Chandelier Sizing Guide: Diameter and Hanging Height by Room and Table
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Most chandeliers that look wrong were bought at the wrong size, not the wrong style. Two measurements settle it: the room, and whatever the chandelier hangs over. Take both before you shop.
Step 1: Size it to the room
Add the room's length and width in feet. That number, in inches, is the chandelier diameter for an open room.
| Room (ft) | Length + width | Chandelier diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 20 | 20 in (50 cm) |
| 12 × 12 | 24 | 24 in (60 cm) |
| 12 × 16 | 28 | 28 in (70 cm) |
| 14 × 20 | 34 | 34 in (85 cm) |
| 16 × 24 | 40 | 40 in (100 cm) |
Rooms with high ceilings can take a step up: for every foot of ceiling above 8 ft, add 2–3 in to the diameter so the fixture doesn't look lost.
Step 2: Size it to the table
Over a dining table the table wins, not the room. The chandelier should be one-half to two-thirds the width of the table, and never wider than the table minus 12 in (30 cm) on each side, so nobody hits their head standing up.
| Table width | Chandelier diameter |
|---|---|
| 36 in (90 cm) | 18–24 in (45–60 cm) |
| 42 in (105 cm) | 21–28 in (55–70 cm) |
| 48 in (120 cm) | 24–32 in (60–80 cm) |
| 60 in round (150 cm) | 30–40 in (75–100 cm) |
For a long rectangular table, a linear chandelier should be one-half to two-thirds the table's length, centered.
Step 3: Hanging height
- Over a table: the bottom of the fixture 30–36 in (75–90 cm) above the tabletop for an 8 ft ceiling. Add 3 in (7.5 cm) for every foot of ceiling above 8 ft.
- In an open room or hallway: the bottom at least 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor.
- Two-story foyer: hang it so the bottom sits level with the second floor, and never below the top of the front door.
Most of our chandeliers ship with an adjustable chain or cord. Check the drop against your ceiling height before ordering rather than after; if it isn't on the page, ask us.
Step 4: Enough light
A dining room needs roughly 30–40 lumens per square foot. A 12 × 14 ft room is 168 sq ft, so plan for 5,000–6,700 lumens across the chandelier and any other fixtures. With standard 800-lumen bulbs that is six to eight bulbs, or fewer if the chandelier is the only light and runs brighter LED modules. Put it on a dimmer either way.
Worked example
Dining room 12 × 14 ft, 9 ft ceiling, 42 in wide table. Room rule says 26 in; table rule says 21–28 in. Pick 24–26 in. Hang the bottom 33–39 in above the table (30–36 in plus 3 in for the ninth foot of ceiling).
Browse our Chandeliers and Pendant Lights. Diameter is listed on every product page; where the drop isn't shown, ask us and we'll confirm it before you order.