Necklace Length Chart: Where Each Size Sits for Women and Men
For anyone choosing a necklace length online, where you cannot try the chain on. It shows where each standard length falls, why the same chain sits differently on two people, and how to measure your own ideal length.
The most common necklace length is 18 inches (45.7 cm), which sits at the collarbone on most women. A 16 in (40.6 cm) necklace sits at the base of the neck, 20 in (50.8 cm) just below the collarbone and 24 in (61 cm) at the top of the bust. For men, 20 to 22 in (51 to 56 cm) is the usual length.
- Women's standard
- 18 in (45.7 cm)
- Men's standard
- 20-22 in (51-56 cm)
- Choker
- 14-16 in (36-41 cm)
- Layering step
- 2 in (5 cm)
On this page
Necklace length chart
Chain length is measured end to end with the clasp closed. The position column describes a typical adult woman with a neck of about 14 to 15 in at the base; on a larger neck or on a man, every length sits higher.
| Length | cm | Name | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 in | 35.6 | Collar | Tight around the middle of the neck |
| 16 in | 40.6 | Choker | At the base of the neck |
| 18 in | 45.7 | Princess | On the collarbone; the standard length |
| 20 in | 50.8 | Matinee (short) | Just below the collarbone |
| 22 in | 55.9 | Matinee | A few inches below the collarbone |
| 24 in | 61.0 | Matinee (long) | At the top of the bust |
| 30 in | 76.2 | Opera | At or below the bust; can be doubled to about 15 in |
| 36 in | 91.4 | Rope | Below the bust, near the bottom of the ribcage; doubles to 18 in |
| 40 in and up | 102+ | Rope / lariat | Waist level; usually doubled or knotted |
The length names come from pearl strands and are used loosely. Choker is applied to anything from 14 to 16 in, and matinee to anything from 20 to 24 in, so compare lengths in inches or centimeters, not by name.
Why the same necklace sits differently on different people
A chain goes around the back of the neck and hangs in a V in front. Roughly half of the length beyond your neck circumference becomes the drop below the base of the throat:
Drop ≈ (necklace length − neck circumference at the base) ÷ 2
| Necklace | 14.6 in neck (average woman) | 17.1 in neck (average man) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 in | 0.7 in (1.8 cm) | Too short |
| 18 in | 1.7 in (4.3 cm) | 0.4 in (1.1 cm) |
| 20 in | 2.7 in (6.9 cm) | 1.5 in (3.7 cm) |
| 22 in | 3.7 in (9.4 cm) | 2.5 in (6.2 cm) |
| 24 in | 4.7 in (11.9 cm) | 3.5 in (8.8 cm) |
| 30 in | 7.7 in (19.6 cm) | 6.5 in (16.4 cm) |
The neck figures are the average base-of-neck circumferences in the ANSUR II survey of US Army personnel: 371 mm (14.6 in) for women and 435 mm (17.1 in) for men. This is why an 18 in chain that rests on a woman's collarbone fits a man like a choker, and why men's chains start at 20 in. A thick chain or a pendant's weight pulls the V lower than the formula shows.
Men's necklace lengths
| Length | cm | Where it sits on an average man | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 in | 45.7 | Base of the neck, close fitting | Slim necks only; worn as a short chain |
| 20 in | 50.8 | At the collarbone | Chains worn alone; visible with an open collar |
| 22 in | 55.9 | Just below the collarbone | Small pendants, dog tags under a shirt |
| 24 in | 61.0 | Upper chest | Medium and large pendants |
| 26 to 30 in | 66 to 76 | Mid chest to sternum | Large pendants worn over clothing |
For men with a neck size above about 17 in (the shirt collar size is a good proxy), go up one length from the table. Chain width for men is usually 3 to 7 mm; the jewelry chain guide compares widths and styles.
How to find your ideal necklace length
- Use a chain you own. If one sits where you like it, measure it end to end with the clasp closed. That is your length.
- Or drape a string. Put a piece of string around your neck, hold the ends together at the point where you want the chain (or the top of the pendant) to fall, look in a mirror, then lay the string flat and measure it.
