Choosing a chain comes down to one thing: where you want it to sit. The same piece reads completely differently at the base of the neck than it does halfway down your chest. Most of our customers go for 20 in (50 cm) — it sits neatly at the base of the neck and works with just about any collar. If you're wearing a pendant, consider going one size longer: the pendant adds drop you haven't accounted for.
| Length (in) | Length (cm) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 20 in | 50 cm | Base of the neck |
| 22 in | 55 cm | Below the collarbone |
| 24 in | 60 cm | Upper chest |
| 26 in | 65 cm | Mid chest |
How to Measure
- Grab a String — A shoelace, a phone cable, any piece of string. You just need something that hangs the way a chain does.
- Drape It Around Your Neck — Let it fall where you'd want the chain to sit. Move it up and down in the mirror until it looks right.
- Measure the Length — Mark where the two ends meet, lay the string flat against a tape measure, and read off the number. Match it to the table above.
Length Guide
20 in (50 cm) — Sits at the base of the neck, close to the throat. Our most popular length and the easiest to wear day to day. Clean on its own, and it stays visible above a T-shirt collar.
22 in (55 cm) — Falls just below the collarbone. A comfortable middle ground: long enough to sit outside a crew neck, short enough to stay neat. The right step up if 20 in feels tight.
24 in (60 cm) — Sits on the upper chest. This is where pendants start to carry properly — enough drop for the piece to hang straight and be seen. Works well under an open shirt.
26 in (65 cm) — Hangs at mid-chest. The longest we'd recommend for a single chain, and the one to pick if you want the piece to read as a statement rather than a detail.
Helpful Tips
Consider Your Build — Length is measured flat, but it doesn't wear flat. Broader shoulders and a thicker neck take up more of the chain, so the same 22 in sits higher on a bigger frame. If you're broad, size up one step.
Layering Multiple Chains — Keep at least 2 inches (5 cm) between each chain so they sit in their own space instead of tangling. A 20 in with a 24 in is an easy starting pair. Mix a plain chain with a pendant rather than two pendants competing.
30-Day Returns — 30 days from the day the order arrives. Unworn, in original condition and packaging, with proof of purchase.
Still not sure?
Email support@leendel.com with your measurements, and we'll help pick the right fit.