Virtual Try-On
What Necklace Length Suits Me? How to See It Before You Buy
The length that suits you depends mostly on what you wear it with. Measure a chain you already like, match the length to the neckline you wear most, and then see the necklace on a photo of yourself in that neckline. Neck size and build move a chain up or down, so a photo of you settles what a chart can only suggest.
Start from a chain you own
Lay a necklace you like flat and measure it end to end, including the clasp. Retailers quote length the same way, so that number matches what you buy. If you don't own one at the length you want, drape a piece of string around your neck to where the chain should fall, mark it and measure it against a ruler.
18 inches (45.7 cm) is the most common length, and it sits on or just below the collarbone. Our necklace length chart shows where every length from 14 to 36 inches falls.
Match the length to your neckline
Retailers publish neckline pairings, and they don't always agree, so treat these as a shortlist to try on.
- Crew neck: Brilliant Earth suggests a short chain of about 16 inches that sits above the neckline, or a long one of 30 inches or more that falls well below it. Blue Nile pairs crew necks with 18 inches instead.
- V-neck: a pendant that follows the shape of the V. Brilliant Earth suggests 18 inches.
- Turtleneck: a long chain worn over the knit. Blue Nile suggests opera lengths of 24 to 30 inches, and Brilliant Earth 30 to 36.
- Button-down shirt: Blue Nile pairs matinee lengths of 20 to 24 inches with button-downs and other high necklines.
- Off-shoulder: Brilliant Earth suggests a collar length of about 14 inches, which shows off the neck and shoulders.
Pendants pull a chain lower
A heavier pendant pulls the chain into a deeper V, so it sits lower than the same chain worn plain. Brilliant Earth adds that larger pendants usually need longer chains. If you are buying a pendant on its own, check where it lands on the chain you plan to use.
Layering lengths
Leave about 2 inches between layers so each chain stays visible and they tangle less; Brilliant Earth suggests 2 to 4. A classic three-layer stack is 16, 18 and 22 to 24 inches, with the longest chain carrying the statement pendant.
Men's chain lengths
20 inches (50.8 cm) is the most common men's length. It rests on the collarbone, usually between the first and second shirt buttons. 22 to 24 inches suits a pendant worn over clothing.
See it on you
A photo try-on needs two pictures: the necklace, with the whole chain and pendant visible, and you, front-facing from the chin to the chest. Hues lays the necklace on your neckline and returns the image in about 30 seconds. The necklace try-on page explains each step.
Neckline matters more than anything else here, so take two photos of yourself, one in a crew neck and one in a V-neck, and run the same necklace on both. The comparison usually answers the question.
Starting photo
Made with HuesTaking a photo that works
- Wear an open or plain neckline so the chain isn't hidden
- Stand straight with your shoulders level
- Take off other necklaces first
- Use even light from the front
What a try-on can't tell you
A try-on shows a believable length and drape on you. It is not a measurement, and it cannot tell you how heavy a chain feels by evening or how easy the clasp is to close. Use it to choose the length, then check the listing's number against a chain you own.