Pendant Light Size Guide

Find your pendant size

These guides work for any single pendant. Compare them with the sizes in the product’s Dimensions tab: first the shade width, then the hanging height.

Drawn to scale under a 9 ft ceiling: over a table, and where people walk.

Common shade widths at one scale. Compare them with the sizes in the product’s Dimensions tab.

1. Choose a shade width

Center of a room

Add the room’s length and width in feet. The total is a good starting shade width in inches. For a 12 × 14 ft room, 12 + 14 = 26, so look for a shade about 26 in wide.

Room Shade width
10 × 10 ft about 20 in
10 × 12 ft about 22 in
12 × 12 ft about 24 in
12 × 14 ft about 26 in
14 × 16 ft about 30 in
16 × 18 ft about 34 in
18 × 20 ft about 38 in

If you’re between two sizes, the smaller one is a safe choice. Larger shades need a taller ceiling where people walk underneath (see step 2).

Over a dining table

Choose a shade 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 Shade 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

Long table? Use two or three pendants, each centered over an equal section of the table. For the widest shade per pendant, divide the table length by the number of pendants and subtract 12 in, then use whichever is smaller: that number or the width guide. Example: an 84 × 42 in table with two pendants gives 84 ÷ 2 − 12 = 30 in, and the width guide gives 21–28 in, so choose two shades about 21–28 in wide.

Over a kitchen island

Compact shades, about 12–18 in wide (roughly a third of the island’s depth), suit most kitchen islands. Use two or three, spaced about 24–30 in apart center to center, and keep each shade at least 6 in from the ends of the island.

Entryway

Use the room rule above, then check the walking clearance in step 2: people walk directly under an entry light. If you can, leave about 4 ft between the shade and the walls. A two-story foyer can take a much larger shade.

Beside the bed

For a pair over nightstands, choose a shade narrower than the nightstand. Hang the bottom of the shade about 42 in above the floor, about where a table lamp’s shade would sit, and keep it beside the bed rather than over the pillows.

2. Check the height

Drop means the distance from the ceiling to the bottom of the shade. It can’t be shorter than the shade height plus the canopy and a few inches of cord, so check the product’s Dimensions and Specifications.

Where people walk

Keep at least 7 ft (84 in) from the floor to the bottom of the shade.

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

If the shortest drop (see the example below) is more than the drop shown, hang it over furniture instead.

Check one size: an example

Example: a shade 14 in tall. Allow about 5 in for the canopy and a short length of cord, so its shortest drop is about 19 in. With an 8 ft ceiling, a walkway allows up to 12 in, so hang it over a table instead, where the target drop is 30–36 in. Exact canopy and cord details are in the product’s Specifications.

Over a table or island

Over a 30 in dining table, aim for 30–36 in above the tabletop 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. The drop is the number to give your installer.

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 or island: width (or diameter) and length, in inches
  • Ceiling: height from the floor, in feet and inches
  • Furniture height: tabletop or counter, in inches

Before you order

  • Exact sizes: Shade width, shade height, cord length and canopy size 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: One pendant rarely lights a whole room. In a larger room, add lamps for reading or task light.

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