See this helpful How to Pick the Perfect Chandelier Size Guide with Printable!
So you want to buy a gorgeous chandelier or a pretty pendant light to hang over a table in your dining room or kitchen?
The question is: What size of chandelier should you buy to fit your dining table and ceiling height?
As an interior designer there are many design rules of thumb and guidelines that I work with, this is one of them.
Today, I’m going to share with you the trick on picking the perfect chandelier size for your table!
A chandelier is the focal point in the room.
You want it to be sizable but not overpower the room.
House Beautiful
Chandelier Size Guide
Chandeliers vary widely in size and shape.
Dining tables vary widely in size too.
So how do you choose the right size for the width and length of your table?
These are the things you want to keep in mind: It must be big enough to provide light to everyone sitting at the table but not too big that you’ll bump into it when you are sitting down or getting up.
The Formula
A common rule of thumb is that the diameter of the chandelier should be approximately one-half to two-thirds the width of the table.
I like to use this formula: the chandelier should be 12 inches smaller than the table width (or diameter if it’s a round table).
Width of the table – 12 inches = Chandelier size
Example: if your dining room table is 42 inches wide, your chandelier should be 30 inches in diameter (42 – 12 = 30).
Here’s the handy chandelier size guide that you can print out to keep in your purse or wallet to use the next time you are shopping for a chandelier!
Chandelier Size Calculation and Chart:
|
Table Width (inches) |
Subtract 12 inches |
Chandelier Diameter (inches) |
| – 12 | = |
This is an example of a chandelier perfectly sized to provide light to everyone at the table and it’s not so large that it won’t be bumped:
If you want to place two smaller chandeliers over a long table, select a diameter that’s about one-third of the table width.
The Right Chandelier Size For Foyers
The general guideline is: A chandelier or pendant light should be 2-3 inches high for each foot of foyer ceiling height.
Taking into consideration the room height and chandelier’s height will make sure the chandelier is the right scale.
If your entryway has a high ceiling, the chandelier will have to cover a great deal of space, often hanging low in the room.
For a Two-Story Foyer With Staircase
Choose a 2 or 3-tier chandelier in order to provide the best visual result.
Hang the chandelier so that the top of the chandelier is at eye-level when standing at the top of the staircase.
Formula For The Size of Chandelier Required For The Room Size
Size For Hallways
The chandelier size for hall ways is determined by the width of the hallway.
Multiple the hallway’s width in feet by 2.5 to find the correct diameter of the chandelier in inches.
For example if the hallway’s width is 6 feet then the chandelier’s diameter should be about 21 inches (6 x 2.5)
Hang the chandelier so it’s centered in the middle of the hallway.
Hanging Tips For Long Hallways
Make sure you use multiple chandeliers that are spaced eight to ten feet apart for long hallways
Buying the correct size chandelier doesn’t need to be frustrating or intimidating!! Use this chandelier size guide to make it easy!
I hope you enjoyed using this chandelier size guide!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Better For A Chandelier To Be Too Big Or Too Small?
Slightly bigger will work.
What shape chandelier goes with a rectangle table
Can you put a round chandelier over a rectangle table?
Should a chandelier be centered in room or over table?
It should always be centered over the dining table, not centered in the room.
What to do when chandelier is not centered over table?
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Heather is a Designer, True Color Expert® and proud military wife at 
SO smart – I had no idea! Pinning!
Thanks Keri!! It’s so great to have a guide when making these sorts of decor decisions – it’s so helpful for my design clients too!!!
Great tip, Heather. I’m going to measure my table now.
Debbie 🙂
Oh great Debbie!! I’m so glad you like this guide and glad you are finding it helpful!
So helpful to know! Thank you so much for the tip, Miss Heather!
~Abby =)
Can I hang a 31”-32” chandelier over a 48” round table
A chandelier should be 12 inches smaller than the table width (or diameter if it’s a round table).
Very cool, thanks for the great tip!
So many beautiful chandeliers here! Good tip!
Great tips! Now if I could only find one I actually liked!!
LOL – it can be hard Anne!!!
Great post, Heather! Sharing on Facebook this afternoon! xo, Shannon
Great tips… Pinning!
I just dropped the laptop and ran for the measuring tape…table 42″…chandelier 30″. What a stroke of luck!!! LOL!! Thanks Heather, just shared this on our TakeSix.ca FB page!
Fabulous Tanya!! You are so funny! Glad to hear your chandy is the perfet size for your table!
Thanks for the handy tip and for the sizing chart!
