5 m vs 10 m LED Strip: Which Length Is Right for Your Project?

Are you unsure whether a 5 m strip will light your entire cabinet or if you need a full 10 m run? This guide breaks down what those length labels mean, shows how power draw and voltage drop differ, and helps you choose the perfect strip length for any application.

What Does “5 m” or “10 m” Mean for LED Strips?

The “5 m” or “10 m” label refers to the total length of LED strip on the reel or spool. A 5 m strip contains six 1 m segments of LEDs joined by soldered copper pads, while a 10 m strip doubles that length. You can cut at the marked cut-lines every 5 cm or meter, but you cannot extend beyond the rated length without power injection or risking voltage drop.

Is a 5 m LED strip enough for under-cabinet lighting? A standard 5 m strip will usually cover a single run under kitchen cabinets. If your run is longer, consider a 10 m strip or multiple shorter strips powered in parallel to maintain brightness.

Power Consumption of 5 m vs 10 m Strips

LED strips typically draw 14.4 W per meter at 12 V (for 60 LEDs/m density). That translates to:

How much power does a 10 m LED strip use?
A 10 m strip at 14.4 W/m draws approximately 144 W, so you’ll need at least a 200 W 12 V power supply to maintain safe headroom and prevent voltage sag.

How Length Affects Voltage Drop & Brightness

As LED strip length increases, voltage drop becomes more pronounced, causing LEDs at the far end to appear dimmer. Voltage drop (∆V) is calculated as:
∆V = I × R × L

• I = current draw (A)
• R = copper trace resistance per metre (Ω/m, approx. 0.02 Ω/m)
• L = strip length (m)

Worked example:

• 5 m run: I = 5 m × 1.2 A/m = 6 A → ∆V = 6 A × 0.02 Ω/m × 5 m = 0.6 V (5 % of 12 V)
• 10 m run: I = 10 m × 1.2 A/m = 12 A → ∆V = 12 A × 0.02 Ω/m × 10 m = 2.4 V (20 % of 12 V)

Graph showing voltage drop rising from 0.6 V at 5 m to 2.4 V at 10 m for a typical LED strip current.

How to Power Longer Runs Without Dimming

To maintain even brightness on LED-strip runs exceeding 5 m, it’s essential to inject power at regular intervals and use appropriate wiring techniques:

• Power Injection Every 5 m: Feed 12 V from your power supply into the strip at the start and again at the 5 m mark (or midpoint for longer runs) to counteract voltage drop.
• Parallel Power Feeds: For especially long runs (10 m+), consider splitting your strip into two or more shorter segments wired in parallel to the same supply.
• Thicker-Gauge Wire: Use at least 16 AWG for runs up to 10 m; upgrade to 14 AWG or 12 AWG for higher-current applications to reduce line resistance.

How to power LED strips greater than 5 m?

Always inject 12 V power into the strip at least every 5 m using dedicated feed wires back to the PSU. If you can’t physically access midpoints, split the strip into parallel 5 m segments each powered directly to ensure stable voltage and brightness.

When to Choose 5 m vs 10 m LED Strips

• Under-cabinet & Accent Runs (≤ 5 m): A 5 m reel usually covers a typical kitchen run or bookshelf accent without mid-run power injection. Use for simple installations where one power feed suffices.
• Long Continuous Runs (5–10 m): If your run exceeds 5 m but stays under 10 m, opt for a 10 m strip with two injection points to maintain uniform brightness. Ideal for cove lighting, room perimeter accents, or outdoor soffits.
• Modular Installations: For complex layouts, split into multiple 5 m segments wired in parallel to your supply for easier power management and fault isolation.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Choosing between a 5 m and 10 m LED strip hinges on your run length, power-injection access, and desired brightness consistency. Use a LED Voltage-Drop Calculator to verify voltage sag, and follow our LED Power-Injection Guide for wiring best practices. For technical standards, consult the DOE Solid-State Lighting Fact Sheet 2024 and the IEC Voltage-Drop Standard PDF.

Key takeaway: Match strip length to your layout and power-injection plan—5 m for short, single-feed runs; 10 m with multiple injection points or parallel segments for longer spans.