What size chandelier over a 42 inch dining table?
Over a 42″ wide table, choose a chandelier 21–28″ across (½ to ⅔ of the table width). Hang the bottom 30–36″ above the tabletop.
Method: Designer rules: room length + width in feet = diameter in inches; ½–⅔ of a dining table's width; hung 30–36″ above a table.
Chandelier diameter
25″ wide
21″–28″ works · about 20″–24″ tall
| Diameter range | 21″–28″ |
| Fixture height | 20″–24″ |
| Bottom above the table | 30″–36″ |
| Chain or rod length | about 11″ |
- • Hang the bottom of the chandelier 30–36″ above the table on an 8 ft ceiling, and 3″ higher for every extra foot of ceiling.
- • Keep it at least 12″ narrower than the table so no one bumps their head and it doesn't crowd the edges.
- • For a long table, use two smaller fixtures or a linear chandelier instead of one round one.
Chandelier size by room
| Room | Chandelier diameter |
|---|---|
| 10′ × 10′ | 20″ |
| 12′ × 12′ | 24″ |
| 12′ × 14′ | 26″ |
| 14′ × 16′ | 30″ |
| 15′ × 20′ | 35″ |
Chandelier over a dining table
| Table width | Chandelier | Hang above table |
|---|---|---|
| 36″ | 18–24″ | 30–36″ |
| 42″ | 21–28″ | 30–36″ |
| 48″ | 24–32″ | 30–36″ |
| 60″ | 30–40″ | 30–36″ |
How it works
For an open room, add the length and width in feet and use that number as the diameter in inches. Over a dining table, use about half to two thirds of the table width, and keep it at least 12″ narrower than the table. Fixture height is about 2.5–3″ per foot of ceiling.
More chandelier guides
Frequently asked questions
What size chandelier for a 12x12 room?
About 24 inches across, from adding the 12 ft length and 12 ft width. Anything from 22 to 26 inches works.
How high should a chandelier hang over a dining table?
With the bottom 30 to 36 inches above the table on an 8 ft ceiling, plus 3 inches for each extra foot of ceiling height.
Can a chandelier be too big?
Yes. It should leave at least 12 inches clear of the table edge, and in open rooms its bottom should be at least 7 feet off the floor.