Chandelier Size Calculator
Enter the room's length and width, the ceiling height and, if the light hangs over a table, the table's width. The calculator gives a chandelier diameter, a good height for the fitting and how low to hang it.
- Diameter from the room
- Height from the ceiling
- Over a table or not
Enter 0 for table width when the chandelier is not over a table. Table width is in inches, or cm if you chose metres.
A simple designer's rule sizes a chandelier. Add the room's length and width in feet, and that number in inches is a good diameter. A 12 by 14 foot room suits a chandelier about 26 inches across. Allow 2.5 to 3 inches of height for each foot of ceiling.
Chandelier size chart
No table below. Search for a room size.
| Room (ft) | Diameter (in) | Height at 8 ft ceiling (in) | Height at 10 ft ceiling (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 20 | 20 to 24 | 25 to 30 |
| 12 × 12 | 24 | 20 to 24 | 25 to 30 |
| 12 × 14 | 26 | 20 to 24 | 25 to 30 |
| 14 × 16 | 30 | 20 to 24 | 25 to 30 |
| 16 × 18 | 34 | 20 to 24 | 25 to 30 |
| 20 × 20 | 40 | 20 to 24 | 25 to 30 |
For a two-storey hall, go up to about one and a half times these sizes.
Room size and diameter
Square room, 9 ft ceiling. Slide the room size.
The drawing is a side view. The space marked at the bottom is the 7 ft of headroom to keep clear.
How to size a chandelier
Room, then ceiling. Step through it.
Measure the room
Length and width.
Over a dining table, the diameter should be about half to two thirds of the table's width, and at least 12 inches narrower.
Hall, dining room or bedroom
Where it hangs. Compare them.
Make a statement.
Light the table.
Soft, central light.
In a bedroom, a smaller, flush or semi-flush fitting keeps the room from feeling crowded.
Before buying
Fitting checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Heavy chandeliers need a ceiling box rated for the weight. Ask an electrician if the fitting is over about 50 lb.
What you get
Chandelier size. Each tile explains one result.
From the room.
From the ceiling.
Headroom kept.
12 in narrower.
Size up.
Two smaller pendants can suit a long table better than one large chandelier.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
How do I work out what size chandelier I need?
Add the room's length and width in feet. Use that number in inches as the chandelier's diameter.
How high should a chandelier hang over a table?
About 30 to 34 inches from the table top to the bottom of the chandelier.
How tall should a chandelier be?
About 2.5 to 3 inches for each foot of ceiling height.
How big should a dining room chandelier be?
About half to two thirds of the table's width, and at least a foot narrower than the table.
How much headroom does a chandelier need?
Keep at least 7 feet clear between the floor and the bottom of the fitting where people walk.
Can a chandelier be too big?
Yes. A fitting that is too large crowds the room and can hit heads over a table.
What size chandelier suits a two-storey hall?
Go up to about one and a half times the room rule, and hang it so it can be seen from the upstairs window.
A chandelier in proportion
Add the room's sides for the diameter, use the ceiling for the height and keep the right clearance below. The light will look as if it was made for the room.
More size calculators
Each one has its own calculator, worked examples and answers to common questions.