Dog Collar Size Finder
Pick a breed or type in a neck measurement, and this tool returns the size to order on the two Leatherius collar ladders. Every size we publish is the girth of the closed collar, so your dog's neck has to come out smaller than the number on the size.
How to measure a dog's neck
Run a soft tape around the base of the neck, where the collar naturally settles just above the shoulders. Keep the tape flat against the skin under the coat, since fur adds inches that are not there. Read the number, then allow room for two fingers.
On a long-coated dog, part the fur first. A goldendoodle can measure two inches larger through the coat than it does on the skin, and that is exactly how people end up with a collar their dog walks out of.
The two ladders, in full
These are the size menus as they appear on the products themselves.
Fast release buckle
| Size | Width | Collar girth |
|---|---|---|
| XXS | 5/8 in | 7–8 in |
| XS | 5/8 in | 8–10 in |
| S | 5/8 in | 9–12 in |
| M | 5/8 in | 11–16 in |
| S | 1 in | 10–12 in |
| M | 1 in | 11–14 in |
| L | 1 in | 13–17 in |
| XL | 1 in | 16–24 in |
| XXL | 1 in | 22–30 in |
Classic pin buckle
| Size | Width | Collar girth |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 5/8 in | 10–12 in |
| S | 3/4 in | 9.5–13 in |
| M | 3/4 in | 13–16 in |
| L | 1 in | 13.5–18 in |
| XL | 1 in | 17–21 in |
Choosing the width
Width is a comfort decision. The 5/8 inch band suits small dogs and fine-boned ones, along with long-coated dogs whose fur would flatten under a wider strap. The 1 inch band spreads leash pressure over more of the neck on a dog who pulls, and it holds 18 engraved characters per line instead of 12.
When to size up
Size up whenever the measurement lands near the top of a range, because the published number is the collar rather than the dog. Size up for a puppy too, though only by one step and only with the fit checked every couple of weeks. A collar you can fit a fist under protects nothing.
Breed averages hide a lot of variation. Two labradors from the same litter can sit an inch and a half apart, and doodles are the worst offenders of all. The full breed reference has the reasoning behind each row, and the fit-problems guide covers the dog who keeps reversing out of the collar.
Frequently asked questions
What size collar does my dog need if the neck measures 16 inches?
On the fast release ladder that is the 1 inch XL, which runs 16 to 24 inches of collar girth. On the pin buckle ladder it is the L at 13.5 to 18 inches.
My dog measures between two sizes. Which one?
The larger one. Our sizes are collar girth, the ranges overlap deliberately, and a bigger collar still adjusts down through the holes.
Can I measure in centimeters?
Yes. Switch the unit in the tool and it converts for you. As a rough guide, 40 cm is about 15.75 inches.
How much room should the collar have?
Two fingers, laid flat between the strap and the neck, with the collar buckled. One finger is too tight for a dog to swallow comfortably. Three is enough for the collar to lift over the ears.
Link to this tool. If it saved you a return, you are welcome to link it from your breed page or your rescue site. Copy this: <a href="https://leatheriuswoodman.com/pages/dog-collar-size-finder">Dog Collar Size Finder</a>