Home / Free tools / Design & size
What size chandelier does your room need?
Room rule: the diameter in inches is about the room's length plus width in feet. Over a table: half to two-thirds of the table's width, hung 30–36 in (76–91 cm) above it on an 8 ft ceiling, a little higher for every extra foot.
Choose a fitting about 21″ – 28″ across and 25″ – 30″ tall, with its bottom 36″ – 42″ above the table.
- Keep the fitting at least 15 cm narrower than the table on each side so nobody hits it when standing up.
- For a 274 cm table, two matching chandeliers or one linear fitting often look better than one large round piece.
See chandeliers in this size at factory prices. Tell us the size and style. We'll send options from Guzhen, China's lighting town, built and certified for your country.
Talk it through with Vinay
Not sure about a quote, a category or your timing? Tell us what you're weighing up and you'll get an honest answer, usually within a day.
Keep it
Everything you work out in these tools adds up in one project: your budget, containers, dates and trip. Save it to get a link by email, or print it.
How we work it out
We use the rules lighting designers use, then convert to your unit. Room: diameter (in inches) ≈ room length + width (in feet), ±10%; fitting height ≈ 2.5–3 in per foot of ceiling. Over a table: ½ to ⅔ of the table width and at least 12 in narrower than the table, so nobody hits it standing up; the bottom 30–36 in above the table on an 8 ft ceiling, plus about 3 in for each extra foot. Islands: pendants spaced about 30 in apart, the outer ones at least 6 in in from the ends, or one linear fitting ½–⅔ of the island's length. Walkways: at least 7 ft (2.13 m) clear below the fitting.
Double-height foyers get a larger fitting hung at around the level of the upper floor. These are starting points: your designer and the fitting's own proportions have the final say.
Sources
Rates and rules last checked 15 October 2026.
Questions
How big should a chandelier be over a dining table?
Between half and two-thirds of the table's width, and at least 12 in (30 cm) narrower than the table. For a 42 in wide table that's about 21–28 in across. For long tables, two fittings or a linear one look better.
How high should a chandelier hang over a table?
Its bottom 30–36 in (76–91 cm) above the table on an 8 ft ceiling, plus about 3 in for every extra foot of ceiling.
What size chandelier for a two-storey foyer?
Start from the room rule (length + width in feet = inches across) and go up by about a quarter; hang it so the bottom is around the level of the upper floor and never lower than 7 ft above the floor.