Size guides
Chain & necklace size guide
Choose a chain length by trying the position you want with string, then comparing that measurement with the sizes of the particular necklace.
Start with where you want the chain to sit: close to the neck, below the collarbone or over clothing. Then look at the design. The Thorn Links Chain, for example, has listed lengths from 40 to 75 cm. A fine chain and a chain with thick links can fit differently even when their listed lengths match.
How to measure for a chain necklace
Take a piece of soft, non-stretch string and a ruler. Put on the shirt or knit you plan to wear with the necklace so you can compare its position with the neckline.
- Place the string around your neck in a loose loop and lower the front to the position you want. Do not pull it tight.
- Mark where the ends meet, remove the string and measure the full marked length with it laid flat.
- Write down the measurement and its unit. Try again with the nearest lengths listed for the chain you are considering.
String shows you a position; it cannot reproduce thick links or a clasp. If you are between sizes, trying a necklace of similar construction will tell you more than adding a fixed allowance.
To measure a chain you already like, open its clasp and lay it along a ruler without stretching the links. Measure from end to end, including the clasp. For an adjustable necklace, also record the fastening position you use. A photograph beside a ruler and a close-up of the clasp help compare designs. Measuring the straight span of a chain folded in half does not give its full length.
Necklace length chart: inches and centimetres
One inch is exactly 2.54 cm. An 18-inch necklace therefore measures 45.72 cm; a listed 45 cm chain is a different length. The table converts inches rather than describing STRUGA's available sizes.
| Inches | Exact conversion, cm |
|---|---|
| 14 | 35.56 |
| 16 | 40.64 |
| 18 | 45.72 |
| 20 | 50.80 |
| 22 | 55.88 |
| 24 | 60.96 |
| 28 | 71.12 |
| 30 | 76.20 |
The positions shown in necklace diagrams are approximate: neck circumference, body proportions and chain construction change the fit. Names such as collar, choker, princess, matinee, opera and rope describe groups of lengths. When ordering, use the actual measurement listed for the model.
Choosing men's and women's chain lengths
For a shorter necklace, you can begin by comparing 40, 45 and 50 cm. To try a lower position, compare 50, 55 and 60 cm. These are starting points for a fitting, rather than sizes that fit all men or all women. Neck circumference and the clothing you wear are more useful guides.
A 45 cm chain may form a loose loop on one person and sit close to the base of the neck on another. A larger neck leaves less chain length at the front. Adding 10 cm to your neck measurement cannot predict exactly where a pendant or clasp will sit; try the position with string instead.
How chain width and a pendant change the fit
Once you have a length in mind, look at the links. A wide chain takes up more space at the neck, and its internal opening depends on link thickness and shape. When trying it on, turn your head, sit down and fasten your collar. Check for pressure and for links catching on fabric.
A pendant changes the shape of the loop at the front. Try the chain and pendant together, checking the pendant's size, position and whether the chain and clasp pass through its bail. There is no fixed rule that a heavy pendant on a 50 cm chain will sit like a bare 55 cm chain.
What chains of the same length weigh
Matching lengths can have very different weights. These are the values listed for the catalogue variants, useful for comparing models before a fitting. They are not a separate weighing of the particular piece you will receive.
| Model | 40 cm | 45 cm | 50 cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorn Links Chain | 11 g | 12 g | 13 g |
| Signature Asymmetric Links Choker | 27 g | 30 g | 33 g |
| Small Beads with Heart Choker | 27 g | 30 g | 33 g |
| Blade Mini Links V.1 Choker | 80 g | 90 g | 110 g |
For Blade Mini Links V.1, the listed increase from 40 to 45 cm is 10 g, while the increase from 45 to 50 cm is 20 g. The change is not constant. Thorn also has a 75 cm option listed at 18 g. Compare the actual variant rather than calculating its weight from a shorter one.
