What Necklace Length Should I Choose? A Guide for 16 - 30 Inch Necklaces

Choosing a necklace online can sometimes involve a surprising amount of staring at a ruler and wondering, “But where will 18 inches actually sit on me?”

The good news is that there is no single “correct” necklace length. Your perfect length depends on your body, the neckline you are wearing, the style of pendant and, most importantly, where you feel comfortable wearing your jewellery.

So, if you are trying to choose between 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 or even 30 inches, this guide should help you find the length that feels right for you.

What does necklace length actually mean?

When a necklace is described as 18 inches long, this usually refers to the length of the chain from one end to the other when it is laid out flat. The pendant itself then hangs below this.

That means two necklaces with exactly the same chain length can look slightly different depending on the size and shape of their pendants.

As a rough conversion:

• 16 inches = approximately 41cm
• 18 inches = approximately 46cm
• 20 inches = approximately 51cm
• 22 inches = approximately 56cm
• 24 inches = approximately 61cm
• 30 inches = approximately 76cm

These measurements are useful as a guide, but where the necklace actually sits will vary from person to person.

Where does a 16 inch necklace sit?

A 16 inch necklace is one of the shortest everyday chain lengths.

On many women, it will sit around the base of the neck or just above the collarbone.

It can be a lovely choice if you:

• Like your necklaces to sit quite high
• Want to wear a pendant with an open neckline
• Have a smaller neck
• Enjoy layering several necklaces at different lengths
• Prefer a more delicate, close-fitting look

A 16 inch chain can look beautiful with V-necks, scoop necks and open shirts because the pendant sits within the neckline rather than disappearing underneath your clothing.

However, it is worth remembering that 16 inches can feel quite short if you have a broader neck or simply do not like anything sitting closely around it.

Is 18 inches a standard necklace length?

If you are looking for a classic everyday necklace length, 18 inches is a very popular place to start.

It generally sits somewhere around the collarbone or just below it and works well with lots of different necklines.

An 18-inch chain is particularly useful if you:

• Want an easy everyday necklace
• Prefer your pendant to sit around the upper chest
• Wear lots of different neckline styles
• Are buying a necklace as a gift and are unsure which length to choose

Many of my necklace designs use 18 inches as their standard length because it is such a versatile option.

Should I choose an 18 or 20 inch necklace?

This is probably one of the most common necklace length decisions.

If you like your jewellery to sit quite neatly around the collarbone, choose 18 inches.

If you would prefer a little more breathing room and want the pendant to sit slightly lower on your chest, 20 inches may feel more comfortable.

A 20 inch necklace can also work particularly well with:

• Higher necklines
• Crew-neck tops
• Jumpers
• Larger pendants
• Layered necklace combinations

I also think 20 inches can be a lovely option if you find 18-inch necklaces just a little too close around your neck.

Those extra two inches may not sound like much, but they can make the necklace feel noticeably different.

Where does a 22 inch necklace sit?

A 22 inch necklace moves into a slightly longer pendant style. Rather than sitting around your collarbone, it will normally fall further down the upper chest.

It can be a really useful length if you love wearing necklaces over clothing rather than inside your neckline.

You might choose 22 inches if you:

• Often wear crew-neck tops or jumpers
• Prefer a more relaxed necklace fit
• Like your pendant to hang lower
• Want your necklace to form part of a layered look
• Find shorter necklaces uncomfortable

For a small pendant, the extra length can also give it a completely different look. Something that feels dainty and neat at 18 inches can become more relaxed and casual at 22 inches.

When should I choose a 24 inch necklace?

A 24 inch necklace usually sits around the middle of the chest and creates a noticeably longer pendant style.

I particularly like this length with autumn and winter outfits because it can sit beautifully over a T-shirt, blouse or lightweight jumper.

It is also a useful option if you want your pendant to be easy to reach with your hands. 

That can be especially relevant when choosing something like a gemstone spinner necklace. If you plan to spin the gemstone regularly, a slightly longer chain can bring the pendant into a more natural position for your hands.

What is a 30 inch necklace good for?

A 30 inch necklace creates a completely different look from the shorter lengths. It hangs further down your body around your solar plexus and feels more like a traditional long pendant necklace.

If you struggle with clasps a 30 inch design is an ideal option as you can pop it on straight over your head.

This length can work particularly well:

• Over jumpers and dresses
• With high necklines
• When you want the pendant to become more of a feature
• If you enjoy long, relaxed jewellery
• For tactile or fidget pendants that you want to reach easily

Long necklaces can also be useful if you find shorter chains uncomfortable around your neck.

