The Complete Guide to Necklace Lengths

Necklace length is measured around the neck, and a difference of only five centimetres completely changes where a pendant sits. Knowing your own measurements makes buying online far less of a gamble.

The standard lengths

A 35 to 40 cm chain sits as a collar or choker, right at the base of the neck. A 45 cm chain, the most commonly sold length, rests just below the collarbone. A 50 cm chain falls on the breastbone, and 55 to 60 cm sits at or just above the bust, which is where statement pendants look their best. Anything from 70 cm upwards becomes a rope length that can be doubled.

Measure once, buy confidently

Take a piece of string, hold it where you would like the pendant to sit, then measure it against a tape. Add two to three centimetres if you plan to wear the piece over knitwear rather than against bare skin.

Length and neckline

A crew neck is flattered by a shorter 40 to 45 cm chain that sits above the fabric. A V-neck suits a pendant that roughly mirrors the depth of the V. High necks and polo necks look best with a longer chain of 55 cm or more worn over the top.

Adjustable chains are worth paying for

An extender of five centimetres effectively gives you two necklaces in one, and it makes layering much easier because you can fine-tune the spacing between pieces.