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Chandelier Size Calculator

Chandelier diameter in inches = room length + width in feet (12 × 14 ft gives 26 in), or half to two thirds of the table width, hung 30 to 36 in above the table.

Units
Where it hangs
in

The short side of a rectangular table, or the diameter of a round one.

in

Used for a linear chandelier over a long table.

in
Room length
ft
in

Length plus width in feet gives the diameter in inches.

Room width
ft
in
Ceiling height
ft
in
in

Without chain. It sets the chain length you need.

Chandelier diameter over the table

18 to 24in

Half to two thirds of the table width. By the room rule, a 14 ft by 12 ft room gives 26 in.
63 in33 in
Hang above the table
33 in to 39 in
Bottom above the floor
63 in
Drop from the ceiling
45 in
Chain or stem length
21 in
Linear fixture length
36 in to 48 in
The math

  1. Diameter

    table width 36 in × ½ to ⅔ = 18 in to 24 in

  2. Hang above table

    30 in + 3 in × (ceiling 9 ft − 8 ft), up to 6 in more = 33 in to 39 in

  3. Chain

    ceiling 9 ft − bottom 63 in − fixture 24 in = 21 in

The bottom height uses the low end of the hanging range. Hang a little higher for a larger fixture or a taller family.

Chandelier diameter in inches = room length + room width in feet, so a 12 × 14 ft room takes a 26 in chandelier. Over a table it is half to two thirds of the table width (an 18 to 24 in fixture over a 36 in table), hung 30 to 36 in above the table on an 8 ft ceiling, and 3 in higher for every extra foot of ceiling.

How the chandelier size is calculated

There are two ways to size the fixture: by the room and by the table. The calculator shows the room rule in every mode and the table rule when you pick "Over a table".

Diameter (in) = room length (ft) + room width (ft); over a table: ½ to ⅔ × table width; height above table = 30 in + 3 in per foot of ceiling over 8 ft (range +6 in)

Visual Comfort states the first rule as "the width and length in feet equals the ideal chandelier diameter in inches" and the second as "one half to two thirds the width of your table". Seus Lighting gives the same fraction (a 60 in round table takes a 30 to 40 in chandelier) and the height rule: 30 to 36 in above the table at an 8 ft ceiling, add 3 in for every additional foot. These are designers' rules of thumb, not codes, so treat the results as a starting range.

Worked example: dining room

The table is 36 in wide, 72 in long and 30 in high; the ceiling is 9 ft and the fixture is 24 in tall.

  1. Diameter: 36 × ½ = 18 in and 36 × ⅔ = 24 in. A 12 × 14 ft room rule gives 26 in, so a 24 in fixture satisfies both.
  2. Height above the table: 30 in + 3 in for the extra foot = 33 in, up to 39 in.
  3. Bottom of the chandelier: 30 in table + 33 in = 63 in above the floor.
  4. Chain: 108 in ceiling − 63 in − 24 in fixture = 21 in.

For a long table a linear chandelier works too. Seus Lighting says a 72 in table needs a 36 to 48 in linear fixture: half to two thirds of the length. Center it over the table, not the room.

Chandelier hanging height by ceiling

CeilingAbove the tableBottom above the floor (30 in table)
8 ft30 to 36 in60 in
9 ft33 to 39 in63 in
10 ft36 to 42 in66 in
11 ft39 to 45 in69 in
12 ft42 to 48 in72 in

Chandelier size for an entry or living room

Away from a table there is no surface to measure from, so the calculator uses the room rule for the diameter and a floor clearance for the height: Visual Comfort says at least 7 ft in living spaces and up to 8 ft in higher ceilings, and Seus Lighting gives 7 ft (84 in) as the minimum over walking areas. The Entry mode uses 7 ft for ceilings up to 9 ft and 8 ft above that. In a 9 ft entry the bottom sits at 84 in and a 24 in fixture then needs a 0 in chain (108 − 84 − 24 = 0), so a fixture taller than that will not fit at 7 ft.

What to plan next

Choose the dining table size first, because the chandelier width follows the table width. Then size the rug under the table. Check that the room has enough light with the lumens calculator and layout any recessed lighting around the fixture. If the room also has a fan, see the ceiling fan size calculator. All tools are in room planning.