This pendant light height calculator gives you the right hang height in seconds. No guesswork, no measuring tape gymnastics. Just find your ceiling height and where the pendant hangs, and the table does the rest.
The golden rule first
Before the calculator, here is the rule designers use: over a table or island, hang pendants so the bottom of the shade sits 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 inches) above the surface. In open floor space with nothing underneath, the bottom of the pendant should clear 210 cm (about 7 feet) above the floor so tall guests do not bump into it.
The calculator: over a table or island
Measure your ceiling height, then read across.
| Ceiling height | Hang height above table/island | Bottom of pendant from floor |
|---|---|---|
| 240 cm (8 ft) | 75 cm (30 in) | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| 270 cm (9 ft) | 80 cm (32 in) | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| 300 cm (10 ft) | 90 cm (36 in) | 210 cm (6 ft 11 in) |
| 330 cm (11 ft) | 100 cm (40 in) | 230 cm (7 ft 7 in) |
| 360 cm (12 ft) | 110 cm (43 in) | 250 cm (8 ft 2 in) |
These assume a standard 75 cm (30 in) table or island height. For taller bar counters around 90 to 105 cm, keep the 75 to 90 cm gap above the counter, which raises the pendant accordingly.
The calculator: over open floor
With no table beneath, the pendant must clear head height with margin.
| Ceiling height | Bottom of pendant from floor |
|---|---|
| 240 cm (8 ft) | 210 cm (6 ft 11 in) |
| 270 cm (9 ft) | 215 cm (7 ft 1 in) |
| 300 cm (10 ft) | 220 cm (7 ft 3 in) |
| 330 cm (11 ft) | 225 cm (7 ft 5 in) |
| 360 cm (12 ft) | 230 cm (7 ft 7 in) |
Over dining tables: a closer look
Dining tables are where hang height matters most. Too high and the pendant floats disconnected from the table. Too low and it blocks conversation across the table. The 75 to 90 cm band above the tabletop is the sweet spot. If you hang a row of two or three pendants, keep every pendant at exactly the same height. Small differences are very visible.
For pierced Moroccan pendants, this height also matters for the light pattern. Hung correctly, the pattern washes across the table and the surrounding walls. Hung too high, the pattern drifts up to the ceiling where it goes to waste.
Over kitchen islands
Islands get the same 75 to 90 cm rule measured from the counter surface. Space multiple pendants evenly, usually 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 inches) apart, and keep them at least 15 cm (6 inches) inside the island ends. Browse our ceiling lights for island-friendly pendants, and read our pendant size guide to match diameter to island length.
Adjusting for shade size and shape
The tables above assume an average pendant. Adjust up or down for extremes. A very wide shade, 60 cm or more across, can hang at the top of the range or even a few centimeters higher, because its light spreads wide and its bulk sits closer to eye level. A narrow pendant under 30 cm can hang slightly lower, since it intrudes less on sightlines. Open bottom shades throw light straight down and tolerate a slightly higher hang. Shades that glow in all directions, like pierced brass, do their best work a touch lower, where the pattern reaches the table and walls.
What about sloped ceilings
Sloped ceilings need a pendant with a swivel canopy or an adjustable cord so the fixture hangs plumb. Measure the hang height from the lowest point of the ceiling directly above the pendant position, then add a little extra drop to compensate for the slope. When in doubt, mock it up: hang the pendant temporarily with string and live with it for an evening before the electrician finalizes anything.
Entryways and open floors
In an entryway, the 210 cm clearance rule applies. A pendant hung lower becomes a hazard and, frankly, looks wrong in an open space. For tall ceilings, consider a longer drop cord or chain so the pendant sits in the visible zone rather than hugging the ceiling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard height for pendant lights over a kitchen island?
75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 inches) from the counter surface to the bottom of the shade. This gives clear task light without blocking sightlines.
How high should pendants be over a dining table?
The same 75 to 90 cm above the tabletop. If the table is large or the ceiling very high, lean toward the top of the range.
Can pendants hang lower than 210 cm over a walkway?
We do not recommend it. 210 cm (about 7 feet) is the minimum clearance for comfortable, safe passage.
Do all pendants in a row need the same height?
Yes. Match them exactly. Even a few centimeters of difference is noticeable and looks like a mistake.
How do I measure for a pendant over a sloped ceiling?
Measure from the lowest ceiling point above the pendant spot and use a swivel canopy so the fixture hangs straight down.
Pick your pendant with our pendant size guide, then hang it with confidence.