Choose the Correct Size Tablecloth for Your Table

Choose the Correct Size Tablecloth for Your Table

Finding the perfect tablecloth sizes can be a tricky task. Not every size fits all tables, so it is important to keep certain factors in mind when selecting one. From color and material, to length – make sure you're taking into account each factor as well as how much of the edge is covered for an overall finished look, which can elevate any dining room aesthetic. 

• The shape of your table: A rectangular table will require a different size tablecloth than a round table.
• The size of your table: Obviously, a larger table will need a larger tablecloth. However, you also need to take into account the number of guests you'll be entertaining. If you're planning on having a lot of people over, you'll need a larger tablecloth to accommodate them all.
• The type of event: A casual get-together will require a different size tablecloth than a formal dinner party.

Tablecloth sizes chart. For all tables, we recommend a standard drop (overhang of your tablecloth) of at least 8". That means the 8" of the finished tablecloth will hang over each side of the table. If you would like the drop to go longer, perhaps halfway to the floor (15 inch drop), or all the way down to the floor (30" inch drop), see the information below to calculate the correct size tablecloth linen for your table.

What size tablecloth do I need?

Picking out the perfect tablecloth for your next event can be a daunting task; however, by considering the shape and size of each table plus how many guests are attending, you’ll have an easier time selecting one that is just right. Round tables are generally easier to dress than rectangular ones, since you don't have to worry about corners hanging off the edge. As a general rule, you'll want your tablecloth to be at least 12 inches wider than your table on all sides. This will give you enough fabric to drape over the edges without risking it ending up in your guests' laps. If you're having a formal dinner party, you may want to opt for a longer tablecloth that extends all the way to the floor. However, for more casual gatherings, a tablecloth that stops just above the knee is usually sufficient. When it comes to choosing a tablecloth for rectangular tables, you'll also need to decide whether or not you want one that hangs over the edge or one that's flush with the table. Again, this is mostly a matter of personal preference. Lastly, don't forget to factor in any special needs or requirements, such as Heat Resistant Tablecloth for hot dishes or an oil-based tablecloth if you'll be serving greasy food. For help with sizing a tablecloth please find our tablecloth calculators below.

Tablecloth Size Calculator

Trying to figure out what size tablecloth you need can be challenging. You don't want it to be too small, but you also don't want it to hang over the sides of the table. That's where our tablecloth size calculator comes in. Simply input the dimensions of your table, and the tablecloth size calculator will do the rest. It's easy, stress-free, and best of all, it takes all the guesswork out of picking the perfect tablecloth. So go ahead and try it out below!

Round Table Linen

If you know your table size and the desired "drop", establish your round tablecloth size by multiplying the drop length by 2, then adding the table diameter. For example, you have a 60 inch table and want a 15 inch drop (halfway to the floor), multiply 15 by 2 (15x2=30), then add the table diameter (30+60=90) to get 90 inches, which means you need a 90 inch round tablecloth.

To find the round tablecloth sizes for your tablecloth drop (the length your tablecloth will hang down from the tabletop), you simply subtract the table diameter from the linen diameter and then divide by two. For instance, you have a 60 inch round table and have a 120 inch round tablecloth. Subtract 60 from 120 (120-60=60) then divide by 2 (60/2=30 inches). This means a 120 inch round tablecloth will cover a 60 inch round table and drop 30 inches off the table, or all the way to the floor (on a standard height table).

Standard sizes for common round tablecloths:

• 30 inch round table: Seats 2-3 People: 64 inch cloth (17 inch drop)
• 48 inch round table: Seats 6 People: 72 inch cloth (12 inch drop)
• 60 inch round table: Seats 8 People: 90 inch cloth (15 inch drop)
• 60 inch round table: 120 inch cloth (30 inch full drop)
• 72 inch round table: Seats 10 People: 120 inch cloth (24 inch drop)
• 72 inch round table: 132 inch cloth (30 inch full drop)

Common Round Tablecloth Drop Size Lengths

In this chart:

• Table Diameter is the measurement across the center of the table.
• Drop Length is how far the tablecloth hangs down from the top of the table.
• Cloth Diameter is the total diameter of the tablecloth you need to achieve the desired drop. This is calculated by adding twice the drop length to the diameter of the table.

For example, for a 36-inch diameter table with a desired 10-inch drop, you would need a tablecloth that is 56 inches in diameter (36 + 10 + 10).

Square Table Linen

To find the tablecloth drop (the length your tablecloth will hang down from the tabletop), you simply subtract the table length from the linen size and then divide by two. For instance, you have a 42 inch square table and have a 62 inch square tablecloth. Subtract 42 from 62: (62-42=20),  then divide by 2 (20/2= 10 inches). This means a 62 inch square tablecloth will cover a 42 inch square table and drop 10 inches off the table, a typical distance from the floor.

If you know what size table you have and length of a drop you want, you can find out the table cloth size you need by multiplying the drop length by 2, then adding the table length. For example, you have a 42 inch table and want an 15 inch drop, multiply 15 by 2 (15x2=30) then add the table length (42+30=72) to get 72 inches; which means you need a 72 inch square tablecloth.

