Size charts
Necklace length chart
18 inches (45.7 cm) is the most common necklace length, and it sits on or just below the collarbone. Shorter chains of 14 to 16 inches sit at the base of the neck, 20 to 24 inches fall between the collarbone and the bust, and 30 inches or more reach mid-chest and can be worn doubled. Lengths are measured end to end, including the clasp.
Data checked October 5, 2026 against the sources listed below.
Women's necklace lengths
Women's necklace lengths
| Length | Name | Where it sits | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 in (35.6 cm) | Collar | High on the neck, tight against its base | Open necklines; the short layer of a stack |
| 16 in (40.6 cm) | Choker | At the base of the neck, just above the collarbone | Most outfits; the usual top layer |
| 18 in (45.7 cm) | Princess | On or just below the collarbone | The most common length; pendants and charms |
| 20 in (50.8 cm) | Matinee | Just below the collarbone | Everyday and work wear; layering |
| 22 in (55.9 cm) | Matinee | Between the collarbone and the bust | A longer layer or a pendant |
| 24 in (61.0 cm) | Matinee / opera | At or just above the top of the bust | Statement pendants; the longest layer |
| 28 in (71.1 cm) | Opera | At or below the bust | High necklines and evening wear |
| 30 in (76.2 cm) | Opera | Mid-chest, at the sternum | Evening wear; can be worn doubled |
| 32 in (81.3 cm) | Opera | Mid-chest to below the bust | High necklines and evening wear |
| 36 in (91.4 cm) | Rope | Below the bust; long enough to double | Doubled, knotted or wrapped |
Men's chain lengths
| Length | Where it sits | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 18 in (45.7 cm) | At the base of the neck, a snug or tight fit | A close, fitted look, or the short layer when layering with longer chains |
| 20 in (50.8 cm) | On the collarbone, usually between the first and second shirt buttons (Brilliant Earth). Blue Nile says just below the collarbone. | The most common length; everyday wear |
| 22 in (55.9 cm) | A few inches below the collarbone, on the upper chest; shows outside a shirt | Pendants, medallions and layering |
| 24 in (61.0 cm) | Middle of the chest or sternum (Jared says above the breastbone) | Statement pieces, worn over clothing |
| 26+ in (66.0+ cm) | Below the chest | Bold styling, layering, a more relaxed look |
| 30 in (76.2 cm) | At the base of the sternum | Long statement chain; Brilliant Earth says men's chains usually run 18-30 in |
How to measure
- 1
Measure a necklace you already own
Lay it flat and measure from end to end, including the clasp. Retailers quote length the same way, so the number matches what you buy.
- 2
Or use a piece of string
Drape a string around your neck to where you want the chain to fall, mark it, and measure it flat against a ruler. Pick the nearest length in the chart.
- 3
Allow for a pendant
A heavier pendant pulls the chain into a deeper V, so it sits lower than the same chain worn plain.
How far apart should layered necklaces be?
Leave about 2 inches between each layer so every chain stays visible and the layers tangle less. A classic three-layer stack is 16, 18 and 22 to 24 inches, with the longest chain carrying the statement pendant.
Why sources disagree on the names
No standards body defines necklace length names. They come from trade convention, mostly the pearl trade, so retailers draw the boundaries a little differently: Blue Nile starts opera at 24 inches while Jared starts it at 28. The lengths in inches and centimetres are the reliable part; the names are a guide.
Frequently asked questions
18 inches (45.7 cm), often called princess length. It sits on or just below the collarbone and suits most necklines and pendants.
A choker is usually 14 to 16 inches (35.6 to 40.6 cm) and sits at the base of the neck. Anything 14 inches or shorter is often called a collar.
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.
Yes. Standard necklace lengths are measured from end to end, including the clasp.
Multiply by 2.54: one inch is exactly 2.54 cm. An 18 inch chain is 45.7 cm and a 20 inch chain is 50.8 cm.
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Sources
- NIST: SI units of length: si units length
- GIA: June_v3_FNL
- Blue Nile: necklace length chart
- Blue Nile: necklace guide
- Brilliant Earth: necklace length chart
- Brilliant Earth: how to layer necklaces
- Mejuri: necklace sizing 101
- Jared: necklace length
- Pearl Paradise: learn about necklace lengths
- Statement Collective: necklace lengths
- Gabriel & Co.: necklace length guide for women
- Pandora: NAM Necklace Size Guide
- Brilliant Earth: chain length men
- Blue Nile: chain length men
- Helzberg: mens chain and necklace length guide
- Global Gemology & Appraisals: necklace length chart
- CaratLane: necklace size chart
- The Pearl Source: necklace lengths
- Vrai: necklace length guide
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