Necklace Length Guide for Women & Men (+ Size Charts)

Download Article

Jewelry designer and gemstone expert Valeria Johnson discusses standard necklace lengths

Co-authored by Valeria Johnson and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: August 26, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Women’s Necklace Lengths

|

Men's Necklace Lengths

|

Choosing a Necklace Length

|

Measuring Necklace Length

|

Video

Looking for that perfect necklace length to complement your outfit, occasion, face shape, and body type? Good news: we partnered with stylists and jewelry experts to bring you the necklace length guide you've been searching for! Keep reading for a necklace length chart and a brief guide to standard necklace sizes. We'll also share a necklace size chart for men, plus how to choose the ideal length for your next soiree. Lastly, we'll cover how to measure for a necklace, so you can see where different lengths will fall on your body. Let's go!

Necklace Length Chart

Download Image

An illustration of a model wearing necklaces, showing where each necklace falls on the body and how long it is.

Jewelry designer and gemstone expert Valeria Johnson says the standard length for women's necklaces is 16–18 in (40–45 cm). For men’s necklaces, the standard length is 20–24 in (50–60 cm). Necklaces are sized according to their length from end to end, including the clasp (but not the pendant).

Section 1 of 4:

Women’s Necklace Lengths & Sizes

Download Article

The smallest necklaces for women are called chokers. They range from 14-16 in (35.6-40.6 cm) long and wrap snugly around the base of the neck. They can be worn as an everyday edgy accessory or as an elegant statement piece, depending on the materials.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Meet the wikiHow Experts

Valeria Johnson is a jewelry designer and gemstone expert. She handcrafts jewelry using 14KT and 18KT gold and precious gems.

Tannya Bernadette is a professional stylist and has been working in fashion for over 10 years. She owns a personal styling service called The Closet Edit.

Kathi Burns, CPO®, is a fashion stylist. Her mission is to empower people to master their environment and personal image.

Nicole Wegman is a jewelry professional specializing in engagement ring and wedding band trends. She owns Ring Concierge, a fine jewelry brand.
Johnson says the standard length for women's necklaces is 16–18 in (40–45 cm).^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Valeria Johnson
Jewelry Designer and Gemstone Expert

Expert Interview} Princess necklaces that are 18 in (45.7 cm) long are the most common length for women's necklaces. They're extremely versatile and can be dressed up or down, and worn alone or with other necklaces of varying sizes. The end of a princess necklace dangles right around the clavicle, below the base of the throat.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Matinee necklaces are the happy medium between short and long necklaces. They're 20-24 in (50.8-61 cm) long and end at the top of the bust line, where they visually lengthen your torso. They're perfect for just about any occasion and attire, from professional to casual to glam.^{[4]
X
Research source}
The opera style necklace is quite long at 28-36 in (71.1-91.4 cm), and is therefore more eyecatching. It looks fabulous with evening and party attire, but might be a bit much for business casual or professional events.^{[5]
X
Research source}
The longest women's necklaces are longer than 36 in (91.4 cm) and are called rope necklaces. They typically dangle down to your midwaist. Such a long piece of jewelry makes a bold statement, so be sure to wear to it parties, galas, or other festive occasions where getting experimental with your fashion is appropriate!^{[6]
X
Research source}

Section 2 of 4:

Men's Necklace Length Chart

Download Article

Men's necklaces are sized from 20-27 in (50.8-68.6 cm) end-to-end. Johnson says the standard length for men’s necklaces is 20–24 in (50–60 cm).^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Valeria Johnson
Jewelry Designer and Gemstone Expert

Expert Interview} Most men choose the smallest necklace size, which is 20 in (50.8 cm). It fits closely around the neck and dangles around the clavicle. Much like women's necklaces, the longer the necklace for men, the more attention it's going to draw. Here's a quick guide to men’s necklace lengths and (approximately) where they sit on the body:^{[8]
X
Research source}
- A 20 in (50.8 cm) necklace will rest on the collarbone.
- A 22 in (55.9 cm) necklace will rest on the upper chest.
- A 24 in (61 cm) necklace will rest on the mid-chest.
- A 27 in (68.6 cm) necklace will rest on the breastbone.

