Chandelier Size Calculator
A chandelier that's too small looks lost, and one hung too low gets in the way. Enter your room, ceiling height and table size to find the right chandelier diameter, fixture height and hanging height.
Result
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How this calculator works
For a chandelier in the middle of a room or an entryway, the calculator uses a simple designer rule: add the room's length and width in feet, and use that number in inches for the diameter. A 14 × 12 foot room suits a chandelier about 26 inches across.
Over a dining table, the table matters more than the room. The chandelier should be one-half to two-thirds as wide as the table, and at least 12 inches narrower so nobody bumps their head when standing up.
The fixture itself should be 2.5 to 3 inches tall for every foot of ceiling height. Over a table, the bottom hangs 30 to 34 inches above the tabletop on an 8-foot ceiling, and 3 inches higher for each extra foot. Where people walk underneath, the bottom must be at least 7 feet from the floor.
Tips for a better result
Centre it on the table, not the room
Over a dining table, hang the chandelier in the middle of the table even if the table is off-centre in the room. The light should relate to the thing it is lighting.
Check the chain and the ceiling box
Most chandeliers come with a standard length of chain that you shorten or lengthen. The calculator tells you the drop for each fixture, so you can ask your electrician to cut the chain to length. Make sure the ceiling box is rated for the weight of the fixture.
Think about sight lines
A solid, dark fixture feels heavier than an open or glass one of the same size. Over a table where people face each other across it, choose a lighter design or hang it a little higher.
Mind the dimmer
A dimmer switch makes a chandelier far more flexible. Bright for homework and cleaning, low and warm for dinner. It is worth adding if you do not already have one.
Limitations of This Estimate
These are proportion guidelines used by designers, not safety or electrical advice. The calculator does not check the weight of the fixture, your ceiling construction or local electrical codes, so ask a qualified electrician to confirm the fixing and the wiring.
It also assumes a flat ceiling. On a sloped or vaulted ceiling the hanging height is measured from the lowest point people will walk under, and the chain length will need to be worked out on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a chandelier one-half to two-thirds as wide as your table, and at least 12 inches narrower than the table. For a 40-inch-wide table, that's a chandelier 20 to 27 inches across. For a long rectangular table, a linear chandelier half to two-thirds the length of the table also works well.
Hang the bottom 30 to 34 inches above the tabletop if your ceiling is 8 feet high. Add 3 inches for each extra foot of ceiling: 33 to 37 inches for a 9-foot ceiling, 36 to 40 inches for 10 feet.
About 26 inches in diameter. Add the room's length and width in feet (12 + 14 = 26) and use that number in inches. Anything from 24 to 28 inches will look in proportion.
Over a dining table, yes, because nobody walks underneath it. In the middle of a room where people walk, the bottom needs to be at least 7 feet from the floor, which leaves only 12 inches for the fixture. A flush or semi-flush ceiling light is usually a better choice there.
Related Calculators
Dining Table Size Calculator
Pick the table first, then size the light to suit it.
Use the Dining Table Size Calculator