Necklace Length Guide: Choker to Rope
Necklace lengths have names that tell you nothing unless you already know them. Here's where each one actually falls, and how to pick.
The standard lengths
- Collar — 12 to 13 inches. Sits tight against the neck. Dramatic, and not for everyone.
- Choker — 14 to 16 inches. At the base of the neck. Flattering with open necklines.
- Princess — 17 to 19 inches. The most common length, sitting just below the collarbone. The safest choice for a gift.
- Matinee — 20 to 24 inches. Falls at the top of the bust. Good over jumpers and higher necklines.
- Opera — 28 to 36 inches. Below the bust, and can be doubled into a two-strand choker.
- Rope — 36 inches and longer. Very versatile: wear long, doubled or knotted.
How many beads is that?
Our bead sizer and planner counts the beads for any of these lengths at any bead size, allows for spacers, and tells you how many 16-inch strands to buy.
Choosing for the person
Measure an existing necklace they wear and like — laid flat and doubled — rather than guessing. Failing that, 18 inches is the statistically safest gift length for an adult woman.
Neck size matters more than height. Add an inch or two to the standard lengths for a fuller neck, so the necklace sits where it's meant to rather than tighter.
Matching the neckline
The general principle is that the necklace should either sit above the neckline or well below it, not fight with it. A crew neck suits a choker or a princess; a V-neck looks best with something that follows the V, so princess or matinee; a high polo neck carries longer matinee and opera lengths beautifully.
Remember the clasp. Your stated length should include the clasp and any extender chain. It's easy to string 18 inches of beads, add a clasp, and end up with a 19½ inch necklace that hangs lower than intended.
Bracelets, for reference
Adult bracelets are usually 7 inches, with 6½ for smaller wrists and 7½ for larger. Measure the wrist and add half an inch for a snug fit, or a full inch for a looser drape. Beaded bracelets need slightly more than chain, because the beads themselves take up space around the curve.
Questions we're often asked
What is the most common necklace length?
18 inches — the princess length — sitting just below the collarbone. It suits most necklines and most people, which is why it's the standard gift choice.
How do I measure for a necklace?
Use a tape measure or a piece of string around the neck, letting it fall where you'd like the necklace to sit, then measure the string. Or measure a necklace they already wear, laid flat and doubled.
Does the clasp count in the length?
Yes. The stated length of a finished necklace includes the clasp and any extender, so allow for them when planning how many beads to string.