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Necklace Length Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Fit

Finding the right necklace length can completely transform how a piece looks on you. Whether you are shopping for yourself or buying a gift, knowing standard necklace lengths and how they sit on different body types takes the guesswork out of buying jewellery online.

This guide covers a full necklace length chart in centimetres and inches, the average necklace length for women and men, how to measure at home, and tips for matching length to your neckline.

Necklace Length Chart

The following necklace length chart shows the most common sizes in both inches and centimetres, with the style name and where each length falls on the body:

Length (inches) Length (cm) Style Name Where It Falls
14" 35 cm Collar Sits high on the neck, above the collarbone
16" 40 cm Choker Sits snugly at the base of the neck
18" 45 cm Princess Falls at or just below the collarbone
20" 50 cm Matinee (short) Falls a few centimetres below the collarbone
24" 60 cm Matinee Falls midway between collarbone and bust
28" 70 cm Opera Falls at the bust line
36" 90 cm Rope Falls below the bust, can be doubled for layering

Women's Necklace Lengths

For women, the most common necklace lengths range from 40 cm to 60 cm. The right choice depends on your neck length, body proportions, and the neckline you typically wear.

Choker
(35-40 cm / 14-16 inches)

Chokers sit snugly around the neck, either high on the neck at collar length (35 cm) or at the base of the neck (40 cm). They work best with scoop necks, V-necks, and strapless necklines, drawing the eye to the decolletage. If you have a longer neck, chokers look particularly elegant.

Princess Length (45-50 cm / 18-20 inches)

The princess length is the most popular necklace length for women. At 45-50 cm, it falls just at or below the collarbone. It pairs beautifully with almost any neckline: crew necks, V-necks, scoop necks, and button-up shirts. Princess length is the safest choice when buying jewellery as a gift.

Matinee Length
(55-60 cm / 22-24 inches)

The matinee length falls midway between the collarbone and bust. It works well with business attire and higher necklines. Longer chains and pendant necklaces often use matinee lengths as the base layer in a stacked look.

Opera and Rope (70-90 cm / 28-36 inches)

Opera and rope lengths fall at or below the bust. These longer necklaces are typically worn with formal or evening wear. A rope necklace can be doubled for an instant layered effect, giving you two lengths in one piece.

Average Necklace Length for Women

The average necklace length for a woman is 45 cm (18 inches), known as the princess length. This is the standard length that most women find universally flattering, sits naturally at the collarbone, and suits the widest range of necklines and occasions.

For Australian women buying online, 45 cm is the safe default if you are unsure what length to order. Most pendant necklaces and delicate chains come in this length as the standard option.

Men's Necklace Lengths

Men typically wear longer necklaces than women because of wider and longer necks, and because the necklace often sits at or under a shirt collar.

Length (cm) Length (inches) Best For
45 cm 18" Slim chains worn above the collar
50 cm 20" Most common, sits at the collarbone
55 cm 22" Falls below the collarbone, worn under a shirt
60 cm 24" Pendant necklaces, statement chains

Average Necklace Length for Men

The average necklace length for a man is 50 cm (20 inches). At this length, the chain sits at the collarbone and can be worn either over or under a shirt. For pendant necklaces or crystal charms, many men prefer 55-60 cm so the pendant hangs at mid-chest.

How to Measure Necklace Length

To find your ideal necklace length at home, try one of these three methods:

Measure a necklace you already love:

Lay it flat and measure from clasp to clasp. That length is your ideal starting point for new purchases.

Measure your neck:

Wrap a soft tape measure around your neck where you want the necklace to sit. Add 5-10 cm for the pendant drop and comfort.

Use string:

Tie a piece of string around your neck at the desired drop point, cut it, then measure it flat against a ruler.

Note: the length listed for a necklace is the total chain length. A pendant will hang approximately half that length down your chest from the back of your neck.

Matching Necklace Length to Your Neckline

The best necklace length depends heavily on your neckline. Here are the most common pairings:

Crew neck /
round neck

Choker (40 cm) or opera length (70 cm+) works well. Princess length tends to disappear under the collar.

V-neck

Princess (45 cm) or matinee (55-60 cm) follows the V-line naturally and looks intentional.

Scoop neck

Choker, princess, or matinee all work depending on how deep the scoop is.

Off-shoulder
or strapless

Choker or collar length draws the eye upward and frames the neckline.

High neck
or turtleneck

Longer matinee or opera lengths worn over the top.

Collared shirt

Princess or matinee length, tucked inside the collar or resting on top.

Layering Necklaces

Layering necklaces is one of the easiest ways to personalise a look. Space each layer at least 5 cm apart so they do not tangle. A popular combination that works for most necklines:

Layer 1

Choker at 40 cm

Layer 2

Princess at 45-50 cm

Layer 3

Matinee at 60 cm

Mixing different chain styles, such as a thin delicate chain with a chunkier link, or a plain chain with a crystal pendant, adds dimension and texture to a layered look. Odd numbers of layers tend to look more balanced than even numbers.

Browse our necklace collection.

All pieces are listed with their chain length in centimetres so you know exactly how each one will sit before you buy.