Skip to main content
Calcimator

Chain Length Calculator

Calculate how much wire you need to make a chain of a given length. Accounts for link size, wire gauge, and link pattern complexity.

Inputs

in
mm
mm

Results

Wire Needed

97.4 in

≈ 16 smartphones

Wire Needed

8.1 ft

≈ 16 smartphones

Links Needed164
Wire Per Link15.08 mm
Link Outer Diameter5.6 mm
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the desired finished chain length in inches.
  2. Input the individual link length and width in millimeters.
  3. Set the link wire diameter to account for overlap in the count.
  4. Review the total link count and wire length needed to fabricate the chain.
  5. Add 5-10% extra wire length to account for forming and finishing losses.

How the result changes with Finished Chain Length

Finished Chain LengthWire NeededWire Needed
6.937.4 in3.1 ft
22118.7 in9.9 ft
39210.2 in17.5 ft
54290.9 in24.2 ft

What each input means

Finished Chain Length
Desired finished chain length in inches (16=choker, 18=standard, 24=long)
Link Inner Diameter
Inner diameter of each jump ring/link (measured inside the ring)
Wire Gauge (Diameter)
Wire diameter in mm (0.6mm=22ga, 0.8mm=20ga, 1.0mm=18ga, 1.3mm=16ga)
Link Pattern
1 = Simple (1-in-1), 2 = Double (2-in-2), 3 = Byzantine (4x wire)

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Finished Chain Length = 18, Link Inner Diameter = 4, Wire Gauge (Diameter) = 0.8, Link Pattern = 1 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Wire Needed
    97.4 = 97.4
  3. Calculate Wire Needed
    8.1 = 8.1
  4. Calculate Links Needed
    Links Needed
    164 = 164
  5. Calculate Wire Per Link
    Wire Per Link
    15.08 = 15.08

Related Calculators

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Jewelry Making

Ring Blank Calculator

Calculate the metal strip length and width needed to fabricate a ring from US ring size, band width, and metal thickness.

Jewelry Making

Metal Weight Calculator

Calculate the weight of jewelry metal from dimensions and alloy type. Supports sheet, round wire, and tube shapes in silver, gold, copper, and brass.

Tattoo & Piercing

Piercing Jewelry Size Calculator

Find the right gauge, bar length, and ring diameter for your body piercing jewelry.

Fisheries

Cold Chain Calculator

Ice and refrigeration from catch volume and trip duration.

Jewelry Making

Casting Grain Calculator

Calculate how much casting grain (metal) you need for lost-wax casting based on wax model weight, metal density, and sprue/button allowance.

More in Crafts, Hobbies & Games.