Necklace Size Guide

Necklaces

Necklace Size Guide

Chain length changes everything — the same pendant can be a choker or a centrepiece. Here's how each length sits.

The standard lengths

Length Where it sits The look
16 in / 40 cm High, at the base of the neck Choker territory; lovely with off-shoulder and boat necklines
18 in / 45 cm At or just below the collarbone The everyday classic. If you're buying one chain, buy this — it works with nearly every neckline
20 in / 50 cm At or below the collarbone Perfect for pendants and for wearing over jumpers and shirts

A pendant adds its own drop below the chain — a coin or charm hanging from an 18 in chain typically finishes a few centimetres above the neckline of a crew top.

Layering like a stylist

The 5 cm rule. For a stacked look, choose chains about 5 cm (2 in) apart — for example 40 cm + 45 cm, or 45 cm + 50 cm. Any closer and they tangle; any further and the stack loses its shape.

Mix chain styles for texture. A fine box chain with a bolder curb, or a coin necklace over a snake chain — varied weights keep each layer visible.

Vary the anchors. A choker + a pendant chain + a longer charm chain gives three distinct levels. Keep one layer simple when another is busy.

Measure a chain you already love

  • Lay the chain flat and measure end to end, including the clasp, in cm or inches — that's its length.
  • Or drape it on and note where the clasp lands: chain length ≈ twice the drop from the clasp to where the chain sits at your front.
  • Compare your measurement to the table above to know how a new length will sit.

Good to know

  • A product's chain length is listed on its page where we hold it.
  • Extender chains can bridge sizes — a 16 in chain plus a 5 cm extender wears like a 18 in.
  • Chokers should feel close but never tight — you should fit a finger comfortably between chain and neck.
  • Gifting? 18 in / 45 cm is the safest choice by far. More gift thinking in our FAQ.
  • Necklace materials and finishes are explained in the Materials Guide.

Questions about a specific chain? Contact us with the product name.