SearchNecklace length chart for women: choker to opera, and how to layer necklaces
An 18 inch necklace sits at the collarbone and is the classic length for a pendant; 16 inches sits at the base of the neck, 20 to 24 inches falls from just below the collarbone to the bust line, and 28 inches and up are the opera and rope lengths. When you are not sure, take 18 inches, and to layer, space the necklaces 2 inches apart.
The short answer
- What we carry most: 18 inches is the length our women's necklaces come in most, and our chains mostly let you pick 18 to 24.
- Shorter hugs the neck; longer falls to the chest. 14 inches is a collar, 16 a choker at the base of the neck, 20 to 24 the matinee lengths, and 28 and up the opera and rope lengths.
- Layer 2 inches apart. 16, 18 and 20 is the classic stack: every 2 inches of chain drops the center about an inch.
- Measure before you order. A string around your neck at home, or a necklace you already love, laid flat.
Not sure of the length? Ask in the live chat, or call or text 212-872-9692; a person answers from 10 AM ET.
Necklaces for Women
All necklaces for women
Women's necklace lengths, from collar to rope
Necklace length chart: where each length sits
| Length | In centimeters | Name | Where it sits | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 in | 35.6 cm | Collar | Snug, high on the neck | Open necklines; the top of a stack |
| 16 in | 40.6 cm | Choker | At the base of the neck | A tennis necklace or a small pendant worn high |
| 18 in | 45.7 cm | Princess | At the collarbone | Most pendants, name and initial necklaces |
| 20 in | 50.8 cm | Matinee | Just below the collarbone | A pendant that shows over a crew neck |
| 22 in | 55.9 cm | Matinee | Above the bust line | Layering, and higher necklines |
| 24 in | 61.0 cm | Matinee | At the bust line | A longer pendant, or over a sweater |
| 28 to 30 in | 71 to 76 cm | Opera | Below the bust | Worn long over knits |
| 36 in and up | 91 cm and up | Rope | Toward the waist | Worn long, or doubled into two strands |
On an average neck. A fuller neck, or a thick link, uses up more of the chain and lifts it higher: go up one length, 2 inches.
What our necklaces come in
Read October 8, 2026: of our women's necklaces with one fixed length, 18 inches is the most common, then 22 and 16. Our chains and pendant sets mostly let you pick 18, 20, 22 or 24 inches; 16 is on fewer, and a few chains go to 26, 28 or 30. Our tennis necklaces run mostly 18 to 22 inches, some at 24 and a few at 16 or 17.
A true collar, 14 or 15 inches, is rare in our case. We can shorten or lengthen a chain we sell; ask the desk about the charge. In our showroom page's words: "Resizing and other alterations are done for you and are not returnable."
Shop by kind: women's necklaces, gold necklaces, 14K gold necklaces, gold chains, diamond necklaces and tennis necklaces.
A pendant changes the length
A pendant hangs below the chain by its own height. And every 2 inches of chain drops the center about an inch, because the extra length splits between the two sides. So a pendant about an inch tall on an 18 inch chain reaches about as low as a bare 20.
For most pendants, 18 inches is the length; 16 keeps a small one high at the base of the neck, and 20 lets a larger one show over a crew neck. The pendants are at women's pendants, and which chain carries which pendant is in which chain for a pendant.
How to layer necklaces
Space them 2 inches apart, so each one lies at its own level. Put the thinnest chain on top and the heaviest piece, or the pendant, at the bottom, where its weight helps keep the stack from twisting.
| Stack | Lengths | The look |
|---|---|---|
| Two, close | 16 and 18 | Tight at the neck, for an open collar |
| Two, everyday | 18 and 20 | A chain and a pendant, just apart |
| Three, classic | 16, 18 and 20 | Even steps down from the neck |
| Three, wide | 16, 20 and 24 | More room, for a long pendant at the bottom |
Mix the links, say a fine cable, a rope and a tennis line, so the layers read apart. 10K, 14K and 18K yellow differ a shade, so see a mixed stack in one light. Layers do tangle: how to untangle a necklace.
From the store
“Buy jewelry you fall in love with: something that makes you happy every time you put it on, a reward for your hard work. And it has to be right, and it has to fit right. Otherwise there is no point.”
How to measure your necklace length at home
- Lay a string or a phone cable around your neck.
- Let it fall where you want the necklace, and pinch where the ends meet.
- Measure it flat, in inches, and round up to the next even length.
Or lay a necklace you love flat, clasp closed, and measure end to end. As a rule of thumb, your neck size plus about 2 inches rests at the base of the neck, and plus about 4 near the collarbone.
Chat, text or call
Tell us the neckline and the look, and we will help with the length.
Send the listing link and the length of a necklace you already wear.
The live chat answers at night too; a person takes calls and texts from 10 AM ET.
Questions about necklace length
What is the most common necklace length for women?
18 inches, the princess length, is the classic: it sits at the collarbone and suits most pendants. It is also the length our women's necklaces come in most.
Is 16 or 18 inches better for a necklace?
16 sits close at the base of the neck and suits open necklines and tennis necklaces. 18 falls to the collarbone, where most pendants look right, and is the easier length to wear every day.
Where does a 20 inch necklace fall on a woman?
Just below the collarbone, low enough for a pendant to show over a crew neck.
How long is a choker necklace?
16 inches, at the base of the neck; 14 inches is a collar, snug and high. For a fuller neck, add 2 inches.
How do you layer necklaces without tangling?
Space them 2 inches apart, mix the links, and put the heaviest piece at the bottom, where its weight holds the stack in place.
How long is an 18 inch necklace?
18 inches end to end with the clasp closed, about 45.7 cm. On most women it falls to the collarbone; on a fuller neck it sits higher, so go up 2 inches.
What length chain should a man wear?
For a first chain, 20 or 22 inches is the popular length at our store. Where 18 to 24 inches sit on a man is in our men's gold chain length guide.
Keep reading
More answers from the store: all TraxNYC buyer's guides.
Come to 47th Street, or ask the desk
The showroom is at 64 W 47th St, Booth F-1, in New York's Diamond District, on 47th Street since 2004. Hours are Monday to Friday 11 am to 6 pm ET, and Saturday and Sunday 12 pm to 4 pm ET; around a holiday, text first.
Come try two lengths on in front of a mirror. Start in the live chat, call or text 212-872-9692 from 10 AM ET, or write to sale@traxnyc.com. Before you visit, read our showroom page.
