Chandelier Size Calculator: Find the perfect size for every shape table and room (with illustrations)
Choosing the perfect chandelier can be an overwhelming decision. There are lots of factors to consider. I’m going to help you take all of the guesswork out of the equation.
There are two different size measurements, one for chandeliers that will hang over a table and one for chandeliers in a room. Once you have your chandelier, there are more measurements to consider like how low should it hang from the ceiling?
This is a simple, straightforward answer to your all of your chandelier size questions. If you have specific questions about a chandelier you are considering purchasing, leave a comment with the details of your room size or table size.
Size Calculator: Chandelier Over A Table
The formula for a chandelier size over a table is:
Table width in inches – 12 = maximum chandelier width
This formula works if you have a square or circular table. For example, if you have a 42-inch square or circular table, you want a 30-inch wide chandelier. If your table is rectangular, you still use the same formula for the width of the table, but you might want to consider a chandelier that isn’t round but more rectangular.
Rectangular chandeliers – If your chandelier is rectangular, the chandelier should not be closer than 12 inches from the long ends of the table.
Size Calculator: Chandelier For A Room
Use this formula if you are looking for a chandelier for your bedroom, living room, entry or any room where there is no table.
Room width in feet + Room Length in Feet = maximum chandelier width in inches
To give you an example, a room that is 12 feet wide by 14 feet long should have a 26-inch chandelier. You can go larger, but if you size down the chandelier might look too small for the space.
Size Calculator: Chandelier Height Over A Table
The rule of thumb for chandelier height is:
30-36″ above the table
This formula should be adjusted for the height of your ceiling. You can read more about the ideal height for a chandelier and how to adjust it here.
Size Calcultor: Chandelier Height For A Room
The height of a chandelier in a living room, bedroom, entry or any other room depends on the height of the ceiling.
For 8 foot ceiling, hang chandelier with bottom 7 feet from the ground
If your ceilings are higher than eight feet, the chandelier shouldn’t be hung higher than eight feet. If you have a chandelier hanging in an open 2-story area, it should not hang below the first story.
If you have specific questions about what size chandelier will best in your space, leave a comment. I love to see other people’s lighting and it’s always nice to get a second opinion.
What great tips Andrea, I know my chandelier is outdated and I will have to use this to select the next one.
Wow – you make it so easy Andrea! I’ve got a couple chandeliers in boxes waiting to be hung, and now I know how to do it, and even where to put one of them that I couldn’t decide before! Thanks for the completely useful info and inspiration! Happy Sunday!
Hi Andrea!
Thank you for your easy formula. My livingroom is 15’ L x 21’ W. I know I shouldn’t get a chandelier less than 36” but how big should I go if I want the chandelier to be the focal design element in the room?
Madelyn,
I think I would focus on finding one that you love the look of first. Then you can narrow it down by size. You can go bigger, but not if the ones you love don’t come that large. I would also look at how high your ceilings are. You can definitely go bigger than 36″ if your ceilings are 10 feet high. Its hard to say exactly how big you can go, do you have one in mind? If so share a link to it. I hope this helps.
Andrea
Redoing our kitchen and having difficulty placing chandelier. the window is off center. we opened wall to LR and centered chandelier on dining area window. problem the table and chairs are too close to pantries which go into dining area. purchased 24” chandelier as table was 48” round. if we open table with 18” leaf it fills the space better. I could send pictures so you could visualize better.
The chandelier should be in the center of the table even if that’s not the center of the window. I would love photo if you’re willing to share you can always email me at [email protected]. I don’t think 24″ is too large for 48 inch round table.
Thanks for your question!
Andrea
Hi
I fell in love with this lil beauty. My dinning room table is 35×66 … is 25 in chandelier going to be big?
Maria,
The rules are only meant to be a guide. It sounds like it’s close enough if you LOVE it that’s the most important thing. It’s pretty close to meeting the size (only 2inches off). I would love to see it.
Andrea
Hi, my table is 38 x 62
The chandelier I love is 32 x13
Do you think the chandelier will be too big?
Diane,
The rules are meant as a guideline. That size sounds like it is NOT too big. Following the formula you could get one that is 26×50. The most important dimension for a rectangular table is the width, not the length.
If your fixture is more than 26 inches wide, you might feel like you would bump into it when they stand up. A 13″ wide fixture is not too big. But the most important measure is always whether you LOVE the fixture. It sounds like you do. I would go for it. I would love to see a picture.
Hope this helps.
Andrea
Hi Andrea! I have an island that is 50×70. The island is about 43’’ tall. The chandelier I love comes in 30’’ diameter and 20’’ high Or 21’’ diameter and 15 high. My ceiling is approximately 10 feet slanted. I’m leaning toward the smaller one since I don’t necessarily want the chandelier to take too much focus from the backsplash and views out window. Do you think the small is ok? The large one just seems so massive(but also beautiful). Thank you!
Autumn,
If you have sloped ceilings you can definitely use a bigger one. But you don’t have to.
If you want to showcase the windows and the backsplash you can let those be the star of the space and go with the smaller one. Many people don’t have a great view from their island, so the chandelier has more of a starring role. If that were the case I would say go with the larger one. But this doesn’t sound like your situation.
If you want to share photos and links I’m happy to take a look. Sometimes I can crop out the background and show you what it will look like over YOUR island.
I hope this helps.
Andrea
Hi Andrea, love your site!
Our bedroom is 18ft x 14 ft, with tiered ceiling (8 ft over bed, but they up to 10ft in other areas). we found a chandelier we love, but think its too big… 35 inches wide (so a few inches bigger than the basic guidelines, which would suggest 32 inches), but its also 31 inches high. the plan is obviously to put it where the ceiling is 10 feet, but at a minimum of 7ft, that only leaves us 5 inches to play with for either the chain or more headroom (my wife and i are both tall, I’m 6’5!). feels too big, but would love your view!
Todd,
Thanks for your question! It really depends on what the top of the fixture looks like. There are some chandeliers that look like they are meant to have a short drop from the ceiling. Here’s a visual example. https://www.visualcomfort.com/classic-two-tier-ring-chandelier-sl5813/.
How close are the bulbs to the top? If they are not close or there’s not a lot of visual bulk at the top of the fixture, it should be OK.
Can you see examples of the one you really like in a room with a short drop? If you want to send me a link, I am curious to see.
There are sometimes smaller versions of the same fixture, which might also work, 2-tiers vs 3-tiers. Sometimes I take a screen shot of the one I like and ask google to do an image search to find similar items.
I hope this helps.
Andrea
Hi! This is great! My son is building his home now. We are not ready for lights but searching. He has an open floor concept-vaulted ceiling kitchen and living room. The light I like for above his kitchen island is 44 in. The island is 60 wide by 36. The island and lighting are rectangular.
That sounds like a good fit for your island. The vaulted ceiling gives you the chance to go big. I’m glad it was helpful.
Andrea