Dear Ray
How far apart should path lights be?
Dear Ray, I am lighting a curved front walk. Is there a standard distance I should keep between path lights so it looks even but not crowded?
— Trying not to make a runway
Dear Trying,
There is a useful starting range, but no single perfect number. Most path-light layouts begin around 8 to 12 feet apart, then adjust for fixture output, planting, curves, and how dark the walk is between pools of light.
Set a few fixtures out before you commit to the cable route. After dusk, look for overlapping pools that create a steady walking rhythm without turning the path into a runway. A curved walk often needs a light near a turn or change in elevation even if that breaks the measuring-tape pattern. The path-light spacing guide shows how to test the layout in the real yard.
Think about what the light is doing. Near an entry, steps, or a grade change, closer spacing may be useful. Along a calm, straight garden walk, a little more room can feel more natural. Keep fixtures just outside the walking line so they mark the route without becoming obstacles for feet, mowers, or enthusiastic delivery drivers.
You are aiming for confidence, not a dotted line visible from space. Try the layout for a night, then move a fixture or two before burying anything. That small test is usually more revealing than a perfect diagram.
— Ray
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