LookHow long should a tablecloth hang? A casual drop is 6–8 in (15–20 cm), a formal drop is 10–15 in (25–38 cm), and floor-length is about 30 in (76 cm). Add the drop to both sides of the table.
Get your exact size: use the tablecloth size calculator ↗
How do you calculate tablecloth size?
Measure the tabletop, decide how far the cloth should hang over each edge, and add that drop twice, once for each side. For a rectangle, do this for both the length and the width. For a round table, add twice the drop to the diameter. Sur La Table's tablecloth guide uses the same formula.
A 36 × 72 in (91 × 183 cm) table with an 8 in (20 cm) drop needs a cloth of 52 × 88 in (132 × 224 cm). A common 60 × 84 in (152 × 213 cm) cloth gives the same table a 12 in (30 cm) drop along the sides and a 6 in (15 cm) drop at the ends.
Round up to the next size sold rather than down. A cloth a few inches too long still drapes; one that is too short leaves the table edge showing.
How far should a tablecloth hang over the edge?
The casual and formal drops in the answer above follow Sur La Table's guide; the floor-length drop of about 30 in (76 cm) is the length CV Linens uses in its size guide.
Sources label the middle ground differently. Home retailers treat about 15 in (38 cm) as formal, while event-linen sellers often call 15 in (38 cm) standard and reserve formal for floor length. Choose a drop that clears your guests' knees and suits the occasion.
Make this personal: compare a plan against your budget and start with the pieces you need.
What size tablecloth fits a 48-, 60- or 72-inch round table?
CV Linens lists round cloths for three drops. A 48 in (122 cm) table takes a 60 in (152 cm) cloth for a 6 in (15 cm) drop, 78 in (198 cm) for a 15 in (38 cm) drop and 108 in (274 cm) to reach the floor. A 60 in (152 cm) table takes 72 in (183 cm), 90 in (229 cm) or 120 in (305 cm), and a 72 in (183 cm) table takes 84 in (213 cm), 102 in (259 cm) or 132 in (335 cm).
What size tablecloth fits a table for four, six, eight or ten?
Sur La Table sizes rectangular cloths by seats: 52 × 70 in (132 × 178 cm) for four to six people, 60 × 84 in (152 × 213 cm) for six to eight, 60 × 104 in (152 × 264 cm) for eight to ten and 60 × 120 in (152 × 305 cm) for ten to twelve.
Seat ranges overlap between retailers, and tables with the same seat count vary in size. Check the drop against your own measurements before buying.
When is a runner better than a tablecloth?
Choose a runner when you want the tabletop to show, or when a full cloth would hang into guests' laps. A runner is also quicker to wash and store between holidays.
The ivory gauze runner in Gather in Sage measures 35 × 120 in (89 × 305 cm). On a 72 in (183 cm) table it hangs 24 in (61 cm) past each end, and on a 96 in (244 cm) table 12 in (30 cm).
| Table | 6 in (15 cm) drop | 8 in (20 cm) drop | 15 in (38 cm) drop | Floor length, about 30 in (76 cm) drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 in (122 cm) round | 60 in (152 cm) | 64 in (163 cm) | 78 in (198 cm) | 108 in (274 cm) |
| 60 in (152 cm) round | 72 in (183 cm) | 76 in (193 cm) | 90 in (229 cm) | 120 in (305 cm) |
| 72 in (183 cm) round | 84 in (213 cm) | 88 in (224 cm) | 102 in (259 cm) | 132 in (335 cm) |
| 36 × 60 in (91 × 152 cm) table | 48 × 72 in (122 × 183 cm) | 52 × 76 in (132 × 193 cm) | 66 × 90 in (168 × 229 cm) | 96 × 120 in (244 × 305 cm) |
| 36 × 72 in (91 × 183 cm) table | 48 × 84 in (122 × 213 cm) | 52 × 88 in (132 × 224 cm) | 66 × 102 in (168 × 259 cm) | 96 × 132 in (244 × 335 cm) |
| 40 × 96 in (102 × 244 cm) table | 52 × 108 in (132 × 274 cm) | 56 × 112 in (142 × 284 cm) | 70 × 126 in (178 × 320 cm) | 100 × 156 in (254 × 396 cm) |
| Cloth size (in / cm) | Seats |
|---|---|
| 52 × 70 in (132 × 178 cm) | 4 to 6 |
| 60 × 84 in (152 × 213 cm) | 6 to 8 |
| 60 × 104 in (152 × 264 cm) | 8 to 10 |
| 60 × 120 in (152 × 305 cm) | 10 to 12 |
Plan it with free LookBundle tools
- Thanksgiving table-setting calculator ↗
Enter your guest count and the plates, napkins, placemats, glasses and flatware you already own. It works out how many packs to buy, what will be left over and the planning total.
- Seating chart maker ↗
Add your guests, set up round or long tables with the seats each one has, then tap a name and a seat. Print matching fold-over place cards when the plan is done. It saves in your browser, with no sign-in.
- Find my bundle ↗
Answer three questions about your project, your budget and whether you want essentials or the full look, then compare a matched plan you can edit.
A runner and placemats with listed sizes
The runner and woven placemats from Gather in Sage link to their exact Amazon listings. Use them when you want the tabletop to show.
Ivory gauze table runner
Socomi · Ivory cotton cheesecloth runner, 35 × 120 in, 1 piece
View this listing on Amazon ↗
Natural woven placemats
HaxHut · Natural golden water-hyacinth woven placemats, 13.5 in, pack of 6
View this listing on Amazon ↗
A QUICK PLANNING CHECK
Would your tablecloth fit?
A 36 × 72 in (91 × 183 cm) table with an 8 in (20 cm) drop needs which cloth?
Common questions
What size tablecloth fits a 6-foot table?
Measure the width first. For a 36 × 72 in (91 × 183 cm) table, a 52 × 88 in (132 × 224 cm) cloth gives a casual 8 in (20 cm) drop and a 66 × 102 in (168 × 259 cm) cloth gives a formal 15 in (38 cm) drop.
How much should a tablecloth hang over the edge?
A casual drop is 6–8 in (15–20 cm), a formal drop is 10–15 in (25–38 cm), and floor-length is about 30 in (76 cm). Add the drop to both sides of the table.
What size tablecloth fits a 60-inch round table?
A 72 in (183 cm) round cloth gives a 6 in (15 cm) drop, a 90 in (229 cm) cloth gives a 15 in (38 cm) drop and a 120 in (305 cm) cloth reaches the floor.
Turn the idea into your own plan
Explore the Rosé Soirée shopping list, remove what you own and review each product’s specifications. The full list has a $295 USD planning allowance before your changes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These are independent budget allowances, not current retailer prices or promised savings. Check the exact listing, variant, quantity and delivery estimate before buying.
Keep planning
Sources & further reading
- Sur La Table: tablecloth buying guide — Tablecloth sizing formula, drop lengths and sizes by seats.
- CV Linens: tablecloth size guide — Round tablecloth sizes for different drops, including floor length.