How to Choose a Necklace Length: The Ultimate Custom Jewelry Sizing Guide for Men & Women

Ordering a custom piece of jewelry is an incredibly exciting process. However, right before hitting checkout, you face one critical decision: What is the right necklace length?

At XNJewelry, we slow-craft every piece to order. In this ultimate sizing guide, we teach you exactly how to choose the perfect necklace length for men and women.

Quick Summary: Standard Necklace Lengths

• 16 Inches: Sits tightly around the base of the throat. Best for petite frames and layering.
• 18 Inches: The most popular choice for women. Rests elegantly on the collarbone.
• 20 Inches: Sits a few inches below the collarbone. Ideal for plunging necklines or men's chains.
• 22–24 Inches: Rests near the center of the chest. The gold standard for men's heavy pendants.

Women's Necklace Sizing Guide

• 16-Inch: Perfect for layering. Try our Custom Initial Tag Necklace or Custom Monogram Initial Necklace at this length.
• 18-Inch (The Sweet Spot): Perfect for our Custom Name Necklace, Birthstone Heart Charm Necklace, and Birthstone Circle Necklace. If buying as a gift and unsure of size, choose 18 inches.
• 20-Inch: Our Custom Letter Lariat Necklace and Script Name Lariat look stunning at this length.

Men's Necklace Sizing Guide

• 20-Inch: Sleek and low-profile, resting at the base of the neck.
• 22-Inch: The absolute sweet spot for men's custom jewelry.
• 24-Inch: Sits in the center of the chest. Ideal for statement pendants.

How to Measure Your Neck at Home

1. Take a flexible piece of string or yarn.
2. Wrap it around your neck where you want the pendant to sit.
3. Mark the meeting point, lay flat against a ruler, and measure in inches. Round up to the nearest even number.

Shop Our Personalized Necklaces

• Custom Name Necklace — Bestselling everyday name necklace in gold, silver & rose gold.
• Custom Name Necklace with Birthstone Heart Charm — Name + birthstone, perfect at 18".
• Custom Initial Tag Necklace — Minimalist initial charm, great for layering at 16"-18".
• Custom Letter Lariat Necklace (3–12 Letters) — Cascading letter design, stunning at 20".
• Custom Initial Necklace with Birthstone Heart — 1–3 letters + 1–4 stones.
• Custom Engraved Disc Necklace with Diamond Accents — Elegant disc pendant, perfect at 18".
• Custom Initial Charm Necklace (1–4 Teardrop Pendants) — Delicate teardrop letter pendants for layering.

Related Guides

• The Ultimate Necklace Size Guide 2026
• How to Choose the Best Necklace Length for Your Neckline
• How to Measure Your Neck for the Perfect Necklace Length

Measure your ideal length, choose your style, and engineer a premium keepsake built to rest over your heart forever.