Interactive · 3 brand charts · by neck or breed
Dog Collar Size Chart & Size Finder
Dog collar size is set by neck measurement, and each brand prints its own chart: a 16-inch neck is Ruffwear’s 14–20 in size, If It Barks’ Medium (15–22 in) and Mighty Paw’s Large (14.5–18 in). Measure where the collar sits with two fingers under the tape, then match the brand’s own range.
By PawBench Editorial · Updated October 26, 2026 · Sizes read from each brand’s own chart on 2026-10-26; we do not test collars on dogs.
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Collar sizes for a neck measurement of 16.0 in (41 cm).
Where more than one published size covers your measurement, we lead with the one that leaves the most adjustment on both sides of it, and list the others.
Ruffwear Front Range Collar
Flat everyday collar, side-release buckle
14–20 inYour measurement is inside Ruffwear's 14–20 in size.
Show full Ruffwear chart
Size Neck Width 11–14 in 11–14 in 0.75 in 14–20 in 14–20 in 1 in 20–26 in 20–26 in 1 in Buy on Amazon
4.7(4,356)Ruffwear Front Range Dog Collar
$13.99(listed price is for 20"-26")This link opens 20"-26". Choose 14"-20" on the size selector; the link does not preselect your size.
If It Barks 1.5-inch Adjustable Martingale Collar
Martingale (limited-slip), with or without a buckle
MediumIf It Barks publishes 15–22 in for Medium.
Show full If It Barks chart
Size Neck Width Small 11–15 in 1.5 in Medium 15–22 in 1.5 in Large 19–30 in 1.5 in Buy on Amazon
4.5(135)If It Barks Martingale Collar
$32(listed price is for Small (11"-15") w/o Buckle)This link opens Small (11"-15") w/o Buckle. Choose Medium (15"-22") on the size selector; the link does not preselect your size.
Mighty Paw Distressed Leather Collar
Flat leather collar, metal buckle
LargeMighty Paw publishes 14.5–18 in for Large.
Show full Mighty Paw chart
Size Neck Small 9.5–12 in Medium 10.25–13.5 in Large 14.5–18 in X-Large 17.25–20.5 in Buy on Amazon
4.6(3,486)Mighty Paw Leather Dog Collar
$11.72(listed price is for Large)This link opens Large. That matches the size above; confirm it before adding to cart.
Dog collar size chart by brand
Every range is the brand’s published neck range, in inches with centimeters. Where the brand prints its own centimeter figures we show them; Mighty Paw prints inches only, so its centimeters are converted.
| Collar | Size | Neck (in) | Neck (cm) | Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffwear Front Range CollarFlat | 11–14 in | 11–14 in | 28–36 cm | 0.75 in |
| Ruffwear | 14–20 in | 14–20 in | 36–51 cm | 1 in |
| Ruffwear | 20–26 in | 20–26 in | 51–66 cm | 1 in |
| If It Barks 1.5-inch Adjustable Martingale CollarMartingale | Small | 11–15 in | 28–38 cm | 1.5 in |
| If It Barks | Medium | 15–22 in | 38–56 cm | 1.5 in |
| If It Barks | Large | 19–30 in | 48–76 cm | 1.5 in |
| Mighty Paw Distressed Leather CollarFlat | Small | 9.5–12 in | 24–30 cm* | — |
| Mighty Paw | Medium | 10.25–13.5 in | 26–34 cm* | — |
| Mighty Paw | Large | 14.5–18 in | 37–46 cm* | — |
| Mighty Paw | X-Large | 17.25–20.5 in | 44–52 cm* | — |
* Converted from the brand’s inches. Mighty Paw’s chart leaves a gap between Medium (to 13.5 in) and Large (from 14.5 in), and its Small and Medium overlap; both are as published.
Dog collar size by breed (typical ranges)
If you do not have a tape measure yet, a breed gives a rough starting range. These bands are PetSmart’s dog collar size chart, which lists example breeds per neck band. They are typical ranges, not your dog: individual dogs, coats and mixes vary, and the bands overlap.
| PetSmart band | Typical neck | Example breeds (as PetSmart lists them) |
|---|---|---|
| XX small | 6–8 in (15–20 cm) | Chihuahua, Teacup Yorkshire Terrier |
| Extra small | 8–12 in (20–30 cm) | Dachshund (miniature), Maltese, Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier |
| Small | 10–14 in (25–36 cm) | Cavalier King Charles, Pekingese, Miniature Schnauzer, Pug, Scottish Terrier |
| Medium | 14–20 in (36–51 cm) | Beagle, Border Collie, Boston Terrier, English Bulldog, French Bulldog |
| Large | 16–26 in (41–66 cm) | Boxer, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Weimaraner |
| Extra large | 24–30 in (61–76 cm) | Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard |
How to measure your dog’s neck for a collar
- Use a soft tape measure. No tape? If It Barks suggests a piece of string, laid flat against a ruler.
- Measure where the collar sits, around the neck, with your dog standing or sitting calmly.
- Slide two fingers under the tape. If It Barks says this adds about 2 inches over the neck itself, closer to 1 inch on very small dogs. Brands word it differently: PetSafe’s KeepSafe chart says to measure the neck and add an inch, and Ruffwear’s chart simply says the measurement is around the neck.
- For a martingale with no buckle, also measure the head: from the top of the throat, over the ears, to the top of the head. If It Barks says to order a size whose range spans from the neck to the head measurement, because the collar has to slip over the head. With a buckle, only the neck matters.
