Chandelier Size Guide

Find your chandelier size

Use these guides with the sizes in the product’s Dimensions tab: the width for your room or table, the height for your ceiling, and how low to hang it.

Drawn to scale under a 9 ft ceiling.

1. Choose the size

Width for the room

Add the room’s length and width in feet. The total is a good starting chandelier width in inches.

Room Chandelier width
10 Γ— 10 ft about 20 in
10 Γ— 12 ft about 22 in
12 Γ— 12 ft about 24 in
12 Γ— 14 ft about 26 in
14 Γ— 16 ft about 30 in
16 Γ— 18 ft about 34 in
18 Γ— 20 ft about 38 in
Width over a dining table

Choose a chandelier about 1/2 to 2/3 the width of your table, and at least 12 in narrower than the table. For a round table, use its diameter.

Table width Chandelier width
30 in 15–18 in
36 in 18–24 in
42 in 21–28 in
48 in 24–32 in
54 in 27–36 in
60 in 30–40 in
Height of the chandelier

Allow about 2.5 to 3 in of chandelier height for every foot of ceiling height.

Ceiling Chandelier height
8 ft 20–24 in
9 ft 22.5–27 in
10 ft 25–30 in
12 ft 30–36 in
14 ft 35–42 in
16 ft 40–48 in
18 ft 45–54 in
Two-story foyer

Keep at least 7 ft below the chandelier. Seen from the upstairs landing, it should sit around eye level or a little lower. If you can, leave about 4 ft between the chandelier and the walls.

2. Check the hanging height

Drop means the distance from the ceiling to the bottom of the chandelier, including its chain or rod.

Where people walk

Where people walk underneath, keep at least 7 ft (84 in) from the floor to the lowest point.

Ceiling Longest drop
7 ft 6 in up to 6 in
8 ft up to 12 in
9 ft up to 24 in
10 ft up to 36 in
11 ft up to 48 in
12 ft up to 60 in
14 ft up to 84 in
Over a table or island

Over a 30 in dining table, aim for 30–36 in between the tabletop and the lowest point with an 8 ft ceiling, and add about 3 in for each extra foot of ceiling. Over a 36 in counter, aim for 30–36 in.

Ceiling Dining table drop Island drop
7 ft 6 in 24–30 in 18–24 in
8 ft 30–36 in 24–30 in
9 ft 39–45 in 36–42 in
10 ft 48–54 in 48–54 in
11 ft 57–63 in 60–66 in
12 ft 66–72 in 72–78 in
14 ft 84–90 in 96–102 in

What to measure

  • Room: length and width, in feet
  • Table: width (or diameter), in inches
  • Ceiling: height from the floor
  • Stair landing: for a two-story foyer, the height of the upstairs floor

Before you order

  • Exact sizes: Width, height, chain or rod length and the number of bulbs are listed in the product’s Dimensions and Specifications.
  • Sloped ceiling: Send us the ceiling angle before ordering and we’ll confirm the fit.
  • Light: A chandelier sets the mood. Add lamps or other lights for reading and tasks.

Not sure which size fits? Send us your measurements at support@vinlighting.com.