The length of your necklace can make or break your whole look. The right chain length will bring out your best features, match your face shape, and make your jewellery and outfit look good together. Knowing how long necklaces are is important for making confident style choices, whether you're buying your first nice piece or adding to your collection.
Knowing the average lengths of necklaces
Each length of necklace gives you a different look and serves a different purpose for styling:
Collar/Choker (12 to 16 inches) These shortest lengths fit snugly around your neck. A 14-inch necklace fits like a collar, and a 16-inch choker sits at the base of your neck, just above the collarbone. Chokers are a bold, modern style that draws attention to your collarbone and neckline.
Length of Princess (17–19 inches) This necklace length, which falls just below your collarbone, is the most popular and versatile. Princess-length necklaces look good with almost any neckline and are great for showing off pendants. An 18-inch necklace is the best length for everyday wear; it's the one you'll reach for the most.
Length of the Matinee: 20 to 24 inches These necklaces hang between your collarbone and bust, giving you a classy look that goes well with both casual and business clothes. Most people wear a 20-inch necklace just below their collarbone, which makes it perfect for higher necklines.
Length of Opera (28 to 36 inches) Opera-length necklaces hang below your bust and can be worn in many different ways. Wear them as a single long strand for a dramatic look, or double them up to make a layered choker look.
Length of rope: 37 inches or more The longest category, rope lengths can be wrapped around your neck several times, tied, or styled in a number of creative ways. These are the most flexible options for trying out different styles.
How to Find the Right Size for You
Taking Your Neck Measurement First, wrap a soft measuring tape around your neck where you want your necklace to sit. Add 1.5 to 2 inches to the size of your neck to get the right size for a choker. Add 3 to 4 inches to regular necklaces so they fit comfortably.
Using a Necklace You Already Have Use a flexible tape measure to measure from clasp to clasp on a necklace you love while it is flat. This is the best way to find out how much to spend on future purchases.
The Test of the Mirror Look in a mirror and try different lengths (16, 18, 20 inches) with a ribbon or string. This visual method shows you how each length will look with your body shape and preferred neckline.
How to Choose Length Based on Your Face Shape
The shape of your face is very important in deciding what length of necklace looks best on you:
Faces that are round Don't wear short necklaces or chokers because they can make your face look wider. Instead, pick longer lengths (24 to 30 inches) that make vertical lines and make your face look longer.
Faces in the shape of an oval You have the most adaptable face shape, so you can wear almost any length of necklace. Princess length (18–22 inches) usually makes your natural balance better.
Faces with Square Shapes Pick necklaces that hang between your sharp jawline and shoulder line (16 to 18 inches). Curved or flowing designs can help make sharp features look softer. Stay away from very short lengths that draw attention to jaw angles.
Faces that look like hearts Short necklaces like chokers (14 to 16 inches) look great on you because they make your neck look fuller and balance out your wider forehead with your narrower chin.
Choosing the Right Length for Your Height and Body Type
Things to think about when it comes to height Your height has a big effect on how necklace lengths will fit on your body:
If you're short (under 5'4"), choose lengths between 16 and 20 inches to keep things in proportion. Don't let longer lengths get too much.
Average Height (5'4" to 5'7"): You can wear any length comfortably, which gives you the most options.
Tall (5'7" or taller): All lengths look good on you, but longer chains (24 inches or more) look especially good because they make you look taller.
Suggestions for Body Types
Stick to 16-18 inch lengths for petite frames to keep the proportions sharp and not make your frame look too big.
Fuller Figures: Pick lengths that sit above your bust line (18–22 inches) instead of below it.
Don't wear necklaces that are longer than 24 inches because they might not fit well.
If you have a smaller bust, long, thin chains or layered necklaces are great because they add interest and draw the eye down.
Longer necklaces (20 to 30 inches) help balance out wider frames by adding vertical flow.
Pairing necklaces with different necklines
The most important thing to remember when styling a necklace is to match the length to the neckline of your outfit:
For V-necks, pick necklaces that are 16 to 20 inches long and follow the shape of the V. A pendant that looks like the V makes everything look better and frames your face perfectly.
Crew Necks: Choose lengths between 18 and 24 inches that sit nicely on the fabric and don't get lost. Use textured chains to break up solid necklines.
Turtlenecks and high necklines: Choose longer lengths (26 to 36 inches) that balance the high neckline and add vertical elegance. Necklaces that are opera-length are especially good.
Strapless and off-the-shoulder: Shorter lengths (14 to 18 inches) draw attention to your collarbone and décolletage. Chokers and princess-length necklaces make you look instantly classy.
Boat Necks: Pick lengths between 20 and 24 inches that go well with the wide neckline without being too much. Centred pendants help pull the eye in.
Learning how to layer well
When done right, layering several necklaces adds depth and interest to the look:
The Foundation Method Start with a base piece that is 14 to 16 inches long, like a simple choker or a delicate chain. To balance things out, add a statement piece or pendant that is 18 to 20 inches long, and then finish with a longer piece that is 24 inches or more.
Length Spacing To keep things from getting tangled and to make different visual layers, keep 2 to 4 inches between different lengths. The three-layer rule works well: short (14–17 inches), medium (18–22 inches), and long (24–30 inches).
Combining Styles and Textures Mix thick and thin chains with different types of chains to make them stand out. Beaded, twisted, or hammered pieces can add different textures.
Mixing gold, silver, and rose gold gives your look a modern touch, so don't be afraid to use more than one metal.
Tips for Taking Care of and Maintaining
Taking care of your necklaces properly will make them last longer and look better:
- If you wear your necklaces every day, clean them once a week with warm water and mild soap.
- To keep chains from getting tangled and scratched, store them in separate pouches.
- Take off your necklaces before you swim, shower, or put on lotion or perfume.
- Put on your jewellery after you've let your beauty products soak in.
- Have your necklaces cleaned by a professional once a year and check them often for signs of wear.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Not Paying Attention to Proportions Don't pick lengths that make your natural proportions look bad.
- Too many layers: To keep things from looking too busy, don't wear more than two to four necklaces at once.
- Don't wear chokers with high necklines or very long necklaces with low-cut tops.
- Bad storage: To keep your jewellery safe, buy the right storage solutions.
Last Tips for Success
Think about how you live when you pick lengths. If you mostly wear high necklines, get longer clothes. If you like lower necklines, shorter lengths will work better for you. Quality is more important than quantity, so instead of buying a lot of cheap pieces, buy a few high-quality ones in different lengths.
The best length for a necklace is one that makes you feel good and confident. These tips are a good place to start, but you should also trust your gut about what looks and feels best. Choosing the right jewellery will make it work with your style and make you look even more beautiful every time you wear it.
