Necklace Size Guide

A Guide To Necklace Length

From long statement necklaces to pendants that sit on the breastbone, from elaborate chokers to dainty chains that fall to the collarbone, necklaces come in a variety of lengths. The length you choose will depend very much on your own personal tastes, but there are plenty of questions that are commonly asked about necklace lengths.

Does your face shape impact on length? How do you actually measure the length of a necklace? What are the standard lengths? How can a necklace be adjusted to make it shorter or longer? Read on for the answers...

What Is A Good Length For A Necklace?

There are various different necklace styles, each of which has its own standard necklace length. Refer to our necklace length table below to determine the best fit for your needs.

How Does Pendant Size Relate to Necklace Length and Style?

Generally speaking, the size of your pendant should be proportionate to the necklace length and body type to achieve a balanced, flattering look.

Short Necklaces like chokers and princess-length necklaces pair best with smaller, more delicate pendants that complement yet never overpower the neckline. Consider solitaires or petite charms.

Medium-length necklaces like matinee and opera necklaces welcome greater creativity in ideal pendant pairing. Opt for larger pendants or diamond accents that bring statement elements to your neckwear without unbalancing the presentation.

Long Necklaces like rope necklaces can accommodate the largest, most elaborate pendants, as well as offer opportunities to showcase intricate designs with multiple charms if you wish to curate a truly dynamic, eye-catching ensemble.

Of course, there are no clear-cut rules when it comes to matching pendants and necklaces – you are free to throw traditionalism out the window and go with intentionally contrasting, beautifully bold combinations!

Does Your Face Shape Impact Your Necklace Length?

Necklaces are not just fashion statements; they are also supposed to help frame your face and accentuate your best features. Now, what does this mean in terms of length?

For a long face, it’s better to opt for shorter necklaces that can create a more softened appearance. Chokers and princess necklaces (16” to 18”) are ideal.

Women with an oval face have the flexibility of embracing almost any necklace length. So, feel free to try different styles and types!

Factors That Affect The Necklace Chain Length for Women

The right necklace can really bring your outfit to the next level, so it’s important to choose a length that works for you. The main factors you should consider are the size of your neck, your body type, and your height.

If you are thinking of purchasing a necklace, the first thing you should do is measure your neck (you can find some techniques in the sections below, but the easiest one is to use a measuring tape and add two inches for comfort).

Another factor that can affect the ideal length of a necklace is your body type. Here’s a handy tip: A necklace acts as a sort of path for other people’s eyes. If you want others to avoid your less-beloved features, make sure your necklace doesn’t end exactly on them! Generally speaking, this tends to mean avoiding long chains if you are more full figured (as the necklace might not hang properly).

Lastly, your height also matters. If you are shorter (let’s say, below 5’4”), you should go for necklaces that measure between 16 and 20 inches. If you’re medium height, you can wear any length and it'll probably look great, and if you’re tall (above 5’7”) you might want to go for a long necklace that compliments your height.

Women's Height and Standard Size Chart

The Standard Necklace Lengths

Necklaces for women are typically available in even-inch lengths as the standard measurement. You can consult this chart to understand where each necklace length typically falls on your body (the first table is for women, and the second for men):

Standard Length for Women:

Standard Length for Men:

What Is A Good Length For A Necklace?

A "good length" for a necklace is a personal choice, and depends on many factors. These include the type of necklace you're wearing, the outfit you're pairing it with, your face shape and many more.

Different styles of necklace have their own optimal lengths, as we've described above. However, it is also worth remembering that every individual is unique, and a necklace that flatters one person may not look quite as perfect on another.

A choker, for example, can look incredible on a neck that is long and thin, but will not flatter a shorter, wider neck in the same way. For the latter, a matinee or opera necklace can help to create the illusion of length. If your neck is wrinkled, you may also find that tighter, shorter necklaces do not flatter: instead, opt for a longer pendant to draw the eye away.

Those with a larger bust may want to check how a necklace sits before choosing one of a longer length. Height is also a consideration: while longer necklaces, like matinee and opera necklaces, can look fantastic on a taller woman, those who are shorter in stature may find collarbone-length necklaces more flattering.

The final thing to consider is your face shape. While oval face shapes can suit any necklace length, those with a rounder face better suit longer necklaces, particularly those with a pendant. Chokers are incredibly flattering for those with a Heart-shaped or a longer or rectangular face, helping to balance out the shape of the face.

How can a necklace be adjusted to make it shorter or longer?

The way in which you adjust your necklace length will depend on the type of necklace you have. With a chain necklace, links can be either removed or added to make the necklace the required length.

With strung necklaces, such as pearl necklaces, you may be able to restring the stones onto a longer or shorter wire. However, with other types of necklace - for example, if you're looking to change a diamond necklace length - it is worth asking a jeweller for their views on how best to adjust the necklace length.

How to layer necklaces of different lengths

Generally, the rule of thumb when layering necklaces is to choose two or more necklaces that vary in length by at least two inches. By doing so you will avoid the necklaces becoming tangled, and are likely to be more comfortable.

However, it is possible to wear two necklaces of the same length. One option is to buy necklace extenders, which you can attach to the clasps of your existing necklaces. These come in a variety of styles, colours and materials, meaning you should be able to find something that matches your necklace. By extending one necklace and keeping the other as is, you can layer your two favourite pieces of the same length with ease.

Alternatively, there are options if you want to wear two necklaces of the same length without necklace extenders. The first is to choose two necklaces of different weights - for example, one thinner necklace, and one thicker one. By doing so, you'll increase the chance that the two necklaces will remain separated, reducing the risk of them becoming tangled.

The other option is to buy a necklace spacer, or necklace separator. Using one of these will keep your necklaces separate so that they don't become tangled.

Abelini, we offer a choice of three chain link types:

How To Measure Your Desired Necklace Length

Height	Typical Necklace Length
Petite Frame (5.2" and shorter)	15"
Teenager (5.3" to 5.5")	15" to 16"
Average Adult (5.3" to 5.7")	17" to 18"
Taller Adult (5.8" to 6.5")	19" to 24"
Designs to drape	25" to 34"

There are three main methods you can use to figure out how long your necklace should be. Let’s see each in some more detail.

how to measure Necklace size

Measuring An Existing Necklace

One of the easiest ways to get the perfect necklace length is to use one of your existing pieces! All you need, then, is a measuring tape or ruler.

You have two main options here: You can either measure the full length or the closed length. For the full length, lay the necklace in a straight line, on a flat surface, and calculate the distance from the clasp to the other end. For the closed length, close the clasp, measure as before, and double the number for the total length.

Using a String to Measure a Necklace

If you don’t want to or cannot use an existing necklace, you can instead use a piece of string or tape measure to find the ideal length. Ahain, this is quite straightforward!

If you’re using string, wrap it around your neck until you reach the perfect look. Mark the ends with a pen and measure the distance. With a tape measure, all you need to do is note the number, and you’re ready.

Finding Your Choker Size

You can also use string or tape measure to get your coker size, but there’s one essential consideration here: Despite what the name says, you don‘t want the necklace to constrict you!

So, grab your sting or tape, place it around your neck, and then add 2 inches (or 5 centimetres) to the total size. This will give you the perfect fit for a choker that looks and feels great.

Necklace length size chart