Pendant Light Hanging Height: Island, Dining Table, Bedside and Hallway

Pendant height is the one lighting decision you can't undo by moving a lamp. Set it right the first time with these numbers. Everything below is measured from the bottom of the pendant.

Kitchen island or counter

• Height: 30–36 in (75–90 cm) above the countertop. Go to the top of that range if anyone in the house is over 6 ft or the pendants have wide shades.
• How many: two pendants for an island up to 6 ft (1.8 m), three for 7–9 ft (2.1–2.7 m). Odd numbers look intentional; even numbers over long islands look like a mistake.
• Spacing: 24–30 in (60–75 cm) between pendant centers, and at least 6 in (15 cm) from each end of the island to the edge of the outer shade.
• Size: one pendant per 2–3 ft of island. Shades should not extend past the island edge.

Dining table

• Height: 30–36 in (75–90 cm) above the tabletop for an 8 ft ceiling. Add 3 in (7.5 cm) for every extra foot of ceiling height.
• Size: a single pendant should be one-half to two-thirds the table width. Multiple pendants over a long table: spread them so the outer shades sit roughly 12 in (30 cm) inside the table ends.

Bedside

Pendants replace table lamps and free the nightstand. Hang the bottom 20–24 in (50–60 cm) above the nightstand, or 50–55 in (125–140 cm) above the floor, and center each pendant over the nightstand, not the bed edge. Put them on separate switches.

Entryway, hallway, stairwell

Anywhere people walk under it: bottom at least 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor. In a stairwell, measure from the highest tread the fixture hangs over, not from the landing.

Bathroom

Over a freestanding tub, most codes require the bottom of the fixture to be at least 8 ft (2.4 m) above the tub rim or 3 ft (0.9 m) outside it horizontally. Beside a mirror, treat it like a bedside pendant: bottom around 60–66 in (150–168 cm) from the floor, so it lights the face without glare.

Sloped ceilings

A pendant on a rigid rod hangs at the ceiling's angle. You want a cord or chain, or a canopy with a swivel, so the fixture hangs plumb. Most of our pendants ship on adjustable cord; confirm the maximum drop before ordering.

Before you order

1. Measure ceiling height at the exact mounting point.
2. Subtract the target height above the surface and the surface height itself. That is the drop you need.
3. Check the fixture's maximum drop is at least that number (on the product page, or ask us). A pendant can always be shortened; it can't be lengthened.

Example: 9 ft ceiling (108 in), island counter at 36 in, target 33 in above the counter. Drop needed = 108 − 36 − 33 = 39 in (100 cm). Any pendant with a max drop of 40 in or more works.

See the Pendant Lights collection. For fixtures over a dining table, the chandelier sizing guide covers diameter.