Section 3 of 4:

What to Consider When Choosing a Necklace Length

Download Article

1
Neckline Your necklace length can enhance or detract from your shirt or dress neckline. For example, for high necklines, professional stylist Tannya Bernadette says, "you can do a shorter necklace that goes along the neckline, or you can do a long necklace with a pendant" to create the illusion of an elongated V-neck.^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Tannya Bernadette
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview} For V-necks, fashion stylist Kathi Burns, CPO®, says to go for a long necklace that rests "right above your breast line in the center" of your chest.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview}
- According to Johnson, necklace length is a very individual choice. It can be based on a wide variety of things including style, personal taste, neck thickness, and budget.^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Valeria Johnson
  Jewelry Designer and Gemstone Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
Consider whether you want the focus to be on your outfit or your necklace. An opera with a pendant or a rope necklace makes a beautiful statement piece, but it can also command attention that you might rather direct to other parts of your ensemble. On the other hand, a choker or a princess necklace with no pendant might make a simple, solid colored outfit look too bland. Select the necklace length that complements your entire outfit and doesn't overwhelm it or leave it hanging.
3
Face shape The shape of your face can also have an impact on which necklace looks best on you. Oval faces tend to look good no matter the necklace's length. A round face shape is better complemented by the longer matinee or opera necklaces, rather than the more constricting princess and choker lengths. Below is a quick breakdown of common face shapes and the necklace lengths that complement them:^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Oval: Choker, princess, matinee, opera, and rope
- Round: Matinee, opera, and rope
- Heart: Choker and princess
- Square: Princess, matinee, opera, and rope
- Oblong: Choker and princess
Necklaces can make you look taller and narrower or shorter and wider. If you lean more toward heavyset and want to look slimmer, for example, you might consider a matinee or an opera necklace. If you're tall and thin and want to add more structure to your frame, a choker or a princess necklace may help visually cut you off.
5
Occasion Think about where you plan to wear a necklace. If you're casually hanging out with friends, you might want a less ostentatious length that allows more freedom of movement, like a choker, a princess, or a matinee. If you're attending a professional or a serious event, like a business meeting or a funeral, princess or matinee are great options. Neither of them draws much attention, especially if you wear them with only a small pendant (or no pendant at all). Parties, galas, and weddings are where you can really feel free to go wild with your necklace choices, going so far as rope length!^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Casual gatherings and running errands: Choker, princess, or matinee
- Professional and serious events: Princess
- Parties, galas, and weddings: Choker, princess, matinee, opera, or rope
6
Layering Necklace length is crucial when it comes to layering. Johnson says to make sure you wear different lengths, so the necklaces don't tangle up. She also suggests starting with a thinner chain at the top and gradually increasing in thickness as you go lower.^{[14]
X
Expert Source

Valeria Johnson
Jewelry Designer and Gemstone Expert

Expert Interview} With that in mind, try not to wear more than one necklace of the same length (unless, of course, you want to). For example, wear a princess, a matinee, and an opera necklace, or a choker, a matinee, and a rope necklace.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- If you're a man, wear a 20 in necklace, a 24 in necklace, and a 27 in necklace.
When jewelers talk about the length of a necklace, they're referring to the length of the chain. The pendant is extra. For example, if you decide to go with an opera necklace, adding a pendant will change where the bottom of the necklace ends on your body. You might decide to go with a matinee necklace instead, if the pendant would rest too low on your torso for your liking on an opera-length chain.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Measure for Necklace Length

Download Article

1
Drape fabric measuring tape or string around your neck and mark where you want it to lay. To measure for necklace length, jewelry professional Nicole Wegman says to put a soft measuring tape or a piece of string around your neck. Next, she says, make a loop and position it where you want the necklace to lay on your neck or chest.^{[16]
X
Expert Source

Nicole Wegman
Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge

Expert Interview}
- If you're using measuring tape, note the diameter of the loop in inches or centimeters.
- If you're using a string, mark the place where the loop forms with your finger or a Sharpie, then measure the string to that point.
- Note: A heavy pendant will add weight and bulk to your necklace and change where it rests on your neck or torso. For example, if you add a 2 in (5.1 cm) pendant to an 18 in (45.7 cm) princess chain, it will dangle down to your breastbone instead of ending at your clavicle.
2
Alternatively, measure an existing necklace from end to end. If you already own a necklace in the length you want, or that you want to size up or down from, lay it on a flat surface. Then, take a ruler or measuring tape and measure it from end to end (including the clasp). Now you know how long it is in inches (or centimeters) and can find one of a similar length!
- Tip: Measure the chain only, not the pendant (if there is one).