46 cm Chains

Men's 18 inch chains: close to the neck, just above the collarbone

An 18" chain is the shortest length most men wear. On an average neck it sits just above the collarbone, close but not tight. It shows at an open collar, stays in place when you move, and keeps a pendant high on the chest.

Every chain on this page comes in an 18" option. Pick that length on the product page; most of them also come in longer sizes if you change your mind.

Will an 18 inch chain fit you?

Neck size decides more than anything else. Wrap a string around the base of your neck, then lay it flat against a ruler. As a rule of thumb, an 18" chain sits well on a neck up to about 15 to 16 inches. If your neck is larger, or you like a looser drape, an 18" chain may feel snug. In that case, start with our 20 inch chains, which rest on the collarbone.

A chunky chain also wears shorter than a fine one, because the links take up room around the neck. With a 10 mm or wider chain, size up.

Who chooses 18 inches

• Men with a slimmer neck or build. 18" falls where a 20" would fall on a larger frame.
• Men who want the chain to stay put. A shorter chain moves less at the gym or at work.
• Layering. 18" is the top layer. Add a 22" or 24" below it and the two chains are less likely to tangle.
• Short pendants. A small pendant on 18" sits right at the notch of the collarbone.

Width at 18 inches

Short chains look wider than long ones, because they sit closer to the face. The options available in 18":

• Fine, 1.2 to 3 mm: the Stainless Steel Box Chain Necklace (1.2 to 3 mm), the 1.5 mm titanium steel box chain and the 2.3 mm gold-tone rope chain. Best under a shirt or with a pendant.
• Everyday, 3 to 6 mm: the Figaro Link Chain Necklace (3 to 6 mm), the 4 mm Cuban link chain and the wheat chains. Visible at an open collar, still easy to wear.
• Bold, 8 mm and up: the curb and Cuban chains from 8 mm. At 18" they read as a statement, close to a choker. Wear them alone.

For fine options in other lengths too, see our thin chains.

What to wear with an 18 inch chain

An 18" chain is made for open necklines: a crew-neck tee, a henley with the buttons undone, a polo, or a shirt with the top button open. With a buttoned collar it disappears, which some men like for the office. For a pendant, keep it small and light so it does not pull the chain down into a V.

Want a simple ready-made look? The Rectangular Bar Pendant Necklace comes on an 18" rope chain with a 2" extender, so you can adjust it on the day.

Caring for a steel chain

Our chains are stainless steel or titanium steel, in bare steel (silver-tone), gold-tone plating or black plating depending on the model. Wipe the chain with a soft cloth after wear. Clean it with warm water and a little mild soap when needed, then dry it fully. Keep plated chains away from harsh chemicals and store each chain apart so the links do not scratch.