How to Measure Your Neck for the Perfect Necklace Fit

Getting the right necklace size starts with one simple measurement: your actual neck circumference. This is especially important for chokers, collars, and other close-fitting necklaces where even half an inch can make a noticeable difference.

Measuring with a soft tape measure

Wrap a flexible sewing tape measure around your neck where you want the necklace to sit.

Keep the tape comfortably against your skin, but do not pull it tight. You should be able to breathe, swallow, and move normally. Remember that a metal necklace does not stretch or have the give that fabric, ribbon, or a measuring tape does.

The number where the tape meets is your neck circumference.

Don't have a tape measure? Use a string

A piece of non-stretchy string, ribbon, or cord works just as well.

Wrap it around your neck where you'd like the necklace to sit, keeping it comfortably snug but not tight. Mark or pinch the point where the ends meet.

Then lay the string completely flat and measure it against a ruler or regular measuring tape.

Don't stretch the string while measuring it, and avoid stretchy cord, elastic, or yarn, as these can give you an inaccurate measurement.

A 14" neck doesn't necessarily mean a 14" necklace

This is particularly important with rigid collars, thick chains and chunky necklaces.

We measure our necklaces on a professional necklace sizing cone, rather than simply laying them flat and measuring from end to end. This accounts for the width, thickness and bend of the metal when the necklace curves around the neck.

A chunky or rigid necklace can measure differently when laid flat than it does when actually worn. Our sizing method is designed to give you the most useful measurement: the circumference the necklace fits when curved around the neck.

How tight should you measure?

Unless you specifically want an extremely close fit, don't pull the measuring tape tightly around your neck.

For example, if your comfortable neck measurement is 13 inches, don't pull the tape tighter until you can make it read 12½ inches. A tape measure bends and conforms easily; a metal collar does not.

For our close-fitting necklaces, give us your true, comfortable neck measurement and let the necklace do the fitting.

One last tip

Measure twice before ordering—especially for a precision-fit collar.

Neck size isn't necessarily related to clothing size, height, or body weight, so guessing rarely works as well as taking 30 seconds to measure.

And if you're between sizes or aren't sure which size will give you the look you want, send us a message before ordering. We're always happy to help with sizing.