LED Strip Driver Calculator

⚡ Enter Your Strip Details

Voltage — Check your strip packaging or product spec

Strip Wattage — Watts per metre (W/m), on the strip's label

Custom Wattage (W/m) — from your strip's datasheet

Total Strip Length — in metres (all strips combined)

Number of Separate Runs — how many individual strips on this driver

Dimming Required?

Dimmer / Control Protocol — what are you using to dim?

Installation Location

✅ Your Recommended Driver

Recommended Driver Size

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Total Strip Load

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With 20% Safety Buffer

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Output Voltage

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Driver Type

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Strip Load per Metre

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Minimum IP Rating

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📋 Quick Reference

⚠️ Max Run Lengths (to avoid voltage drop)

12V strip: max 5m per run
24V strip: max 10m per run
48V strip: max 20m per run

W/m	Typical Use	Output
2.4	Accent / cove	Low
4.8	General ambient	Medium
7.2	Feature / kitchen	Med-High
9.6	Task / retail	High
14.4	Commercial	Very High
19.2	Industrial	Ultra

💡 Pro Tip

Always size your driver to at least 120% of the total strip load. A driver running at 80% capacity runs cooler, generates less heat, and lasts significantly longer — often 2–3× the lifespan of a driver running at full load.

📖 Understanding LED Strip Drivers

Constant Voltage (CV) Drivers

LED strips require a constant voltage (CV) driver — not a constant current driver. Make sure the driver output voltage exactly matches your strip: 12V, 24V, or 48V. Mismatching will damage your strip.

Why the 20% Buffer?

LED strips draw slightly more current when cold, and power supplies degrade over time. A 20% headroom keeps your driver in its efficient zone — reducing heat and extending lifespan by years.

Dimmable Drivers

Your driver AND controller must use the same dimming protocol. Common types: Triac (wall dimmers), 0–10V (commercial BMS), DALI (smart buildings), PWM (LED strip controllers). Mixing incompatible types causes flicker.

Voltage Drop on Long Runs

Low-voltage strips can suffer voltage drop on long runs — the light gets dimmer toward the far end. Fix: use 24V or 48V strips, power from both ends, or split into multiple shorter runs each with their own driver.