Effects of ambient geometry on the liftoff characteristics are experimentally studied for nonpremixed turbulent jet flames. To clarify the inconsistency of the nozzle diameter effect on the liftoff height, the ambiences of finite and infinite domains are studied. For nonpremixed turbulent jet issuing from a straight nozzle to infinite domain, flame liftoff height increases linearly with nozzle exit mean velocity and is independent of nozzle diameter. With the circular plate installed on the upstream of nozzle exit, flame liftoff height is lower with plate at jet exit than without, but flame liftoff characteristics are similar to the case of infinite domain. For the confined jet having axisymmetric wall boundary, the ratio of the liftoff height and nozzle diameter is proportional to the nozzle exit mean velocity demonstrating the effect of the nozzle diameter on the liftoff height. The liftoff height increases with decreasing outer axisymmetric wall diameter. At blowout conditions, the blowout velocity decreases with decreasing outer axisymmetric wall diameter and liftoff heights at blowout are approximately 50 times of nozzle diameter.