What Size Tablecloth Do I Need?
Choosing the right tablecloth size depends on two things: the size of your tabletop and how far you would like the tablecloth to hang over the edge.
For most dining tables, a tablecloth drop of around 20 to 30 cm on each side works well. A 20 cm drop looks shorter and more practical, 25 cm gives a balanced appearance, while 30 cm creates a slightly more generous and formal look.
This guide goes beyond the basic calculation. It shows you which tablecloth sizes are actually available for common table dimensions and how much drop each size will give you.
How Far Should a Tablecloth Hang Over the Edge?
The tablecloth drop is the part of the fabric that hangs down from the edge of the tabletop. The right drop therefore depends not only on the size of your table, but also on the look you want to achieve.
A practical choice for everyday dining and for tables where you prefer the cloth not to hang too far down. More of the table legs remain visible.
A good all-round choice for many dining tables. The tablecloth hangs clearly below the tabletop without looking excessively long.
Creates a more generous and slightly more formal appearance. A 30 cm drop works particularly well when you want the fabric to fall more visibly below the tabletop.
If you are unsure how much tablecloth drop you prefer, you can test the different lengths directly on your own table before ordering.
Simply place a tea towel or a piece of fabric over the edge of the tabletop and measure 20, 25 or 30 cm down from the table edge.
This gives you an immediate impression of how far the finished tablecloth will hang down and whether you prefer a shorter or a more generous drop.
How to Calculate the Right Tablecloth Size
Add the desired drop to both sides of the tabletop dimensions. In other words, the drop must be added twice to the table length and twice to the table width.
Example: Your table measures 90 × 180 cm and you would like a tablecloth drop of approximately 25 cm on each side.
90 + 25 + 25 = 140 cm
180 + 25 + 25 = 230 cm
A tablecloth measuring 140 × 230 cm will therefore give you a drop of approximately 25 cm on all four sides of this table.
How to Measure Your Table for a Tablecloth
Always measure the tabletop itself. Once you know the table dimensions, add the desired tablecloth drop to determine the size you need.
Measure the tabletop from edge to edge. Then add twice the desired drop to both the table length and the table width.
Measure the diameter of the tabletop through the centre. Then add twice the desired drop, for example 20, 25 or 30 cm, to calculate the required tablecloth diameter.
Measure the widest and longest points of the tabletop. Also check the shape carefully: most of our oval tablecloths are made in a stadium shape with straight long sides and rounded ends.
For all tablecloths in our range, the stated dimensions refer to the intended finished size after washing.
Any expected fabric shrinkage is already taken into account during production. The tablecloth is therefore supplied slightly larger before its first wash.
This means you do not need to add any extra allowance for shrinkage when choosing your tablecloth size.
What Size Tablecloth Do I Need for a Rectangular Table?
For rectangular tables, the drop is calculated separately for the length and the width. A drop of around 25 cm on each side gives a balanced look on many dining tables.
The chart below matches common table sizes with tablecloth sizes that are actually available in our range. Please note that not every size is available in every design or collection.
| Table size | Recommended tablecloth | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 80 × 120 cm | 130 × 170 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 80 × 170 cm | 130 × 220 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 80 × 230 cm | 130 × 280 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 90 × 130 cm | 140 × 180 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 90 × 180 cm | 140 × 230 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 90 × 190 cm | 140 × 240 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 90 × 230 cm | 140 × 280 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 90 × 250 cm | 140 × 300 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 90 × 310 cm | 140 × 360 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 90 × 350 cm | 140 × 400 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 110 × 210 cm | 160 × 260 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 110 × 300 cm | 160 × 350 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 110 × 350 cm | 160 × 400 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 130 × 200 cm | 180 × 250 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 130 × 250 cm | 180 × 300 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
Depending on the collection, there may not always be a size that gives you exactly 25 cm of drop on every side. In that case, both a slightly shorter and a slightly more generous option may work well.
140 × 260 cm → 25 cm at the sides, 20 cm at the ends
140 × 280 cm → 25 cm at the sides, 30 cm at the ends
Both sizes are suitable. The better choice depends on whether you prefer a slightly shorter or more generous drop at the ends of the table.
What Size Tablecloth Do I Need for a Round Table?
