Necklace Sizing Guide

You’ve found the perfect necklace and are just about to add-to-cart—but wait, what size should you get!?

Many people run into this dilemma when shopping for jewelry online. It’s hard to imagine where the necklace will fall on your body and nobody wants the hassle of returning or exchanging for a different size. 

Here’s a comprehensive guide to choosing the right necklace length for you, whether you’re a guy, a gal, or if you’re shopping for someone else. 

Standard Necklace Lengths for Women:

We’ll start with defining the standard necklace lengths for women you’ll find with many retailers. Not everyone offers custom sizing and it’s best to get familiar with the standard sizes to see which ones will suit you best. 

Here’s a chart of the standard necklace lengths for women and where they fall on the average woman’s body:

Necklace Length	Where It Falls on the Body
14 inches	Choker length, worn snugly around the neck
16 inches	Falls around the base of the neck
18 inches	Most common length choice, falls perfectly at the collarbone
20 inches	Typically falls just below the collarbone
22 inches	Falls at the bust line
24 inches	Falls just below the bust

Standard Necklace Lengths for Men:

Of course, standard lengths will be different for men. 

Here is a guide to the standard necklace lengths for men and where they fall on the average man’s body:

Necklace Length	Where It Falls on the Body
18 inches	Falls right at the base of the neck
20 inches	Falls at the collarbone
22 inches	Most common length choice, falls a bit under the collarbone
24 inches	Hits just above the sternum

How To Measure Necklace Length For Yourself

Here are the steps to take when finding the right necklace length for yourself:

1. Measure Your Neck

This is the most important factor in determining which necklace length will sit exactly where you want it. To start, grab a flexible tape measurer and wrap it around your neck. Once you have an accurate measurement of your neck length, add 4 inches to the measurement in order to calculate the minimum recommended chain length you should order. 

For example, if your neck measures 14 inches, an 18 inch necklace will be a great choice of length for you. 

1. Visualizing Exact Necklace Length

Choose an existing chain you already have in a similar thickness to the one you’re considering. If you love the length it falls on you, lay it flat next to a tape measurer and determine the length. 

If you don’t have access to a similar looking chain, you can always repeat the same process with a piece of string. Both methods will help you visualize exactly where the necklace you’re eyeing will fall on your body and ensure you choose exactly the right length for you.  

1. Choosing the Right Standard Length

If the website you’re ordering from doesn’t offer custom necklace sizes, you’ll need to determine which standard necklace length is right for you. All you have to do is choose the second size up from your neck size (refer to your neck size from Step 1). 

For example, if your neck measures 16 inches, the minimum standard length you should choose is 20 inches. 

1. Consider Your Height

Taking your height into consideration is also important when choosing the right necklace length for yourself. Your height can affect the position of the necklace around your neck. In general, long necklaces can overpower shorter people and short necklaces can disappear on taller people. 

Below 5 Foot 4 Inches (162 cm)

Necklaces measuring 16-20 inches work best for this height group.

5 Foot 4 Inches (162 cm) - 5 Foot 7 Inches (170 cm)

This height range has the flexibility to choose any standard necklace length.

5 Foot 7 Inches (170 cm) and Taller

Necklaces measuring 20 inches and longer work best for taller people.

Choosing the Right Necklace Length as a Gift

When buying a necklace as a gift for someone else, it would be great to measure an existing necklace they own that they love the size of. Of course, that’s not always possible, so your next best bet is making an educated guess. 

Here are the factors you should consider:

Average Necklace Lengths:

When unsure, the best choice is to go with the most commonly chosen necklace lengths for your gift recipient. That way, even if you are off by an inch or two, the necklace won’t be completely unwearable.

For petite women, the most common necklace length is 16 inches. For the average woman, the most common necklace length is 18 inches. And, for curvier women, the most common necklace length chosen is 20-22 inches.

For slim men, 18-20 inches are common necklace lengths. For the average sized man, 20-22 inches are the most common necklace lengths. And, for men with a larger build, 24 inches and up is the ideal necklace length.

Adjustable Lengths:

When shopping for someone else, buying a necklace with an adjustable length, or adding a chain extender to your order can be a great idea. 

For example, many necklaces are sold with adjustable lengths such as 16 inches adjustable to 18 inches, etc. That way, your loved one can wear the chain shorter or longer, depending on their taste.