Sizing
Women's necklace lengths: where each one actually sits
40 cm and 45 cm sound like nothing. On a collarbone, one sits above the neckline and one sits below it.
Zayr Studio3 min read
Updated
Necklace length is the specification people skim past, and it is the one that decides whether a piece is worn or admired in a box. Five centimetres is the difference between a chain sitting on the collarbone and disappearing under a neckline.
Measure yours in a minute
- Drape a phone charging cable or a strip of ribbon around your neck where you want the necklace to sit.
- Pinch where the ends meet at the back, lay it flat and measure to the pinch.
- Add 2–3 cm if a pendant is going on — a pendant pulls the chain down and forward.
- Stand up while you do it. Measuring hunched over a phone adds a centimetre or two.
The standard lengths
| Length | Inches | Name | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35–37 cm | 14–15" |
Common questions
What is the most common necklace length for women?
45 cm, or 18 inches — the length usually called princess. It sits on or just below the collarbone, works with almost every neckline and takes a pendant without crowding the throat. If you are buying one necklace and want it to work everywhere, buy this length.
What necklace length works with a kurta?
50–55 cm, or none at all. A kurta's band collar sits high, so a shorter chain disappears behind the fabric. If the neckline itself is embroidered or heavily worked, skip the necklace entirely and put the emphasis on earrings instead.
How do I measure my necklace size at home?
Drape a phone charging cable or a ribbon around your neck where you want the necklace to sit, pinch where the ends meet at the back, then lay it flat against a ruler. Stand up while measuring, and add 2–3 cm if a pendant is going on the chain.
Does a pendant change the chain length I need?
Yes. A pendant adds its own drop and its weight pulls the chain lower, so expect the visual endpoint to move down by 2–4 cm. A 45 cm chain with a 3 cm pendant behaves much like a 50 cm chain worn plain.
Ready when you are
Bank or wallet payment nationwide, exchanges on sizing.
