No flexible tape measure at home? You don't need one. Here's exactly how to get an accurate measurement with things you almost certainly already have, plus the mistakes that throw the number off.
Most guides on how to measure necklace length assume you own a flexible sewing tape measure. Most people don't. Here's the actual method, including two versions that work with things already sitting in a kitchen drawer — and covered from the length-selection side, in more depth, in our piece on how to choose the right necklace length.
What You'll Need
One of the following: a flexible tape measure, or a piece of string/ribbon plus a rigid ruler. A mirror helps but isn't required. That's genuinely the full list.
Method 1: Flexible Tape Measure
- Wrap it around the base of your neck, where the piece will actually sit — not up near the jawline, which reads noticeably shorter.
- Keep it snug but not tight. You should be able to slide one finger comfortably underneath.
- Read the number where it overlaps, then add roughly half an inch for comfortable all-day wear rather than the tightest possible fit.
Method 2: String or Ribbon Plus a Ruler
- Wrap a piece of string or ribbon around the base of your neck, exactly the way you would with a tape measure.
- Mark the point where it overlaps with a pen, or pinch it firmly with your fingers.
- Lay it flat against a ruler and read the measurement from the start to your mark.
- Add the same half-inch comfort margin as you would with a tape measure — the process is identical from this point on.
Method 3: Using a Necklace You Already Own
If you have a necklace that already fits the way you want a new piece to fit, lay it flat and measure its full circumference — clasp included — with a ruler or the string method above. This sidesteps guessing entirely, since you're measuring a fit you already know works, rather than translating a neck measurement into a length choice from scratch.
Common Measuring Mistakes
- Measuring too high on the neck. The base of the neck, where a choker or collar actually sits, gives a different (usually larger) number than measuring closer to the jaw.
- Measuring too tight. A measurement taken with the tape or string pulled snug against the skin, with no ease, will produce a number that feels uncomfortably restrictive once translated into a fixed piece of jewellery.
- Forgetting the clasp or hardware. If you're measuring an existing necklace for reference, the clasp and any connecting hardware are part of the total length — leaving them out will throw the number off by a meaningful amount on a shorter piece.
- Measuring only once. Neck circumference fluctuates slightly through the day; measuring twice, at different points, and averaging the two gives a more reliable number than a single reading.
Where This Fits
Getting this measurement right matters most on fixed-length, close-fitting pieces — exactly the category the Tether Choker sits in. A few extra minutes with a piece of string is worth it before committing to a collar length that can't be adjusted after the fact.
Measure once, properly, and the rest takes care of itself.
Read our full guide to choosing the right necklace length once you have your number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the string method really as accurate as a tape measure?
Yes, provided the string doesn't stretch while wrapped and the mark is taken carefully at the overlap point. The only real advantage a tape measure offers is convenience, not additional accuracy.
Should I measure over clothing or bare skin?
Bare skin, or a thin top at most — a bulky collar or scarf underneath will add false length to the measurement and throw off the final number.
How much extra length should I add for comfort?
Roughly half an inch beyond your snug, bare measurement is a reasonable standard for all-day comfort, though this can be adjusted slightly based on personal preference for a closer or looser fit.