Most replacement lamp cords with switches I found were 6 feet long. It wouldn't be enough for my needs so 8ft is perfect. Keep in mind how far the switch will be from your lamp (see product description for dimensions). For my lamp, the switch has the ideal distance to the base. The wire fits easily into the 3/16 inch diameter hole/tube in the center of the lamp. Wire ends are pre-stripped and soldered for easy rewiring.