Dining table lights are the pendants or chandeliers that hang directly over the table, and the two questions people ask most are how many to hang and how big each one should be. The answer depends on the size and shape of your table, not on the size of the room. This guide gives simple working rules, a table of common dining table sizes with what fits over each, and the real sizes of the pendant lights and chandeliers we sell.
Three working rules
These are common guides used by lighting designers, not fixed standards, and they are the same rules used across our guides:
- Width: a single shade no wider than about two-thirds of the table width (or of the diameter of a round table).
- Margin: keep about 15 cm clear between the outer edge of the shades and each end of the table.
- Spacing: leave about 20 cm between two shades in a row.
Round and square tables usually take one light in the centre. Long rectangular tables take either one wide or linear light, or a row of two or three pendants.
How many pendants for your table size
The calculations below apply the three rules. Total length of a row = shade widths + gaps of 20 cm + 2 × 15 cm margin.
| Table | Widest single shade (2/3 rule) | One-light option | Row option (length needed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Ø 90 cm | 60 cm | Beige Silk Saucer Ø 50 or Ø 60 cm | Not needed |
| Round Ø 120 cm | 80 cm | Layered Rattan or Pleated Fabric Dish Ø 80 cm | Not needed |
| 140 × 80 cm | 53 cm | Wavy Fabric Ø 45 cm or French Wabi-Sabi Chandelier Ø 50 cm | 2 × Ø 40 cm: 40 + 40 + 20 + 30 = 130 cm, fits |
| 180 × 90 cm | 60 cm | One Ø 60 cm shade, centred | 2 × Ø 50 cm: 150 cm, fits; 3 × Ø 30 cm glass globes: 160 cm, fits |
| 220 × 100 cm | 66 cm | Large Acrylic Chandelier L 120 cm (linear) | 3 × Ø 50 cm: 220 cm, just fits; 2 × Ø 60 cm: 170 cm, fits |
Example that does not fit: three Ø 40 cm shades over a 180 cm table need 3 × 40 + 2 × 20 + 30 = 190 cm, so two shades or smaller ones work better.
Real sizes of our dining table lights
All sizes come from our product pages. Shade height matters too: a tall shade needs a longer drop from the ceiling.
| Light | Diameter | Shade height | Cord or cable | Room size stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beige Silk Saucer Pendant | 40, 50, 60 cm | 19, 24, 33 cm | 150 cm | 5–10 m² |
| White Silk Saucer Pendant | 40, 50, 60 cm | 16, 20, 25 cm | 150 cm | 5–10 m² |
| Brown Silk Saucer Pendant | 40, 50, 60 cm | 16, 20, 25 cm | 1.5 m drop | 5–10 m² |
| Japanese Silk Oval Pendant Light | 40, 50 cm | 22, 28 cm | 150 cm | 5–10 m² |
| Wavy Fabric Pendant | 45, 55, 60 cm | 20, 25, 27 cm | 150 cm | 5–10 m² |
| Hand-Knitted Cloth Pendant | 45, 55, 65 cm | 32, 34, 40 cm | 120 cm | 10–15 m² |
| Pleated Fabric Dish Pendant | 50, 60, 80, 100 cm | 10, 12, 16, 18 cm | 1.2 m wire | 5–10 to 10–15 m² |
| Layered Rattan Pendant | 40, 50, 60, 80 cm | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| French Wabi-Sabi Chandelier | 50 cm | 25.5 cm | Not stated | 3–5 m² |
| Tiered Fringe Fabric Pendant | 36–37 cm | 21–22.5 cm | Up to 2 m | Not stated |
| Scalloped Glass Globe Pendant | 30 cm | 31 cm | Not stated | Not stated |
| Large Acrylic Chandelier | 60, 80, 100 cm or L 120 cm | Not stated | Hardwired | 15–30 m² |
Will the cord be long enough?
A common guide is to hang the bottom of the shade about 75–90 cm above the table top (see chandelier size and hanging height for the details). Worked example with a typical 75 cm table and the shade bottom 80 cm above it: the bottom of the shade is at 155 cm from the floor. A Beige Silk Saucer in Ø 60 cm is 33 cm tall, so its top is at 188 cm. Under a 250 cm ceiling the drop is 62 cm; under a 300 cm ceiling it is 112 cm. Both are within the 150 cm cord. A Hand-Knitted Cloth Pendant in Ø 65 cm (40 cm tall) under a 300 cm ceiling needs 300 − 195 = 105 cm, within its 120 cm cable.
Frequently asked questions
How many pendant lights should go over a dining table?
One for a round or square table, and one, two or three for a long table. Use the row formula above: if the shades plus 20 cm gaps and 15 cm at each end fit within the table length, the row works.
What size pendant for a round dining table?
Up to about two-thirds of the table diameter: up to 60 cm over a Ø 90 cm table, up to 80 cm over a Ø 120 cm table.
Should all the pendants over a table be the same?
For a calm look, yes: the same model and size, evenly spaced. A single wide light, such as the Pleated Fabric Dish Pendant or the linear Large Acrylic Chandelier, avoids the question altogether.
Browse our fabric and silk pendant lights, chandeliers and all pendant lights, or read glass vs fabric pendant lights and silk and fabric pendant lights.
