance.
• Blossom flower lights: each LED sits in a clear flower cap, which softens the light. Lovely for the mandir and for weddings.
• Crystal ball and maple leaf fairy lights: short decorative strings that look best up close, in jars, on shelves or around mirrors.

Step 5: Pick the colour

• Warm yellow: the traditional choice for Diwali; it looks like diya light and suits most homes.
• Cool white: clean and modern; suits white walls, offices and shop fronts.
• Multicolour: playful and bright; children love it.
• Single colours (blue, pink, red, green): for theme parties, weddings and mixing with warm yellow. Red and warm yellow together look very festive.

Step 6: Indoor or outdoor?

Before you hang lights on an open balcony or terrace, check the product listing on Flipkart for how it can be used. Wherever you use them, keep plugs, connectors and adapters under cover and away from rain, dew and puddles.

Quick checklist

• Measured the space, plus extra for the socket?
• Chosen a length that is longer than the measurement?
• Picked a bulb style that suits how far away people will see it?
• Picked a colour that suits your walls?

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