Tablecloth Sizes For Every Type Of Table: Dimensions Guide

Gray tablecloth with white chairs, plates and flowers

Choosing the right tablecloth size is as important as selecting the actual material. When setting a holiday table or place setting for a special event, the fabric coverage can make or break the entire setting. This guide contains all you need to know about tablecloth sizes so you can shop with confidence for the perfect product for your needs

Standard Tablecloth Dimensions*

Orange couch tablecloth standard sized table chairs windows

There are four common tablecloth shapes; round, square, rectangular, and oval. Most of the products available are standard measurements, which will fit almost all table sizes and shapes. 

Occasionally, a table may be made from thick slabs of wood, stone, quartz, or other moldable materials with irregular shapes and sizesAlthough standard measurements may work for these irregular tables, you may need a custom-made option for unusual lengths.

Banquet tables are commonly offered in two sizes. They are used for large events, conferences, and weddings.

Standard Banquet Tablecloth Sizing

Table Size Side/End Drop Tablecloth Size
30” x 56” 12”/12” 54” x 80”
30” x 72” 12”/16” 54” x 104”

*Based on the standard table height of 30

Rectangle Tablecloth Sizes

Bright and spacious dining room rectangular table orange tablecloth chairs rug indoor plant

Rectangular tables are often found in dining rooms, as most have rectangular layouts. 

They are perfect for sitting more than two to three people, and with an extra leaf, you can seat a larger group. 

Conference planners often use rectangular tables to accommodate large groups of people, and large educational groups use rectangular tables to create a U-shape to facilitate a speaker or teacher.

Standard Rectangular or Oval Size Chart

Table Size Side/End Drop Tablecloth Size
30” x 48” 8”/12” 54” x 72”
30” x 72” 12”/16” 54” x 104”
36” x 72” 12”/16” 60” x 104”
36” x 120” 12”/12” 60” x 144”
42” x 96” 9”/12” 60” x 120”

 

• What Size Tablecloth for a 6 Foot Table?

For a 6 foot long rectangular table with a width of 30 inches and an overhang of 14 inches, you would need a cloth that measures, at the minimum, 54” x 104”.

• What Size Tablecloth For 8 Foot Table

For an 8 foot long rectangular table with a width of 36 inches and an overhang of 14 inches, you would need a cloth that measures, at the minimum, 64” x 124”.

Round Tablecloth Measurements

Round shaped table white tablecloth dining room white wall glass windows

Smaller dining rooms or breakfast nooks off a kitchen are great places to put a round table.  Round tables are also great when having a small gathering—everyone can see each other, and conversations aren’t interrupted by people bending forward to see the person talking. 

Larger round tables are commonly used for meetings and small banquets.

Standard Round Size Chart

Table Size Drop Tablecloth Size
30” to 44” 8” 60”
36” to 54” 8” 70”
60” to 78” 8” 100”
84” 12” 110”
96” 12” 120”

 

• What Size Tablecloth For 48” Round Table

For a 48” round table with a 12” inch drop, the cloth size needed would be 72” If you prefer a shorter drop length of 8”, the size would be 64”. 

What Size Tablecloth For 60” Round Table

For a 60” round table with a 12” inch drop, the cloth size needed would be 84” If you prefer a shorter drop length of 8”, the size would be 76”. 

Oval Tablecloth Measurements

Oval table orange tablecloth chairs dining room

An oval or oblong table is similar to a rectangular table, but it has rounded corners. The softer corners can help a room look larger, but you also lose space for platters, decanters, files folders or paperwork. 

If you have a small rectangular dining room, an oval table may be a good idea.

Standard Oval Tablecloth

Table Size Side/End Drop Tablecloth Size
30” x 48” 8”/12” 50” x 72”
30” x 72” 12”/16” 54” x 104”
36” x 72” 12”/16” 60” x 104”
36” x 120” 12”/12” 60” x 144”
42” x 96” 9”/12” 60” x 120”

Square Tablecloth Sizing

Square table green tablecloth chairs glass windows

A square table is commonly found in a larger kitchen that has room for a smaller dining table. It’s a great option to have a place to sit and take a break or eat lunch with two or three other people. 

For larger areas, square tables with a leaf can accommodate more people. Two or three square tables can also be grouped together to make a larger seating area.

Standard Square Chart

Table Size Drop Tablecloth Size
30” x 30” 8” to 10” 52” x 52”
36” x 36” 8” to 10” 54” x 54”
48” x 48” 12” 60” x 60”
60” x 60” 8” to 10” 80” x 80”
72” x 72” 8” to 12” 90” x 90”

Card Table Tablecloth Sizing

Outdoor wood dining table chairs

Card tables are either square, round, or rectangular. A covering for a card table should only have a drop of six inches to eight inches at the most. A standard round card table measures 42 to 48 inches, and traditional square card tables are 34 inches by 34 inches up to 38 inches by 38 inches square. 

