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The answer to this, and the other 8000 times similar questions have been asked:
Roller chain has 4 basic dimensions (and some less significant ones which very rarely become significant in bicycle use)
1: Pitch. With the exception of weird stuff you'll already know about if you have it, always 1/2" for pedal cycles
2: Inner width. There are three normal values, 1/8" for track and BMX, 3/32" for all dérailleur equipped bikes up to 8-speed, 11/128" for 9-12 speed
3: Roller diameter: 7.75mm for all 1/2" pitch cycle chain except SRAM 12-speed Flat Top which is 8.0mm
4: Pin length. Changes every time the speeds go up, almost never matters if you use a thinner chain than the rest of the drivetrain wants.So, if we take a 11-speed chain with an 11-speed RD and cassette and a 12-speed crankset and FD, we have a single area of disagreement; the crankset wants a very slightly shorter pin length than it's being fed. Consider the geometry - if the pins are too long, they will interfere with the FD and outer chainring at the settings where the clearance is at a minimum, i.e. crossed over chain, specifically small-small. If you avoid this setting, as you should anyway, you'll be fine. You may have to set the FD limit screws very slightly further apart, but by a much smaller margin than the usual assembly tolerances.
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gbj_tester
Eeyorecore
So I can find a lot of talk about 12 speed chains on 11 speed rings, but what about 11 speed chains on 12 speed rings.
Thinking of an 11 speed chain on an XTR 38/28 double with XTR rd actuated by a bar end shifter. This would be coupled with a Centaur Rd and probs a 11-34 Ultegra cassette.