Free tool

Chandelier Size & Hanging Height Calculator

Fixture diameter and hang height for any room.

The two questions everyone asks before buying a light fixture: how big should it be, and how far above the dining table should it hang? Enter your room and table and see the answer drawn to scale.

Chandelier size & height calculator

Fixture diameter and hang height for any room.

The classic designer's shortcut is to add the room's length and width in feet and use that number in inches as the fixture's diameter. A 12 by 14 foot dining room suggests a fixture around 26 inches across.

Over a table, the table wins: keep the fixture roughly 12 inches narrower than the table so nobody bumps it standing up. For long tables, consider two smaller pendants or a linear fixture about two-thirds the table's length.

For hanging height, aim for the bottom of the fixture 30 to 34 inches above the tabletop with an 8-foot ceiling, and add about 3 inches for every extra foot of ceiling. In entries and hallways with no table, leave at least 7 feet of clearance.

How it works

Room length + width (ft) gives a starting diameter in inches.
If you enter a table width, the suggestion is capped at the table width minus 12 inches.
Hang height scales with ceiling height above 8 feet.
Fixture height (top to bottom) of 2.5 to 3 inches per foot of ceiling keeps the proportions balanced.

Questions, answered

How high should a light hang over a dining table?

With an 8-foot ceiling, the bottom of the fixture should be about 30 to 34 inches above the tabletop. Add roughly 3 inches for each additional foot of ceiling height.

Can a chandelier be too big?

Yes — if it is wider than the table minus about a foot, or if it crowds the room. Oversized can work in tall rooms, but test with a cardboard cutout first.

Where do I hang a light in a corner?

Hang it over the furniture it serves, not the room's center. A swag hook lets you move the cord over a reading chair or corner table without moving the electrical box.

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