How to Measure Necklace Length: A Quick Guide
When you purchase a necklace online, you’ll typically be able to view a necklace size chart that tells you how long the necklace is. Likewise, you may see certain necklace lengths referred to by specific names when shopping online or in-store.
However, these names and measurements may mean nothing if you don’t know how to measure necklace length. Here’s how to measure a favorite necklace at home to understand how these inches add up in the real world.
What You Will Learn
How Do You Measure a Necklace? Learn How to Measure for Necklace Length
If you already have a necklace on hand and you want to measure it, whether to find out what type of necklace it is (based on chain length rather than design) or because you’d like to purchase a necklace with a similar length, here’s what you need to do.
1. Lay your necklace, unfastened, on a flat surface. Spread it out so it’s completely flat and lying in a straight line.
2. Stretch out a ruler or tape measure along the length of the necklace.
3. Check the corresponding length, end to end, on the measuring tape.
That’s how long your necklace is.
Is your necklace too long to measure with a 12-inch ruler? Fasten the necklace and measure it using the same method. Then, double your measurement for the necklace’s total length.
How to Find the Perfect Necklace Length By Measuring Your Neck
You have a tape measure or ruler but no necklace on hand; now what? Instead, think of your desired length and try to find a necklace to match it.
In this case, use a flexible measuring tape, like a tailor’s tape, and wrap it around your neck. Pretend the tape is your new necklace. Match the end of the tape to the spot on the tape where you’d like the necklace to fall. Note the measurement on the tape. That’s approximately the necklace length you should look for.
You can use this method for all different necklace lengths. If you want longer necklaces, like a pendant necklace, that lays further down on your chest at that perfect height, or if you want a comfortable choker-length necklace, you want to ensure your purchase will not be too tight.
Popular Necklace Length and Sizes
As mentioned, there are some instances where a common necklace length has a specific name. When shopping, if a jeweler refers to a necklace by one of these names, you’ll know approximately how long the necklace is.
Here are a few common sizes (keep in mind that these are the necklaces’ lengths when unclasped, stretched straight out, end to end):
- Collar necklace length: 13–15 inches
- Choker length: 15–17 inches
- Princess length: 17–19 inches
- Matinee length: 20–24 inches
- Opera length: 28–37 inches
- Rope length: 37–60 inches or longer
What is the Right Necklace Length for You?
If you don’t know the correct length for you, learning how to measure the length of a necklace will not matter.
For this reason, you may want to measure your neck circumference using a flexible measuring tape. Beyond measuring your neck circumference, adjust the flexible measuring tape to represent the typical necklace lengths discussed above. This way, you’ll see what a rope necklace, matinee necklace, opera necklace, and other necklace lengths will look like on your specific body and where those standard lengths will fall based on your neck circumference, shoulders, etc.
How to Measure a Necklace Chain Length FAQs
TL; DR? No worries. Here are the need-to-know details.
How is necklace length measured?
Necklace chains are measured end-to-end in inches or centimeters. Some popular necklace lengths have specific names. For example, a rope-length necklace is 37 inches or longer.
How do you measure a necklace length?
If you want to know how to measure necklace chain length at home, it’s pretty simple. Just stretch out an unclasped necklace on a flat surface and measure the length of the flat necklace using a ruler or measuring tape.
Can you learn how to measure a necklace length before you buy it?
Ask or search for the length, and then take a flexible measuring tape to understand how the necklace will fit your body. Wrap the tape around your neck and place the end along the tape, coinciding with the necklace’s length. Pinch or mark the tape and connect the endpoints together in front of your body; this is where the necklace will fall. Pro tip: You can do something similar with string, measuring the string to that of the necklace’s length and trying it on.
How long are most necklaces?
Necklaces can vary significantly in length. Suppose you’re not talking about a distinctly long or short necklace, like a choker or opera necklace. In that case, most necklaces sit right around the princess length at 17 to 19 inches long.
What is the shortest necklace?
You might think it’s the choker, but the collar necklace is the shortest standard necklace size!
Now You Know How to Measure a Necklace!
Now that you’ve learned how to measure a necklace and popular necklace sizes, you can confidently shop for a necklace that offers the fit and style you want.
Once you get that necklace home, protect it from all of life’s little mishaps. Maybe a curious toddler tugs on your necklace and damages the clasp. Or you place your delicate chain necklace on the edge of your vanity, and before you know it, it slips and slides into the sink and down the drain.
When things like this happen, specialized jewelry insurance comes to the rescue. Learn more about BriteCo’s comprehensive coverage options and get your free quote now.
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