The two-finger fit check
Once the collar is on, Ruffwear’s collar-safety page says a collar is sized right when you can slip just two fingers between it and the dog: tighter is uncomfortable, looser makes it easier to catch on things. PetSmart’s chart gives the same two-finger rule. Ruffwear suggests rechecking as a dog grows, loses weight or grows a thicker winter coat.
Flat vs martingale vs breakaway collars
These are the brands’ own descriptions, not test results.
- Flat collar (Ruffwear Front Range, Mighty Paw leather). If It Barks describes a standard flat collar as suitable for everyday wear and basic training, worn all the time but removed if the dog is crated, and not ideal for dogs that pull hard on the leash.
- Martingale (If It Barks). If It Barks describes it as a walking and training collar for dogs with slimmer necks and narrow heads or dogs that slip out of collars: the control loop tightens enough to stop a slip but, in its words, not enough to cause harm. It says a martingale is not for constant daily wear, should come off when the dog is relaxing or playing unsupervised, and is never appropriate for tie-out use.
- Breakaway collar. PetSafe says its KeepSafe Break-Away collar has a buckle that separates when pressure is applied, for collars that catch on fences, crates, vents or another dog during play. None of the collars in our catalog is a breakaway style.
Ruffwear’s collar-safety page, which covers all collar styles, advises removing collars before play with other dogs and before crating or leaving a dog unattended. For a dog that pulls, our harness size finder sizes five harness brands by chest girth instead.
How this tool works
Your measurement is converted to inches and compared with each brand’s published neck range. A size counts as a match when your number falls inside its range. Where more than one published size covers your measurement, we lead with the one that leaves the most adjustment on both sides of it, and list the others. When your number falls in a gap in a chart, or outside it, we say so rather than picking for you, and we only repeat a between-sizes rule where the brand publishes one (If It Barks does; Ruffwear and Mighty Paw do not on the pages we read). In breed mode, we show every size whose range overlaps the breed’s typical band from PetSmart’s chart. Nothing you enter leaves your browser; the last entry is kept in this browser only so the tool remembers it.
Buy links open one specific size of each listing, so every result card says which size the link opens and which size to choose. Shop the rest of the shelf on our dog collars page.
Dog collar size FAQ
How do I measure my dog's neck for a collar?
Use a soft tape measure (or a piece of string laid against a ruler) around the neck where the collar normally sits. If It Barks says to slide two fingers under the tape while you measure, which adds about 2 inches on most dogs and closer to 1 inch on very small ones. Measure twice and use that number against the brand's own chart.
How tight should a dog collar be?
Ruffwear's collar-safety guidance says that if you can slip just two fingers between the collar and the dog, it is sized right; PetSmart's chart gives the same two-finger rule. Ruffwear also suggests rechecking the fit as a dog grows, loses weight or grows a thicker winter coat.
What size collar does my dog need by breed?
PetSmart's collar chart groups breeds into typical neck bands, for example Beagle and French Bulldog at 14–20 inches and Labrador and Golden Retriever at 16–26 inches. Those bands are wide and overlap, so treat them as a starting point and measure your own dog before ordering.
What if my dog is between collar sizes?
Only some brands publish a rule. If It Barks says to size up when the neck falls between sizes. Ruffwear and Mighty Paw publish no between-sizes rule on the pages we read, and Mighty Paw's chart has a gap between Medium (to 13.5 inches) and Large (from 14.5 inches), so re-measure if you land there.
Is a martingale or a flat collar better?
If It Barks describes a flat collar as suited to everyday wear and a martingale as a walking and training collar for dogs with slim necks and narrow heads or dogs that slip out of collars, not for constant daily wear and never for tie-out. A breakaway collar, as PetSafe describes its KeepSafe, has a buckle that separates under pressure if the collar snags.
Are dog collar sizes the same across brands?
No. A 16-inch neck is Ruffwear's 14–20 inch size, If It Barks' Medium (15–22 inches) and Mighty Paw's Large (14.5–18 inches). If It Barks' own guide states there are no industry standards for collar sizes, so always check the specific brand's chart.
Sources
Last checked: October 26, 2026. Each page below was opened and read on that date.
- Ruffwear, Front Range Collar sizing chart: ruffwear.com/products/front-range-everyday-dog-collar
- Ruffwear, Dog Collar Safety Tips (two-finger fit, when to remove collars): ruffwear.com/pages/dog-collar-safety-tips
- If It Barks, Choosing the right size collar (measuring neck and head, no industry standard): ifitbarks.com/choosing-the-right-size-dog-collar-for-your-dog. The Small/Medium/Large ranges come from If It Barks’ own size chart on the retailer listing we link.
- If It Barks, Martingale Collars (flat vs martingale, tie-out warning): ifitbarks.com/martingale-dog-collars and its sizing guide on ifitbarks.com/webbing-martingale-collar (between sizes, size up).
- Mighty Paw, Distressed Leather Collar: mightypaw.com/products/leather-dog-collar-distressed. The page lists Small to X-Large without ranges; the neck ranges are Mighty Paw’s own size chart on the retailer listing we link.
- PetSmart, Dog collar size chart (typical neck bands by breed, two-finger rule): petsmart.com/help/sizing-charts-H0012b.html
- PetSafe, KeepSafe Break-Away Collar (breakaway buckle, measure the neck and add an inch): petsafe.com/p/keepsafe-collar
Sizing charts change between product generations. Recheck the live brand chart, and the size selected on the retailer page, before you buy.