Standard square tablecloth linen sizes for square tables:

• 30" square table - Seats 4 People: 52 x 52 (11 inch drop)
• 36" square table-  Seats 4 People: 62 x 62 (13 inch drop)
• 42" square table: Seats 8 People: 72 x 72 (15 inch drop)
• 60" square table: Seats 8-12 People (12 is a little tight) 85 x 85 (12.5 inch drop)

Common Square Tablecloth Drop Lengths

(Standard 30" Table Height)	Square Tablecloth Size
42”x 42” Square	54”x 54” Square	62”x 62” Square	72”x 72” Square	81”x 81” Square	85”x 85” Square	90”x 90” Square
30”x 30” Square Table	6” Drop	12” Drop	16” Drop	21” Drop	25” Drop	27.5” Drop	Floor Length
36”x 36” Square Table	Too Small	9” Drop	13” Drop	18” Drop	22.5” Drop	24.5" Drop	27” Drop
42”x 42” Square Table	Too Small	6” Drop	10” Drop	15” Drop	19.5” Drop	22” Drop	24” Drop
60”x 60” Square Table	Too Small	Too Small	Too Small	6”x 6” Drop	10.5” Drop	12.5” Drop	15” x 15” Drop
4’x 30” Banquet Table	Too Small	3” x 12” Drop	7” x 16” Drop	12” x 21” Drop	16.5” x 13.5” Drop	18.5” x 27.5” Drop	21” x Floor Length Drop
6’x 30” Banquet Table	Too Small	Too Small	Too Small	Too Small	4.5” x 13.5” Drop	6.5” x 27.5” Drop	9” x Floor Length Drop

Rectangular Table Linen | Banquet Table Linen

To find the tablecloth drop (the length your tablecloth will hang down from the tabletop), you subtract the table length from the linen length and then subtract the table width from the linen width and then divide the differences by 2. For example, you have a standard 6 foot rectangular table, so the width is 30 inches and the length is 72 inches, and you have a 70x120 inch rectangular tablecloth. Subtract 30 from 70 to get 40 inches wide (70-30=40) and then subtract 72 from 120 to get 48 inches long (120-72=48). Now divide those numbers by 2, giving you a 20 inch drop on width-wise and a 24 inch drop lengthwise (40/2=20 and 48/2=24).

If you know what size table you have and length of a drop you want, you can find out the tablecloth size you need by multiplying the drop length by 2, then adding the table width and length (if you want a non-uniform drop, you will have to individually calculate the width-wise and lengthwise drop lengths). For example, you have an 8 foot table (30 inch by 96 inch) and want an 11-12 inch drop across the long side, you multiply 11 by 2 (11x2=22); then individually add the table width and length to get 52 inches wide by 120 inches long (30+22=52 and 96+24=120, respectively), which means you need a 52x120 rectangular tablecloth to get a uniform tablecloth drop of 11-12 inches.

Standard tablecloth linen sizes for rectangular tables:

• 4 Foot rectangular banquet table: 52 x 72 tablecloth (standard Drop)
• 6 foot rectangular banquet table: 52 x 114 tablecloth (standard drop), and 90 x 132 tablecloth (full drop)
• 8 foot rectangular banquet table: 52 x 120 tablecloth (standard drop), and 90 x 156 tablecloth (full drop)

Common Rectangular Tablecloth Drop Lengths

(Standard 30" Table Height)	Banquet (Rectangular )Tablecloth Size
52” x 72” Rectangle	52” x 96” Rectangle	52” x 114” Rectangle	52” x 120” Rectangle	90” x 132” Rectangle	90” x 156” Rectangle
30”x 30” Square Table	11” x 21” Drop	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big
36”x 36” Square Table	8” x 18” Drop	8” x Floor Length Drop	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big
42”x 42” Square Table	5” x 15” Drop	5” x 27” Drop	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big
60”x 60” Square Table	Too Small	Too Small	Too Small	Too Small	Too Big	Too Big
4’x 30” Banquet Table	11” x 12” Drop	11” x 24” Drop	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big	Too Big
6’x 30” Banquet Table	11" x 0" Drop	11” x 12” Drop	11” x 21” Drop	11” x 24” Drop	To Floor on All Sides	Too Big
8’x 30” Banquet Table	Too Small	11" x 0" Drop	11" x 9" Drop	11” x 12” Drop	18” x Floor Length Drop	To Floor on All Sides

So, there you have it, some tips on how to choose the correct size tablecloth for your table. What’s the right size tablecloth for your table? Now you know! And if you don’t have a tablecloth or need a new one, Direct Textile Store has plenty of sizes and colors to choose from. Be sure to check out our giant selection and if you have questions or need assistance you can call our customer service department 800.615.5822.

Other Links:

Wholesale Round Tablecloths | Round Tablecloths for Weddings

Wholesale Round Tablecloths

Rectangular Tablecloths Wholesale | Wholesale Banquet Tablecloths

Wholesale Rectangular Tablecloths

Wholesale Square Tablecloths | Square Table Linen

Wholesale Square Tablecloths

Wholesale Linen Napkins | Bulk Napkins Wholesale

Linen Napkins | Wholesale | Bulk

Milliken Signature Plus Table Linen

Milliken Signature Plus Tablecloths

Table Linen | 100% Cotton

100% Cotton Table Linen

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Kelsi Kleven

Editor

Merchandising Specialist

If you need assistance, contact Direct Textile Store Customer Service at 800-615-5822