How to choose a choker size
Measure your neck where you want the choker to sit. The tape should touch your skin without pressing into it. Keep this measurement separate from the necklace length: the links, clasp and room for movement all affect the fit.
The models in the table have 40, 45 and 50 cm options, but their size labels differ. Thorn uses XS, S and M for those lengths; Signature Asymmetric Links lists the centimetres themselves. Do not choose by the letter alone. Try the particular design while moving, especially if you want a close fit.
Wearing two or three chains together
Start with two lengths that stay visibly separate on you. You might compare 45 and 55 cm, then add a third chain if there is room for it. A 10 cm difference is an example to try; check how the chains move together.
Wear the whole set with your usual clothing and walk around. Check whether pendants collide, clasps twist or a short chain slips under the longer one. See the necklace layering guide for more ways to combine them.
If the listed lengths do not suit you
Send STRUGA a message with the model, your neck circumference, the length of your fitting string and the position you want. Include a photograph of a comfortable chain beside a ruler if you are using one as a reference. A different length can be discussed through Custom Order; confirm what is possible before ordering.
For the international market, STRUGA objects are made in Bali. If you are choosing a chain on the island, check current places to try pieces on through Where to buy. Availability of the particular model and length still needs checking.
Objects from this guide
- Thorn Links Chain | STRUGA
- Signature Asymmetric Links Choker | STRUGA
- Small Beads with Heart Choker | STRUGA
- Blade Mini Links V.1 Choker | STRUGA
Related reading
Sources: Tiffany — trying lengths with string and allowing for a pendant; Blue Nile — measuring end to end, including the clasp; NIST — the exact inch conversion. Catalogue variants checked 18 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
If you didn’t find the answer, write to us. We reply personally.
Ask a question →01What length necklace should I get?+–
Try the position you want with non-stretch string, measure the full loop and compare it with the lengths listed for the particular model. You can compare 40, 45 and 50 cm on yourself, but none of those lengths fits everyone in the same way.
02Where does an 18 inch necklace sit?+–
An 18-inch necklace measures 45.72 cm. It may sit near the base of the neck or below the collarbone, depending on neck circumference, body proportions and the links. Try a string cut to that length. A listed 45 cm chain is slightly shorter.
03Where does a 20 inch chain sit?+–
A 20-inch chain measures 50.8 cm. Its position depends on your neck, body proportions and the chain's construction. Compare it with a shorter length using string, then try the actual chain with the clothes and pendant you plan to wear.
04What is the standard men's chain length?+–
There is no single length that fits all men. You can begin by comparing 50, 55 and 60 cm loops of string and choosing a position. Then check the particular model's listed measurements and link thickness. Do not treat approximate inch labels as exact centimetre equivalents.
05How do I measure my necklace length?+–
Place non-stretch string loosely around your neck at the position you want, mark where the ends meet and measure the full marked length. Try it over the clothes you will wear the necklace on, or against bare skin if it will sit beneath clothing.
06How do I measure a necklace I already own?+–
Open the clasp and lay the chain flat without stretching it. Measure from end to end, including the clasp. For an adjustable design, note the fastening position you use. If the new chain has a different clasp or thicker links, photographs of your existing chain beside a ruler will help compare the fit.
07Does neck size change the length I need?+–
Yes. A larger neck leaves less chain length available to hang at the front. Record your neck circumference separately and try the desired loop with string. A fixed allowance added to the circumference cannot predict exactly where a pendant will sit.
08What length works for a pendant?+–
Choose the length with the actual pendant, checking its position against your collarbone and neckline. Make sure the chain and clasp pass through its bail. The pendant's weight changes the loop's shape but does not give you a fixed correction in centimetres or inches.
09Can I wear two chains at different lengths?+–
Yes. Try them together and check that they remain separate when you move. A 45 and 55 cm pair is one combination to compare. The space needed depends on the links and pendants; a fixed difference in length does not prevent every tangle.
