Women’s Necklace Length Guide

Looking for men’s necklace guide instead?

Choosing the right necklace length

Selecting the perfect necklace length can enhance your overall look and complement your style. This guide will help you understand necklace lengths, types, and how to measure yourself for the ideal fit.

Factors to consider

When choosing a necklace length, consider the following factors:

Body type and height: Your necklace’s resting length will vary based on your body type, height, neck, and torso length.
Face shape: A short princess-length necklace flatters heart-shaped faces, while medium-length matinee chains with pendants suit round faces.
Personal style: The style and position of your necklace can significantly impact your overall look.
Layering: If you love layering necklaces, choose varying lengths for a graduated look.
With or without a pendant: If adding a pendant, account for its length in your total chain length.

Matching necklines and necklace lengths

The right necklace can enhance your outfit’s neckline:

Short Necklaces: Ideal for scoop necks.
Medium Chains with Pendants: Perfect for plunging necklines.
Medium to Long Chains: Stylish with high necklines.
Chokers: Great with off-the-shoulder tops.

Understanding necklace lengths

Standard women’s necklace lengths range from 16 to 20 inches. Here’s a breakdown of different lengths and their names:

Collar and Choker lengths (30.5-40cm or 14-16″)

Collar styles fit higher around the neck, while chokers rest closely at the base. These lengths are perfect for long, slender necks and pixie-cut hairstyles. 40cm/16″ necklaces sit just above the collarbone and fit like a choker, making them ideal for petite frames.

Short or Princess necklaces (40-47cm or 18-20″)

These necklaces fall just below the base of the neck, resting around the collarbone. They are best for petite or slim women. 43cm/18″ necklaces fall right at the collarbone and are the most popular length among women.

Medium or Matinee necklaces (47-60cm or 20-24″)

Matinee necklaces sit beautifully on the chest, pointing towards the cleavage. This length is ideal for those of moderate height with fuller body types. Twenty-inch necklaces fall a few inches below the collarbone, making them suitable for higher necklines. 60cm/24″ chain falls below the neckline.

Long or Opera necklaces (60-75cm or 28-34″)

Opera necklaces are best for tall, willowy women and can feature statement pendants. Depending on the length and your build, you can also wear an opera-length necklace layered as a choker and princess chain.

Very long or Rope necklaces (85-100cm or 36-42″)

Rope necklaces create an illusion of layering and can be styled in double or triple tiers. They are often used for long, beaded necklaces like pearls. A 90cm/36″ necklace hangs below the bust and is typically wrapped twice to form double-strand necklaces.

How to measure necklace length

Use these methods to measure your desired necklace length:

Measure your favorite necklace

Place the open necklace on a table.
Measure from the clasp’s outer edge to the other end using a ruler.

Measure on your body

Stand before a mirror. Use a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string/ribbon around your neck, joining both ends at the desired point.
Note the length in centimeters or inches.

If you plan to add a pendant, consider its length when measuring.

Matching your measurements

Necklace lengths vary based on body size and proportions. Women’s average necklace lengths range from 40cm to 45cm (16-18 inches), while men’s range from 55cm to 63cm (20-25 inches). Most necklaces are adjustable by 1 inch or 2-3 cm for flexibility.

Men’s Necklace Length Guide

For men it’s a whole lot easier! For most men’s necklaces, 50 cm is the average length, resting at the collarbone between the top two buttons of a shirt. For necklaces with pendants, choose 55-65 cm so the pendant falls at mid-chest.