How long should outdoor string lights be for a patio?

Reviewers and r/Lighting threads suggest mapping your run before buying. A 48-50ft strand covers a typical small-to-medium patio with room to swag, while 96-200ft strands are aimed at large yards, perimeters, or wrapping trees. Most picks here are linkable, so buying a length close to your measurement and connecting more later is safer than over-buying one massive strand.