How do you measure the length of a necklace?

Necklace length is measured as the total end-to-end length of the chain in centimetres, clasp included. A flexible tape measure gives the most accurate reading; if you only have a rigid ruler, lay a piece of string along the chain, mark the endpoints, then measure the string flat. Standard lengths run from 40 cm (sits at the collarbone) to 90 cm (drops to the sternum or below), and the number tells you exactly where the pendant will sit on your body. That placement matters more than personal preference alone: a 45 cm chain centres a solitaire pendant at the neckline, while a 70 cm chain positions the same piece mid-chest. If you are ordering online and unsure of your size, measure a necklace you already wear comfortably and use that figure as your reference. Sizing a chain correctly before purchase saves the effort of a later adjustment.