Bike Chain Length Chart For Road, Gravel And Mountain Bikes
Complete bike chain length chart showing recommended links for different drivetrains. Find your chain length by speed, chainring size, and cassette range.
A typical modern derailleur bike needs between 104 and 120 links depending on chainstay length, chainring size and cassette range, and you can estimate your ideal chain length using a simple chart by speed and gearing.
These charts provide quick reference estimates based on common setups. For precise calculations tailored to your exact specifications, use our Bicycle Chain Length Calculator.
Road Bike Chain Length Chart (2x Drivetrains)
11-Speed Road Bikes
| Chainring | Cassette | Chainstay 400mm | Chainstay 405mm | Chainstay 410mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50/34 | 11-28 | 106 links | 106 links | 108 links |
| 50/34 | 11-30 | 106 links | 108 links | 108 links |
| 50/34 | 11-32 | 108 links | 108 links | 110 links |
| 52/36 | 11-28 | 106 links | 108 links | 108 links |
| 52/36 | 11-30 | 108 links | 108 links | 110 links |
| 52/36 | 11-32 | 108 links | 110 links | 110 links |
| 53/39 | 11-28 | 108 links | 108 links | 110 links |
| 53/39 | 11-30 | 108 links | 110 links | 110 links |
| 53/39 | 11-32 | 110 links | 110 links | 112 links |
12-Speed Road Bikes
| Chainring | Cassette | Chainstay 400mm | Chainstay 405mm | Chainstay 410mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50/34 | 11-30 | 106 links | 108 links | 108 links |
| 50/34 | 11-32 | 108 links | 108 links | 110 links |
| 50/34 | 11-34 | 108 links | 110 links | 110 links |
| 52/36 | 11-30 | 108 links | 108 links | 110 links |
| 52/36 | 11-32 | 108 links | 110 links | 110 links |
| 52/36 | 11-34 | 110 links | 110 links | 112 links |
Gravel Bike Chain Length Chart
1x Gravel Drivetrains
| Chainring | Cassette | Chainstay 420mm | Chainstay 425mm | Chainstay 430mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38T | 10-42 | 108 links | 110 links | 110 links |
| 40T | 10-42 | 110 links | 110 links | 112 links |
| 42T | 10-42 | 110 links | 112 links | 112 links |
| 38T | 10-44 | 110 links | 110 links | 112 links |
| 40T | 10-44 | 110 links | 112 links | 112 links |
| 42T | 10-44 | 112 links | 112 links | 114 links |
| 40T | 10-46 | 112 links | 112 links | 114 links |
| 42T | 10-46 | 112 links | 114 links | 114 links |
2x Gravel Drivetrains
| Chainring | Cassette | Chainstay 420mm | Chainstay 425mm | Chainstay 430mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46/30 | 11-34 | 108 links | 110 links | 110 links |
| 46/30 | 11-36 | 110 links | 110 links | 112 links |
| 48/31 | 11-34 | 110 links | 110 links | 112 links |
| 48/31 | 11-36 | 110 links | 112 links | 112 links |
| 50/34 | 11-36 | 112 links | 112 links | 114 links |
Mountain Bike Chain Length Chart
Hardtail MTB (1x Drivetrains)
| Chainring | Cassette | Chainstay 425mm | Chainstay 435mm | Chainstay 445mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30T | 10-50 | 110 links | 112 links | 114 links |
| 30T | 10-51 | 112 links | 112 links | 114 links |
| 30T | 10-52 | 112 links | 114 links | 114 links |
| 32T | 10-50 | 112 links | 112 links | 114 links |
| 32T | 10-51 | 112 links | 114 links | 114 links |
| 32T | 10-52 | 114 links | 114 links | 116 links |
| 34T | 10-50 | 112 links | 114 links | 114 links |
| 34T | 10-51 | 114 links | 114 links | 116 links |
| 34T | 10-52 | 114 links | 116 links | 116 links |
Full Suspension MTB (Add 2-4 Links)
Full suspension bikes need extra chain length to accommodate suspension compression. Add 2-4 links to the hardtail values above.
| Chainring | Cassette | Short Travel | Medium Travel | Long Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30T | 10-52 | 116 links | 118 links | 120 links |
| 32T | 10-52 | 116 links | 118 links | 120 links |
| 34T | 10-52 | 118 links | 120 links | 122 links |
For detailed guidance, see our Full Suspension MTB Chain Length Guide.
Chain Length by Speed (Quick Reference)
9-Speed Chains
| Bike Type | Typical Setup | Recommended Links |
|---|---|---|
| Road 2x | 52/39, 11-28 | 108-110 links |
| MTB 3x | 44/32/22, 11-34 | 108-112 links |
| Hybrid | 48/38/28, 11-32 | 106-110 links |
10-Speed Chains
| Bike Type | Typical Setup | Recommended Links |
|---|---|---|
| Road 2x | 50/34, 11-28 | 106-108 links |
| Road 2x | 52/36, 11-32 | 108-110 links |
| MTB 2x | 38/24, 11-36 | 110-112 links |
11-Speed Chains
| Bike Type | Typical Setup | Recommended Links |
|---|---|---|
| Road 2x | 50/34, 11-28 | 106-108 links |
| Road 2x | 52/36, 11-32 | 108-112 links |
| MTB 1x | 32T, 10-42 | 110-114 links |
| MTB 1x | 32T, 10-51 | 112-116 links |
12-Speed Chains
| Bike Type | Typical Setup | Recommended Links |
|---|---|---|
| Road 2x | 50/34, 11-34 | 108-112 links |
| Gravel 1x | 40T, 10-44 | 110-114 links |
| MTB 1x | 32T, 10-50 | 112-116 links |
| MTB 1x | 32T, 10-52 | 114-118 links |
How to Use This Chart
- Find your bike type (road, gravel, or mountain)
- Locate your gearing (chainring and cassette combination)
- Match your chainstay length (measure or check manufacturer specs)
- Read the recommended links
Important Notes
- These are starting point estimates
- Always verify with the actual formula or calculator
- When in doubt, go with the higher number
- Full suspension bikes need 2-4 extra links
Why You Should Still Check with the Calculator
This chart provides estimates for common setups, but your bike may have:
- Non-standard chainstay length
- Unusual gearing combinations
- Special requirements (suspension, hub spacing)
For precise results, use our Bicycle Chain Length Calculator with your exact measurements.
Standard Chain Lengths (New Chains)
Most new chains come with these link counts:
| Brand/Type | Links | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano Road | 116 links | Road bikes (trim to fit) |
| Shimano MTB | 126 links | Mountain bikes (trim to fit) |
| SRAM Road | 114 links | Road bikes (trim to fit) |
| SRAM MTB | 126 links | Mountain bikes (trim to fit) |
| KMC Universal | 116 or 118 links | Various (trim to fit) |
You'll almost always need to shorten a new chain. See our guide on How To Shorten A Bike Chain.
Related Guides
- How To Calculate Bike Chain Length - Step-by-step method
- Bicycle Chain Length Calculator - Instant calculation
- Bicycle Chain Length Formula - The math explained
- Is Your Chain Too Long or Too Short? - Troubleshooting
- 1x vs 2x vs 3x Chain Length - Drivetrain comparison