Which necklace length is best for a pendant?

The size and shape of the pendant can make a difference to the length you choose.

A tiny charm usually works beautifully at 16 or 18 inches because it creates a delicate look around the collarbone.

A slightly larger pendant may suit 18, 20 or 22 inches, giving it a little more room to become the focus of the necklace.

Longer chains such as 24 or 30 inches can turn even a relatively dainty pendant into more of a relaxed statement piece.

It really comes down to the look you prefer.

My personalised necklaces, including my birthflower, birthstone and zodiac designs, are available in several chain lengths so that you can choose where you would like your pendant to sit rather than being restricted to one standard option.

What necklace length is best for layering?

Necklace layering works best when each pendant has enough space around it to be seen.

The easiest approach is to space the necklaces out by a couple of inches e.g. 16 inches, 18 inches and 20 inches.

There are no strict rules, though. The pendant sizes matter just as much as the chain lengths, so it is worth putting your necklaces together and seeing which combination feels balanced to you.

What necklace length works best with different necklines?

Your clothes can be just as important as your body shape when choosing a chain length.

V-neck tops

A 16, 18 or 20 inch pendant can follow the shape of a V-neck beautifully. Ideally, you want the pendant to sit either clearly inside or clearly above the neckline rather than exactly on its edge.

Scoop and round necklines

An 18 or 20 inch necklace usually works well, depending on how low the neckline sits.

Crew-neck tops

A longer 20, 22 or 24 inch necklace often works particularly well because the pendant can sit over the fabric.

Shirts and blouses

A 16 or 18 inch necklace can look lovely inside an open collar, while a longer chain can be worn over a buttoned-up shirt for a completely different style.

Roll-necks and jumpers

This is where longer necklaces really come into their own.

A 22, 24 or 30 inch pendant can sit beautifully over the fabric and gives you plenty of space for the jewellery to be seen.

Does my height affect which necklace length I should choose?

It can, but I would not get too caught up in rules about which heights “should” wear particular necklace lengths.

A 24 inch necklace may naturally sit a little lower on someone petite than it does on someone taller.

Your neck size, shoulders, chest and body proportions can also affect the position.

That is why necklace length photographs should always be treated as a guide rather than a guarantee of exactly where the pendant will sit on you.

Personal preference matters far more. If you love long necklaces, wear a long necklace. If you feel most comfortable with a pendant close to your collarbone, choose a shorter one.

Jewellery should work with you, not a set of styling rules.

How can I measure the right necklace length at home?

One of the easiest ways to choose a necklace length is to measure a necklace you already own. Lay it flat and measure from one end of the chain to the other, including the clasp.

Then try it on and think about whether you would like your new necklace to sit higher, lower or in roughly the same position.

If you do not already own a necklace at the right length, you can use a piece of string or ribbon.

Measure out 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 inches, fasten or hold it around your neck and stand in front of a mirror.

If you are buying a pendant necklace, you can even attach a small piece of paper to the string to represent roughly where the pendant will hang. It may look slightly silly, but it works!

What necklace length should I choose for a gift?

If you are buying a necklace for someone else and do not know their usual length, 18 inches is generally a versatile choice for a dainty everyday pendant.

However, there are a few clues you can look for.

• Think about the jewellery they already wear.
• Do their necklaces sit closely around their neck? Choose 16 or 18 inches.
• Do they tend to wear pendants lower on their chest? Consider 20 or 22 inches.
• Do they love long necklaces over jumpers? Try a 24 or 30 inch style.

If you are still unsure, choosing a necklace with several length options or adding an extender gives them a little more flexibility.

So, what necklace length should I choose?

If you are still undecided, here is the simplest way I would think about it:

• Choose 16 inches for a short, delicate necklace close to the collarbone.
• Choose 18 inches for a classic and versatile everyday length.
• Choose 20 inches for a little more room and a slightly lower pendant.
• Choose 22 inches for a relaxed necklace that sits further down the chest.
• Choose 24 inches for a longer style that works beautifully over clothing.
• Choose 30 inches for a relaxed style or a pendant that is easy to reach.

Most importantly, choose the length that feels comfortable and looks like you.

That's why I offer a choice of chain lengths across so many Little Gems Jewels necklaces. Our bodies, clothes and personal styles are all different, and your jewellery should be able to fit around your life.

If you are unsure before ordering, try the string trick in front of a mirror. Those few minutes can make choosing your perfect necklace length much easier.

And once you find the length you love, make a note of it. It will make your next jewellery shopping decision wonderfully simple.