Short answer: over a dining table, choose a chandelier about 1/2 to 2/3 as wide as the table. For a standard 40 x 72 inch table, that's about 20 to 26.5 inches across. Hang the bottom 30 to 36 inches above the tabletop with an 8 foot ceiling, and add about 3 inches for every extra foot of ceiling height. A linear fixture should be about 2/3 of the table's length.
Those three numbers (width, height and hanging height) do most of the work. The rest of this guide shows them for common tables and ceilings, and covers rooms without a table.
Enter your table and ceiling to size your chandelier
Fixture size and hanging height for dining tables, living rooms and entries.
The Four Sizing Rules
These are the rules of thumb designers and lighting showrooms use. They're guides, not code requirements, and a very airy fixture can go a little bigger than a solid one.
| What to size | Rule |
|---|---|
| Round fixture over a table | Diameter 1/2 to 2/3 of the table width |
| Linear fixture over a table | About 2/3 of the table length, at least 6 in shorter than the table at each end |
| Fixture height | About 2.5 to 3 in per foot of ceiling height |
| Hanging height over a table | Bottom 30–36 in above the table at 8 ft, +3 in per extra foot of ceiling |
| Room with no table | Diameter in inches ≈ room length + width in feet; keep at least 84 in (7 ft) clear below |
Chandelier Size by Table
Every number below comes from our chandelier size calculator. "Round" is the diameter range for a round or drum-style fixture; "linear" is the length for a rectangular or bar-style fixture.
| Table | Round fixture diameter | Linear fixture length |
|---|---|---|
| 36 x 60 in (4 seats) | 18–24 in | 40 in |
| 48 in round (4 seats) | 24–32 in | Use a round fixture |
| 40 x 72 in (6 seats) | 20–26.5 in | 48 in |
| 42 x 96 in (8 seats) | 21–28 in | 64 in |
Long tables are where linear fixtures shine. A 21 to 28 inch round chandelier can look lost over a 96 inch table, while a 64 inch linear fixture covers the length evenly. Two matching pendants spaced along the table also work.
Fixture Height and Hanging Height by Ceiling
Taller ceilings call for a taller fixture and a slightly higher hanging point. The table size doesn't change these numbers.
| Ceiling height | Fixture height | Bottom of fixture above the table |
|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 20–24 in | 30–36 in |
| 9 ft | 22.5–27 in | 33–39 in |
| 10 ft | 25–30 in | 36–42 in |
Before you drill, have a helper hold the fixture (or a cardboard cutout of it) at the planned height while you sit at the table. You should be able to see the person across from you without the light blocking your view.
Rooms Without a Table: Entryways, Living Rooms, Bedrooms
When nothing sits under the fixture, use the room rule: add the room's length and width in feet, and use that number in inches as the diameter. Then make sure people can walk under it.
| Room | Room rule diameter | Suggested range | Fixture height | Bottom of fixture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, 8 x 10 ft, 9 ft ceiling | 18 in | 14–22 in | 22.5–27 in | At least 84 in from the floor |
| Bedroom, 12 x 12 ft, 8 ft ceiling | 24 in | 20–28 in | 20–24 in | At least 84 in from the floor |
| Living room, 12 x 14 ft, 8 ft ceiling | 26 in | 22–30 in | 20–24 in | At least 84 in from the floor |
| Living room, 14 x 16 ft, 10 ft ceiling | 30 in | 26–34 in | 25–30 in | 84–90 in from the floor |
| Two-story entry, 10 x 12 ft, 18 ft ceiling | 22 in | 18–26 in | 45–54 in | 84–162 in from the floor |
With standard 8 foot ceilings, a hanging fixture in a walkway is tight: a 20 inch tall fixture with 84 inches of clearance below it uses almost the full height. In low rooms, a semi-flush mount is often the better choice.
In two-story entryways, hang the fixture so it's centered in the space and visible from the upstairs window or landing, while staying at least 7 feet above the floor.
Brightness and Bulbs
Size is only half the job; the fixture also has to give the right amount of light.
- Layer the light. A chandelier sets the mood, but on its own it rarely lights a whole dining room evenly. Add wall sconces, a lamp on a sideboard or recessed lights on a separate switch.
- Check the bulb count and type. Fixtures with many candle-style bulbs can get bright quickly. Low-wattage LED candelabra bulbs on a dimmer give you a wide range.
- Match the color temperature. Keep every bulb in the room at the same warm white (around 2700K) so the light looks consistent.
- Mind the glare. Exposed bulbs at eye level can be harsh when you're seated. Shades, frosted bulbs or a slightly higher hang help.
How to Measure Before You Shop
- Measure the table's width and length (or diameter for a round table).
- Measure the ceiling height at the spot where the fixture will hang.
- Note where the existing ceiling box is relative to the table's center.
- Check the fixture's listed diameter, height and adjustable chain or rod length against your numbers.
Common Chandelier Mistakes
- Too small over the table: the most common mistake. If it's less than half the table's width, it reads as an afterthought.
- Hung too high: a dining light 4 feet above the table lights the ceiling instead of the meal and floats away from the furniture.
- Centered on the room, not the table: if your table isn't centered, move the junction box or use a swag hook so the fixture is over the table.
- No dimmer: a dimmer lets the same fixture work for homework and for dinner.
- Cool bulbs: warm white (around 2700K) flatters food and faces.
For style ideas, from wagon wheels to linear wood fixtures, see our farmhouse dining room lighting ideas. Working with a compact space? Our small farmhouse dining room guide covers scale in tight rooms.
Helpful Products
Lutron
Dimmer Switch, Single Pole
- ✓Set the mood for dinner
- ✓Works with dimmable LED bulbs
- ✓Easy swap for a standard switch
Various
Warm White LED Candelabra Bulbs, 2700K
- ✓Flattering warm white
- ✓Fits candle-style chandeliers
- ✓Dimmable
Various
Linear Chandelier for Dining Table
- ✓Covers long tables evenly
- ✓Adjustable chain or rod height
- ✓Wood and metal finishes
Various
Swag Hook Kit
- ✓Shift a fixture over an off-center table
- ✓No new junction box
- ✓Includes chain and hooks
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The Bottom Line
- Over a table, pick a round fixture 1/2 to 2/3 as wide as the table, or a linear fixture about 2/3 of its length.
- Plan about 2.5 to 3 inches of fixture height per foot of ceiling.
- Hang it 30 to 36 inches above the table with 8 ft ceilings, +3 inches per extra foot.
- In rooms without a table, use room length + width (ft) = diameter (in) and keep 7 feet of clearance below.
Enter your room, table and ceiling into the free chandelier size calculator to get your exact diameter, fixture height and hanging height.
