How to measure a necklace
Every point, drawn on the garment so there is no guessing where the tape goes.
Quick answer
A necklace has three numbers: circumference, the closed loop the chain forms, necklace length, the chain pulled straight end to end, and pendant size, the charm's own dimension. Length is what most buyers shop by, read flat along the chain. Hover or tap each step on the diagram to see where the tape sits. Sizely keeps all three together.
A buyer picturing where your necklace will sit, at the collarbone, the chest, or lower, reads the length first, since that is what decides drop on the body. Listings often give a single length and skip the clasp and pendant, leaving guesswork. This page draws the loop, the straight length and the pendant on the piece, so a buyer knows exactly how it will hang before they order.
- A
Circumference
The closed loop the necklace forms when clasped, the actual ring the chain makes around the neck. Lay it shut in a circle and read around the inside. It tells a buyer the smallest opening their head and collar have to pass. Hover or tap this step to see where the loop is read.Recorded as-is, measured around the closed loop. Do not double.
- B
Necklace Length
The full chain pulled straight from one end to the other, clasp included. This is the number buyers shop by, since it sets where the necklace drops, choker, princess or longer. It leads on the listing for that reason.Recorded as-is, the chain laid out straight. Do not double.
- C
Pendant Size
The pendant or charm on its own, measured at its longest dimension. A larger pendant pulls the front of the chain down and adds visible drop, so list it next to the length rather than folding it in.Recorded as-is, the pendant's own dimension. Do not double.
Measure flat on a table with the chain straight and the clasp closed, never held up or stretched. Read to the nearest quarter inch, and remember a pendant adds a little drop below the chain's resting point. Each number here is linear: the circumference is the closed loop, the necklace length is that same chain pulled straight, and the pendant size is a single dimension. Nothing doubles, since you record the chain at full extent, not as a folded edge.
Necklace size reference
| Size | Circumference | Necklace Length | Pendant Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choker | 13 | 14 | 0.5 |
| Princess | 16 | 18 | 0.75 |
| Matinee | 20 | 22 | 1 |
| Opera | 28 | 30 | 1.25 |
| Rope | 34 | 36 | 1.5 |
Frequently asked
What length necklace should I get?
Hold a flexible tape or string around your neck where you want the chain to rest and read that length. A 16 inch chain sits as a choker high on the neck, 18 inches falls just below the collarbone, and 22 inches and up rests on the chest. Pick the length first, then account for any pendant adding drop.
Is necklace circumference the same as length?
No. The circumference is the closed loop the chain forms when clasped, the opening that has to clear your head. The necklace length is that same chain pulled out straight, end to end, which is the number listings quote. A clasp and slider can make the worn loop a touch shorter than the straight length, so it helps to list both.
Should I measure a necklace in inches or centimeters?
Inches are standard for necklace lengths in many markets, with named lengths like 16, 18 and 24 inches, but centimeters are common elsewhere. Show both if you ship internationally, and always label the unit so a buyer is not converting a choker into an opera length in their head.
Does the pendant change the necklace length?
It does not change the chain length, but it adds visible drop below where the chain rests, so the lowest point of the piece sits lower than the chain alone. A heavy pendant can also pull the chain down slightly at the front. List the pendant size next to the length so buyers can picture the full hang.
Why does the same length necklace sit differently on two people?
Neck and chest size move where a fixed chain falls. A 20 inch chain that rests mid-chest on a smaller frame sits higher on a broader one. Listing the loop circumference alongside the straight length lets a buyer compare against a necklace they already own and own the drop on their own body.
Related size charts & tools
How to measure a braceletSources: Sizely garment engine, spec #319 (Necklace), chain circumference, full length and pendant size. Last verified June 2026.
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