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G40 Christmas lights are round globe bulbs about 1.5 inches in diameter — the classic "cafe," "bistro," or "patio" string-light look. The G stands for globe and the 40 is the bulb's diameter in eighths of an inch, so 40/8 inch, roughly 1.5 inches across. These warm, evenly spaced globes are used for Christmas displays and, just as often, for year-round outdoor ambiance on decks, patios, and pergolas.
What "G40" means
Like the C-family strawberry codes, the G40 name is a size and shape spec. The letter G tells you the bulb is a round globe, and the number is its maximum diameter measured in eighths of an inch — 40 eighths equals 5, divided appropriately gives about 1.5 inches across. So a G40 bulb is a proper sphere roughly the size of a golf ball, larger and rounder than a C9 strawberry bulb. Because the code describes only the glass or plastic globe, a G40 can be warm-white LED, cool-white LED, incandescent, or multicolor.
The cafe and patio string-lights look
G40 is the bulb most people picture when they think of "cafe lights" or "bistro lights" — big round globes hung in swags over a patio, deck, or backyard. The bulbs are widely spaced on heavier-duty wire, often 12 to 18 inches apart, which spreads a soft, ambient glow rather than a dense sparkle. That is why G40 string lights do double duty. They look festive at Christmas, and they stay up for summer dinners and weddings. Many sets are sold specifically as outdoor patio strings with a thicker cord and weather-resistant sockets, so a single swag can span a whole pergola or deck rail.
G40 bulb sizes compared
Globe bulbs come in a family of sizes, and the number always means diameter in eighths of an inch.
| Globe bulb | Diameter | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| G30 / G12 | ~0.5–1.5 in | Small globe accents, trees |
| G40 | ~1.5 in (golf-ball size) | Cafe / patio strings, Christmas swags |
| G50 | ~1.9 in | Bold globe strings, bigger statement |
If you want the globe look but a different scale, G50 is the bigger sibling and smaller G-codes give subtler accents. For how globes fit alongside strawberry and mini bulbs, read Christmas light bulb sizes explained.
LED or incandescent G40 bulbs?
As with other Christmas bulbs, the technology decides how the set behaves. Incandescent G40 globes give the warmest, most vintage Edison-style glow and are inexpensive, but they run hot — a real consideration on a big round bulb you might brush against — and they draw more power, limiting how many strands you can chain. LED G40 bulbs stay cool, use a fraction of the electricity, last far longer, and are frequently made of shatterproof plastic, which is safer overhead on a patio. Many G40 strings use a screw-in E12 base, and some larger sets step up to an E17 intermediate base like a C9. Either way, a screw base lets you replace a single bulb or even swap between LED and incandescent looks on the same cord. Our guides on LED Christmas lights and incandescent Christmas lights cover the trade-offs.
Where G40 globe Christmas lights work best
G40 globe string lights are ideal wherever you want ambient, decorative overhead light: a patio, deck, pergola, gazebo, backyard dining area, or covered porch, plus Christmas swags along a fence or roofline. Their wide spacing and soft glow make them better for atmosphere than for sharp, defined roofline outlining, which is where big C9 bulbs still win. Because so many G40 sets are outdoor-rated and shatterproof, they hold up well to a full season outside. Just confirm the box says outdoor or indoor/outdoor, keep a deck or pergola swag off wet ground at the connectors, and plug outdoor runs into a GFCI outlet.
Warm white vs colored G40 globes
The most popular G40 look is warm white or clear, around 2700K, which gives that golden cafe glow. Cool-white globes read crisper and more modern, and multicolor G40 sets bring a playful, carnival feel. Warm white is the safe default for both Christmas and year-round patio use; if you are choosing a palette, see how to choose Christmas light color and the best warm white Christmas lights roundup.
Are G40 Christmas lights worth it?
If you want warm, decorative, cafe-style light that works at Christmas and stays up for the rest of the year, G40 globes are one of the most versatile choices you can buy — especially in shatterproof warm-white LED. For dense, defined roofline outlining they are the wrong tool, but for patio ambiance and festive swags, the big round globes are hard to beat.
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