Most men who give up on a pendant don't give up because of the pendant. They give up because of the chain. Too short and it chokes the collar and flips over. Too long and it disappears into the shirt, swings when you lean over, and taps against the desk.
Getting the length right takes two minutes and a piece of string. Here is how.
The standard men's lengths
Chains are sold in inches in the US and centimetres almost everywhere else. These are the common sizes and where each one sits on an average adult man (around 5'9"–5'11", collar size 15–16).
| Length | Where it sits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 18 in / 45 cm | At the base of the neck, collarbone height | Slim chains alone; small pendants. Often too tight on larger necks. |
| 20 in / 50 cm | Just below the collarbone | The most common men's length. Shows in an open collar or a crew neck. |
| 22 in / 55 cm | A few centimetres below the collarbone | Medium pendants; a good default if you are broader or taller. |
| 24 in / 60 cm | Upper chest | Larger pendants, worn over or under a T-shirt. |
| 26 in / 65 cm | Mid-chest, near the sternum | Substantial pendants and amulets; worn under a shirt or over a dark knit. |
| 30 in / 76 cm | Lower chest | Statement pieces over clothing. Long for daily wear. |
Two adjustments to the table: add one size if your neck is larger than average or you are broad through the chest, and subtract one if you are slim and slight. A chain sits higher on a thick neck than the label suggests.
Measure yourself with a piece of string
- Take a piece of string or a phone charger cable and drape it around your neck.
- Hold the two ends together where you would like the pendant to hang. Look in a mirror, wearing the kind of shirt you wear most.
- Pinch the point, lay the string flat and measure it. That number is your chain length.
- Remember the pendant itself hangs below the chain. A 5 cm pendant on a 60 cm chain reaches lower than 60 cm alone would suggest, so if your pendant is large, measure to where you want its top to sit.
If you already own a chain you like, simply lay it flat and measure clasp to clasp.
Match the length to the pendant
The size of the pendant changes everything. A rule of thumb that works well:
- Small pendants (under 2.5 cm): 50–55 cm. They get lost lower down.
- Medium pendants (2.5–4 cm): 55–60 cm. Room to hang without crowding the collar.
- Large pendants and amulets (4 cm and up): 60–70 cm. A heavy carved piece needs space below the collarbone to hang straight and not flip.
Hand-carved pendants tend to be dense and three-dimensional. A cast pendant of the same outline may weigh half as much. That extra weight is a reason to go longer: a longer chain lets a heavy piece settle flat on the chest instead of riding up against the collarbone. Our Sun and Moon pendant, for example, is offered with a 65 cm titanium bead chain.
Match the length to how you dress
- Dress shirt, top button open: 50–55 cm shows just at the collar; 60 cm and longer stays hidden.
- Crew-neck T-shirt: 55–60 cm sits just under the neckline if you want it hidden; 60–65 cm worn over the shirt reads as deliberate.
- V-neck or henley: 55–60 cm lands the pendant in the opening.
- Knitwear and jackets: 65 cm and longer, worn over a dark knit, is where large carved pieces look their best.
Chain thickness and style
A heavy pendant on a hair-thin chain looks unbalanced and puts stress on the chain. As a rough guide, a pendant weighing more than about 15 grams wants a chain of at least 2.5–3 mm. Common choices for men:
- Box and wheat chains: strong, clean, flexible. A wheat chain has a braided look that suits carved work.
- Cuban and curb chains: bold and flat. Better for wearing on their own than for carrying a detailed pendant, which can compete with them.
- Bead or ball chains: light, comfortable and quiet. Titanium bead chains are very light, which makes them comfortable for a heavier pendant.
- Cord or leather: relaxed and adjustable, but cords wear and should be replaced over time.
Three common mistakes
- Buying the length you wore at 20. Necks change. Measure again.
- Ignoring the bail. The loop at the top of the pendant must be wide enough for your chain to pass through, including the clasp if you want to swap chains.
- Choosing by the photo. Product photos are styled on models of all sizes. Trust your string measurement over the picture.
The quick answer
If you only remember one thing: for most men, 55–60 cm (22–24 in) is the safe choice for a medium pendant, and 60–65 cm (24–26 in) for a large carved amulet. Measure once with a string to confirm, and you will never have a pendant that sits in the wrong place again.
Pendants mentioned or suited to longer chains: Sun and Moon Pendant · Odin Necklace · Naga Pendant · Garuda Vajra Pendant.
More from the Journal: What Is an Amulet Necklace?