- Or measure the neck. Wrap a tape around the base of the neck and add 2 in (5 cm) for a chain at the base of the neck, 4 in (10 cm) for the collarbone, or 6 in (15 cm) for just below it.
- Allow for the pendant. A pendant hangs below the chain by its own height plus the bail. A 30 mm pendant on an 18 in chain reaches about 1.25 in lower than the chain alone. See pendant sizes.
- Pick the nearest standard length, or buy a chain with a 2 in (5 cm) extender to cover two lengths, for example 16 to 18 in.
Matching necklace length to the neckline
The aim is either to sit clear of the neckline or to echo its shape. Lengths assume a woman of average neck size.
| Neckline | Works well | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Crew neck, T-shirt | 16 to 18 in (above the neckline) or 28 in and longer (over the fabric) | 20 to 22 in, which lands on the seam |
| V-neck | Pendant on 18 to 22 in sitting inside the V | Pendants that drop below the point of the V |
| Scoop neck | 16 to 20 in | Opera lengths that compete with the curve |
| Strapless, off-the-shoulder | 14 to 18 in, statement collars | Long ropes that hang over bare skin without a frame |
| Turtleneck, high neck | 28 to 36 in over the fabric | Short chains hidden under the collar |
| Button-up shirt | 16 to 18 in under the collar, or 20 in with the top buttons open | Chunky chains that bunch under a tie |
Earrings and necklace together set the proportion at the face; long drop earrings usually pair best with a short chain or none. See earring sizes.
Layering necklaces: length spacing
Layered necklaces tangle when their lengths are too close. Space them at least 2 in (5 cm) apart so each hangs about 1 in (2.5 cm) below the one above.
- Two layers: 16 + 18 in, or 18 + 20 in.
- Three layers: 16 + 18 + 20 in, with the heaviest pendant on the longest chain to keep the stack in order.
- Four layers: 14 + 16 + 18 + 22 in, or add a long 28 to 30 in chain as the bottom layer.
- Mix chain styles. Two identical cable chains twist together more easily than a cable and a box or snake chain.
A layering clasp, which joins two or three chains into one multi-strand clasp, keeps the lengths in order. Store layered sets hanging, not coiled; the jewelry box guide gives the hanging height each length needs.
Necklace lengths in centimeters (European sizes)
European and Asian jewelers sell chains in whole centimeters. The nearest US equivalents:
| Metric | Inches | Wears like |
|---|---|---|
| 38 cm | 15.0 in | Short choker |
| 40 cm | 15.7 in | 16 in choker |
| 42 cm | 16.5 in | Between 16 and 18 in |
| 45 cm | 17.7 in | 18 in princess |
| 50 cm | 19.7 in | 20 in |
| 55 cm | 21.7 in | 22 in |
| 60 cm | 23.6 in | 24 in |
| 70 cm | 27.6 in | 28 in |
| 80 cm | 31.5 in | Opera |
The same measure-and-add approach works for wrists and ankles; see bracelet sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Is an 18 or 20 inch necklace better?
For a pendant worn with most necklines, 18 in is the safe choice for women: it sits on the collarbone and shows above a crew neck. Choose 20 in if you have a larger neck, want the pendant to sit below the collarbone, or are buying for a man, where 20 in is the minimum comfortable length.
How long is a 45 cm necklace in inches?
45 cm is 17.7 in, so it wears almost exactly like an 18 in chain. European chains are commonly sold in 40, 42, 45, 50 and 60 cm, which are 15.7, 16.5, 17.7, 19.7 and 23.6 in.
What necklace length should a child wear?
Children usually wear 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm) and teens 14 to 16 in. Choose a breakaway clasp for young children. Necklaces, including amber teething necklaces, are a strangulation and choking risk for babies and toddlers; the FDA warned against teething jewelry in 2018.
How do I measure my neck for a necklace?
Wrap a soft tape around the base of the neck where a collar would sit and add 2 in (5 cm) for a comfortable fit at the base of the neck, or about 4 in (10 cm) for a chain that reaches the collarbone. Or drape a string to the exact spot you want and measure the string.
What is a princess length necklace?
Princess length is 17 to 19 in (43 to 48 cm), with 18 in the classic. It is the standard length for pearl strands and pendants, and falls at or just below the collarbone.