There are rectangular card tables as small as 24 inches by 36 inches and up to 48 inches by 92 inches.

Standard Card Table Sizes

Table Sizes Drop Shape Tablecloth Sizes
42” 8” Square 58” x 58”
44” 8” Square 60” x 60”
46” to 48” 8” Square 64” x 64”
50” to 60” 8” Square 76” x 76”
42” to 44” 8” to 12” Round 70”
46” to 48” 8” to 16” Round 80”
24” x 36” 8” Rectangle 40” x 60”
48” x 92” 8” Rectangle 64” x 108”

Tablecloth Sizing Graphic

Cloth dimensions

How To Measure A Tablecloth (Calculation Size Sheet)

Tablecloth size chart

Use the formulas below to determine your tablecloth size. Base your calculations using inches or centimeters according to where you buy your covering.

Calculate Tablecloth Proportions

Examples

ROUND TABLES

Diameter: ____________

Drop: ________

Drop: ________

Equals: _____________ size

ROUND TABLES

Diameter: 30”

Drop: 15”

Drop: 15”

Equals: 60” size

SQUARE TABLES

Length and Width: ____________

Drop: ________

Drop: ________

Equals: _____________ size

SQUARE TABLES

Length and width: 36”

Drop: 12”

Drop: 12”

Equals: 60” x 60” size

OVAL TABLES

Width: ____________

Width Drop: ________

Width Drop: ________ = Width: ________

Length: ____________

Length Drop: ________

Length Drop: ________ = Length: _______

Equals: _____________ size

OVAL TABLES

Width: 30”

Width Drop: 15”

Width Drop: 15” = Width: 60”

Length: 60”

Length Drop: 15”

Length Drop: 15” = Length: 90”

Equals: 60” x 90” size

RECTANGULAR TABLES

Width: ____________

Width Drop: ________

Width Drop: ________ = Width: ________

Length: ____________

Length Drop: ________

Length Drop: ________ = Length: _______

Equals: _____________ size

RECTANGULAR TABLES

Width: 30”

Width Drop: 30”

Width Drop: 30” = Equals: 90”

Length: 72”

Length Drop: 30”

Length Drop: 30” = Equals: 132”

Equals: 90” x 132” size

 

Download this tablecloth sizes chart here.

What Size Tablecloth Do I Need?

White and wood dining room round table white tablecloth chairs windows

Once you have the measurements of your table, you’ll need to determine the drop you want for whatever room or occasion the surface is being used for. 

A dining room or kitchen table calls for a 6” to 8” drop in a casual setting. The more common is 8”. Try not to go less than a 6” drop to avoid the cover being too short. 

Many settings include end drops that are a few inches shorter than the side drops to give it a decorative look. If you require a custom cloth cover, you can specify any drop length you prefer. 

Standard Drop Length Chart

Type

Length

Recommended Shortest Drop 6”
Standard Drop 8”
Lap Length 14”
Floor Length 30”

 

Formal events or banquets typically have a 15” drop from the top of the table, and weddings and more festive formal events are typically seen with a floor-length tablecloth of 30”. 

By using the formula above, you can determine the measurements you need based on the occasion or room, table shape, and dimensions.

When it comes to dining table decorating, a covering provides the foundation for the rest of the décor, but it will hang low and look awkward if it is too large. If it hangs to the floor, it could cause a tripping hazard. 

To create a floor-length tablecloth, measurements must be exact so the material hangs even with the floor, preventing bunching and becoming a tripping hazard. When a cover is too small, the place settings will look undone and unfinished.

Knowing the standard tablecloth and your table’s dimensions will provide you with the measurements you need when you purchase a product. Remember that you will find many additional measurements that do not match those shown in this article. 

As long as the covering you purchase is larger than the tabletop measurements by a few inches, it will fit. Be careful not to buy a smaller product. 

When buying materials for this purpose, it is important to consider the right fabric for the occasion. A wipeable fabric such as polyester, vinyl, PVC, oilcloth, or laminated cotton is recommended for casual outdoor events or parties with children.

For a more formal affair, one can choose table linens like cotton, silk, jacquard, or embroidered lace. The fabric or material should match the seats and other decor items like the napkins and place settings.

Finally, the style and color should be coordinated with other decor, accessories, cooking ingredients, and the price you want to pay to meet your needs, design, and provide a cohesive environment.

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One Comment

  1. Thank you Thank you Thank you! Covering a ping pong table for a Christmas village display! Needed that formula for fabric purchase!

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