Necklace length chart
Lengths and centimeters are from Tiffany's size guide (22 in is our conversion: 22 × 2.54 = 55.9 cm). Names and placement are from Borsheims and Helzberg. Placement assumes an average adult neck; see the neck-size section below.
| Length | cm | Common name | Where it usually falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14–16 in | — | Choker | Short and snug around the neck (Helzberg) |
| 16 in | 40.5 | Choker | Base of the neck, on top of the collarbone (Borsheims) |
| 18 in | 45.75 | Princess | At the collarbone (Helzberg) or just below it (Borsheims) |
| 20 in | 50.75 | Matinee | A few inches below the collarbone |
| 22 in | 55.9 | Matinee | Halfway between collarbone and bustline |
| 24 in | 61 | Matinee | At or just above the bustline |
| 30 in | 76.25 | Opera | Just below the bustline |
| 36 in | 91.5 | Opera | Lowest length on Tiffany's chart |
Borsheims and Helzberg define matinee as 20 to 24 in. Borsheims calls 28 to 36 in opera length.
16 vs 18 vs 20 inches
| 16 in | 18 in | 20 in | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it sits | Base of the neck | Collarbone | A few inches below the collarbone |
| Feel | Close, choker-like | Relaxed but visible | Loose, hangs freely |
| Good with | V-necks, scoop necks, boat necks, button-up shirts (Borsheims) | Most necklines, everyday to evening (Borsheims) | Open-collar shirts (Brilliant Earth); layering over a shorter chain |
| Pendant | A small one stays high | Lands near the collarbone | Room for a larger pendant to hang |
| For men | Not on Brilliant Earth's men's chart, which starts at 18 in | Tight; sits at base of neck (Brilliant Earth) | Most common men's length (Brilliant Earth) |
How neck size changes the fit
Tiffany notes that neck circumference and pendant size both affect how a necklace sits. Brilliant Earth's chain guide gives a rule: add 2 to 3 in to your neck measurement for a comfortable fit. Its example is a 17 in neck with a 20 in chain. It suggests adding 1 to 2 in for a choker and 4 in or more for a pendant necklace.
Here's that rule applied, by our arithmetic:
| Your neck (around the base) | Close fit (+1–2 in) | Comfortable (+2–3 in) | Pendant (+4 in or more) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 in | 14–15 in | 15–16 in | 17 in+ |
| 14 in | 15–16 in | 16–17 in | 18 in+ |
| 15 in | 16–17 in | 17–18 in | 19 in+ |
| 16 in | 17–18 in | 18–19 in | 20 in+ |
| 17 in | 18–19 in | 19–20 in | 21 in+ |
| 18 in | 19–20 in | 20–21 in | 22 in+ |
The same chain sits lower on a slim neck and higher on a thick one. So if a 16 in necklace feels tight, the problem is probably the length, not the style. Try 18 in.
Try any length with a piece of string
Tiffany recommends this method. It takes two minutes and works for any length.
- Cut a piece of string or yarn to the length you're considering, for example 18 in. Use a ruler or tape measure.
- Tie the ends or hold them together at the back of your neck.
- Look in a mirror, wearing the neckline you wear most often.
- Hold a coin or a small object at the lowest point to stand in for a pendant. A pendant hangs below the chain by its own height.
- Repeat with a second string at another length if you plan to layer, and see how the two look together.
- Already own a necklace you like? Lay it flat, measure it end to end, and use that number when you shop. Brilliant Earth suggests this too. The same trick works for bags, as our tote bag size guide explains.
Pendants and layering
A pendant changes how long a necklace looks. The chain sets where the loop sits, and the pendant hangs below that. That's why Brilliant Earth suggests more extra length for a pendant than for a plain chain. Borsheims recommends 24 in for layering with other chain lengths, and suggests long pendants with low or plunging necklines.
For layering, leave a gap between lengths so the chains don't tangle into one line. Tiffany's advice is to try each length with string to strike the right balance.
Questions people ask
What is the perfect length for a necklace?
There isn't one length for everybody. Helzberg puts the average women's necklace at 16 to 20 in, and Borsheims calls 18 in the most popular. Start with your neck measurement plus 2 to 3 in (Brilliant Earth's rule), then check it with the string test.
Is a 16 or 18 inch necklace better?
It depends on where you want it to sit. A 16 in necklace sits at the base of the neck. An 18 in necklace lands at the collarbone and works with more necklines, according to Borsheims. If your neck is around 15 in or larger, 16 in may feel tight, so 18 in is the safer choice. By our arithmetic, a 16 in chain gives a 15 in neck only 1 in of room.
What does a 20 inch necklace look like?
On most adults it hangs a few inches below the collarbone, in the matinee range (20 to 24 in). It's long enough to show over a crew neck or open collar and leaves room for a pendant. For men, Brilliant Earth says 20 in falls on the collarbone, about between the first and second shirt buttons.
What length chain should a man wear?
Brilliant Earth calls 20 in the most common men's length. It lists 22 in as a few inches below the collarbone, 24 in at mid-chest, and 18 in as a tight fit at the base of the neck. Helzberg suggests 18 to 20 in for an everyday look.
How do I measure necklace length?
Lay the necklace flat, open it, and measure from one end to the other, clasp included. To find your own size, wrap a soft tape or string around the base of your neck, snug but not tight, and add 2 to 3 in.
Does neck size really matter?
Yes. Tiffany says neck circumference affects how a necklace sits. A thicker neck uses up more of the chain, so the same chain sits higher.
A question about an order, or about who we are? Our store FAQ covers it, or you can search the store.
From our store
Tree of Life wire-wrapped pendant necklace. A wire-wrapped Tree of Life around a dyed crystal point, on a metal O-chain listed at 20 to 31.5 in (51 to 80 cm). By the chart above, that runs from matinee length, a few inches below the collarbone, to about opera length, below the bustline. The pendant hangs lower than the chain. Try both ends of that range with the string test before you order. See our returns policy, and browse more in Accessories, including the black onyx bead bracelet and the Oxford shoulder bag. For bracelet sizing, see our bracelet size chart, one of several sizing guides. Like everything on Shoujia Mall, it ships from a US warehouse with shipping in the price, and you pay by card at checkout (payment). If you need the pendant's size before you order, contact us.
Sources
- Tiffany & Co., Necklaces & Pendants Size Guide (lengths in inches and cm, string method, neck size and pendant note)
- Borsheims, Necklace Length Chart (where 16–30 in fall; matinee and opera ranges)
- Helzberg Diamonds, Necklace Length Guide (choker 14–16 in, 18 in at collarbone, matinee 20–24 in, average 16–20 in, men 18–20 in)
- Brilliant Earth, Men's Chain Length Guide (men's lengths; add 2–3 in to neck; choker and pendant allowances)
- NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.8 (1 in = 2.54 cm exactly)
Sources checked November 3, 2026.
