Hang the bottom of a pendant or chandelier 75–90 cm (30–36 inches) above the tabletop for a standard 2.4 m (8 ft) ceiling. Add about 7.5 cm (3 in) of height for every extra 30 cm (1 ft) of ceiling above that. The fixture should be roughly half to two-thirds the width of the table, and centred over the table — not the room.
Key takeaways
- Hang height: 75–90 cm (30–36 in) above the table on a 2.4 m ceiling.
- Higher ceilings: add ~7.5 cm per extra 30 cm of ceiling.
- Fixture width: ½ to ⅔ of the table width (or table width minus ~30 cm).
- Centre over the table, not the room — especially if the table isn't centred.
- Put dining lights on a dimmer for dinners and everyday use alike.
Not sure of the numbers? Get the exact hanging height and fixture size for your table with our free Lighting Calculator.
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- How high to hang, by ceiling height
- How wide the fixture should be
- How to centre it correctly
- Three details people get wrong
- Frequently asked questions
How high to hang, by ceiling height
The standard is 75–90 cm above the tabletop — close enough to light the table and feel intimate, high enough to see across the table and avoid glare. Raise it as the ceiling rises so the proportion stays right.
| Ceiling height | Bottom of fixture above table |
|---|---|
| 2.4 m (8 ft) | 76–86 cm (30–34 in) |
| 2.7 m (9 ft) | 84–94 cm (33–37 in) |
| 3.0 m (10 ft) | 91–101 cm (36–40 in) |
Two adjustments: go a little higher for a very large or bright fixture (to reduce glare), and a little lower for a small or dim one (to bring light onto the table). If people bump their heads or can't see across the table, it's too low.
How wide the fixture should be
Size the fixture to the table, not the room. Two reliable rules:
- Half to two-thirds of the table width. A 100 cm-wide table takes a 50–66 cm fixture.
- Table width minus 30 cm. This leaves about 15 cm of clear tabletop on each side so nothing feels cramped.
| Table width | Ideal fixture width |
|---|---|
| 90 cm | 45–60 cm |
| 100 cm | 50–66 cm |
| 120 cm | 60–80 cm |
For a long rectangular table, a linear fixture or a row of two to three pendants often looks better than one round fixture — aim to cover the central two-thirds of the table's length.
How to centre it correctly
Centre the fixture over the middle of the table, not the middle of the room — these are often different, especially in open-plan spaces. If your table might move, or you're wiring before the table is chosen, plan the table position first and place the ceiling box to match. A ceiling that's already wired off-centre can be corrected with a swag hook or a fixture on an adjustable cord.
Three details people get wrong
- No dimmer. Dining light needs to go bright for setting the table and low for the meal. A dimmer is essential, not optional.
- Sizing to the room. An oversized fixture chosen for the room overwhelms the table; size to the table instead.
- Hanging too high. Treating a dining light like general ceiling lighting leaves the table dim and the room flat. Bring it down to 75–90 cm.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a light hang above a dining table?
75–90 cm (30–36 inches) from the tabletop to the bottom of the fixture on a standard 2.4 m ceiling. Add about 7.5 cm for every extra 30 cm of ceiling height.
How wide should a dining room chandelier be?
Between half and two-thirds of the table's width — or the table width minus about 30 cm. For a 100 cm table, that's roughly a 50–66 cm fixture.
Should the light be centred over the table or the room?
Over the table. Centre the fixture on the middle of the tabletop, which is often not the centre of the room, particularly in open-plan layouts.
Can I use two pendants over a dining table?
Yes — two or three evenly spaced pendants suit long rectangular tables and often look better than a single round fixture. Cover the central two-thirds of the table's length.
How high should a dining light be in a room with high ceilings?
Keep the same 75–90 cm above the table as your baseline and add about 7.5 cm for each 30 cm of ceiling above 2.4 m. The gap to the table matters more than the gap to the ceiling.
Last updated: July 2026 · Written by Artevaris Editorial
Related reading: Pendant Light vs Chandelier · Flush vs Semi-Flush vs Pendant · How to Choose a Luxury Chandelier
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