Thanks for the info – just what I needed!
Great – thanks Daniela!
Do you have a guideline for a rectangular shaped light fixture to a rectangular shaped table? Thanks.
Hi May – I’d say a light fixture length that is 2/3 the length of your table would work!
I’ve been looking for chandeliers for my 46″ table and haven’t found anything I really like. Love the Kenzie Mercury Chandelier from Pottery Barn but it’s only 16″ diameter. They show it over a table and looks great. Do you think it’s too small?
http://rk.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201542/0070/kenzie-mercury-chandelier-c.jpg
I’ve been looking for chandeliers for my 46″ table and haven’t found anything I really like. Love the Kenzie Mercury Chandelier from Pottery Barn but it’s only 16″ diameter. They show it over a table and looks great. Do you think it’s too small?
It might work Lara because it’s 43″ tall – so it’s height might balance out your table size! What I’d do is ‘trial’ it in your home by cutting a sheet of newspaper 16″ diameter and placing it on your table so you can get a feel of how big it is relative to your table. I’d also call PB customer service and ask them if they think it will work with your table size. Good luck – it’s beautiful!
Great tip! Thanks for sharing! I’m changing lights out in my house and will be keeping this in mind.
Awesome!! So glad you found my post and size guide then Jayne! Have fun with your new lighting! 🙂 xo Heather
Where is this chandelier from?
Traditional Dining Room by Vancouver Architects & Designers Kerrisdale Design Inc
Thank you!
Hi ams – I don’t know where it’s from! Have a great day!
I’m soooo confused… Haha I thought you measured the dimensions of your room …example, like if your room is 15 x 11= 26 inch chandeliere…now, measuring my table I need a 40 inch chandeliere…lol this is going to cost me a fortune on chandeleirs hehe… Thanks for the tip.
Terrific Tips!! Thank you. So if I have a rectangular dining room table 71x39Wx30H, would a rectangular chandelier of H31” X W 39” Depth10” be ok?
My table is counter height 36″, 30″ w and 48″ long. A 15″ pendant light seems like it would overwhelm the table. Thoughts?
I have a 10’ ceiling and I am doing a 72” square or round table. Can that claccomodate a 43” chandelier?
I also want to know if I can fit a 43 inch chandelier in my 20’ ceiling foyer. It’s about 10 x21’
But there is a rounded staircase so the ceiling is much wider than the actual hallway floor. The current fixture I have Ana 32” and seems small.
Hi – I offer online decor services and can help you with this. I can’t answer unless I see photos of your space ect…..you can email me at [email protected] if you’d like to work together!
I’m looking at a light for over my dining table which is 73″ long. The light is rectangular with a length of 42″ and a width of 14″ . Can you give me a guideline for a rectangular light.
Thank you
The light seems to narrow at 14 inches – it should be half the width of your table – the length might be okay.
I have researched and read all the guidance. I have found a fixture I love. But even though fixture is right size (30″W), it is also 30″H. I only have 8′ ceilings. So this means 30″H table + 30″ hang clearance (minimum) + 30″ fixture only leaves me 6″ at the ceiling. Is 6″ of chain enough for a 30″ fixture. Seems odd to me….like a ceiling-hugging chandelier. Wouldn’t really have the look of a chandelier, so what’s the point. Should I stick with 30″W but go smaller in the height of the fixture? Thank you!
Heather, if I have a 50″ table but would like to hang 2 pendants vs 1 chandelier, what size should each pendant be?
Thank you!
Sorry it’s a 106″ table. 50″ is the current chandelier size.
Hi! Can you give me advice on a linear chandelier? Im assuming you would go by the length of the table and not the width? Thank you
Hi Jennifer – A linear chandelier length should be at least 12 inches less than the table length. Hope that helps!
We have an island 66 x 66 , 9 ft ceiling. What size chandelier?
My table is 90 in wide I have an open concept great room with 18 ft ceilings . My dining room is close to the kitchen . I’m trying to match or coordinate the pendant lighting from the kitchen . I’m looking a Sputnik chandelier that is 26 in wide and 29 in high . Is that too small for the table ?
I have a 12 foot table and want to purchase an oval shaped fixture what is the correct size to get?
Hi,
I have a 58’ round table. I bought a 29’ x29’ capiz shell globe light which looks enormous. I’m scared to hang it in fear it will be too large. Was looking to cozy up the room.
Could be awesome or a disaster.
Over all room size is 9×10. I pray it works 🤞🙏🏻