DropFit: Pendant Hanging Height & Cord Length Guide

Pendant Hanging Height Guide + Cord Length Calculator

Designing the perfect drop is easier than you think. Use our DropFit visual hanging height guide and the built-in pendant length calculator below to dial in the ideal length for plug-in pendants and hard-wired pendants. Whether you’re lighting a kitchen island, dining table, bedside, entryway, or stairwell landing, this page walks you through ceiling height, hang height, swag span, and swag depth so you can order the right cord length with confidence.

Quick rules of thumb: over a bar or island, start at 30–36 inches above the countertop; over a dining table, try 28–34 inches above the tabletop; for side tables and bedsides, keep the pendant about 18–24 inches above the surface. In entryways and stairwells, aim for 7 feet of clearance. These ranges keep sightlines open and the glow cozy—then your calculator result refines the exact pendant length for your space.

Color Cord Company makes customization friendly and fast—choose your cord color, socket, and canopy, then use the calculator to get an exact measurement plus a “CCC Suggested Length” (rounded up for wiggle room). If you’re swagging a plug-in, the tool accounts for two ceiling hooks and lets you choose a taut run or a draped look. Friendly, flexible, and designed for DIYers, makers, and pros alike.

✨ Try our favorite trick: the balloon and string hack. Before you order, hang a balloon from the ceiling with a piece of string where you think the light should go. Adjust the height until it feels just right for your space—whether that’s above a dining table, kitchen island, or bedside. Once you’re happy, simply measure the string length (or the drop from ceiling to balloon) and enter that number into the pendant length calculator below. It’s a playful, DIY-friendly way to test different hanging heights without any tools—and it makes sure your cord length is spot on.

How to Measure: Ceiling to Outlet, Hang Height, Swag Span, Swag Depth

Step 1: Ceiling to Outlet (CTO) — For plug-in pendants, measure the vertical distance from the ceiling to the wall outlet where your cord begins. Step 2: Hang Height (HH) — Measure from the ceiling to the top of the light fixture at your target drop (use our balloon-and-string trick to test different heights). Step 3: Swag Span (SS) — If you’re swagging, measure the ceiling distance between the hook above the outlet or j-box and the hook above the fixture. Step 4: Swag Depth (SD) — Decide how much the cord should dip for that relaxed, draped arc. Enter all four values into the pendant length calculator. It returns an exact length plus a CCC Suggested Length, which includes rounding and optional variance so you have enough cord to route cleanly around beams, shelves, or art.

Choosing the Right Cord Length (and When to Add Slack)

For most installs, a little extra slack is your friend. Add variance if you plan to adjust the pendant seasonally, change bulbs or shades, or refine your furniture layout. Plug-in pendants with a swag span often look best with a gentle dip; hard-wired pendants may need an extra foot for tidy wiring at the canopy. Our calculator bakes in these realities, so your cord length order arrives ready to hang—no guesswork, no math anxiety.

Next steps: measure, plug the numbers into the pendant length calculator, and save the result. Then explore our customizable plug-in pendant and hard-wired pendant options to match your drop, finish, and cord color. Keep this hanging height guide handy for kitchens, dining rooms, bedsides, entryways, and stairwells, and you’ll be set for beautiful, functional lighting throughout your home. Fun, approachable, and totally customizable—just how we like it.