Calculating the right size for a round table is particularly simple: subtract the diameter of the tabletop from the diameter of the tablecloth and divide the difference by two. The result is the tablecloth drop all around the table.
The chart below uses only round tablecloth sizes that are actually available in our range. Depending on the diameter of your table, more than one size may be suitable.
| Table diameter | Recommended tablecloth | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| Ø 80 cm | Ø 130 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 90 cm | Ø 130 cm | 20 cm |
| Ø 100 cm | Ø 160 cm | 30 cm |
| Ø 110 cm | Ø 160 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 120 cm | Ø 160 cm | 20 cm |
| Ø 130 cm | Ø 180 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 140 cm | Ø 180 cm | 20 cm |
| Ø 150 cm | Ø 200 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 160 cm | Ø 210 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 170 cm | Ø 220 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 180 cm | Ø 220 cm | 20 cm |
| Ø 190 cm | Ø 240 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 200 cm | Ø 240 cm | 20 cm |
| Ø 210 cm | Ø 260 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 220 cm | Ø 260 cm | 20 cm |
| Ø 230 cm | Ø 280 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 240 cm | Ø 280 cm | 20 cm |
| Ø 250 cm | Ø 300 cm | 25 cm |
| Ø 260 cm | Ø 300 cm | 20 cm |
For a table measuring Ø 160 cm, three of our standard tablecloth sizes can work well. The only difference is how far the cloth hangs below the edge of the table.
All three sizes are suitable for the same table. Your choice simply depends on how far you would like the tablecloth to hang below the tabletop.
For particularly large round tables, we offer ready-made tablecloths in Ø 240, Ø 260, Ø 280 and Ø 300 cm. This makes it possible to cover large round dining and banquet tables with an even drop all around.
What Size Tablecloth Do I Need for an Oval Table?
For an oval table, measure the maximum width and maximum length of the tabletop. The drop is then calculated in the same way as for a rectangular table.
The shape of the tabletop is also important. Most of our ready-made oval tablecloths are made in a stadium shape, with straight long sides and rounded ends.
| Table size | Recommended tablecloth | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 80 × 160 cm | 130 × 220 cm | 25 cm at the sides · 30 cm at the ends |
| 90 × 170 cm | 130 × 220 cm | 20 cm at the sides · 25 cm at the ends |
| 100 × 160 cm | 160 × 220 cm | 30 cm on all sides |
| 110 × 170 cm | 160 × 220 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 120 × 180 cm | 160 × 220 cm | 20 cm on all sides |
| 100 × 200 cm | 160 × 250 cm | 30 cm at the sides · 25 cm at the ends |
| 110 × 200 cm | 160 × 250 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 120 × 210 cm | 160 × 250 cm | 20 cm on all sides |
| 100 × 220 cm | 160 × 280 cm | 30 cm on all sides |
| 110 × 230 cm | 160 × 280 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 120 × 240 cm | 160 × 280 cm | 20 cm on all sides |
| 120 × 220 cm | 170 × 270 cm | 25 cm on all sides |
| 130 × 230 cm | 170 × 270 cm | 20 cm on all sides |
For a table measuring 110 × 200 cm, an oval tablecloth measuring 160 × 250 cm is a good fit.
160 − 110 = 50 cm
→ 25 cm drop on each side
250 − 200 = 50 cm
→ 25 cm drop at each end
In this example, the tablecloth will therefore have an even drop of approximately 25 cm all around.
Most of our oval tablecloths have straight long sides and rounded ends. This is often called a stadium shape and is commonly found on round extension tables that become longer when one or more centre leaves are added.
A true elliptical tabletop, by contrast, has curved sides along its entire length. A stadium-shaped tablecloth may therefore hang differently on an elliptical table. Before ordering, compare not only the length and width, but also the actual outline of your tabletop.
What About Extension Tables, Benches and Unusual Table Sizes?
Not every table can be judged by a simple formula alone. With extension tables, bench seating or unusual tabletop dimensions, it is worth considering how the table will actually be used.
If you regularly use your table in both configurations, measure it once when closed and once when fully extended.
Then check whether one tablecloth size works for both, or whether two different sizes would be more practical.
If one side of the table stands permanently against a wall, a shorter drop on that side may be more practical than on the visible sides.
In this situation, the way the tablecloth looks and functions in the room matters more than perfect symmetry.
A very long tablecloth drop can be more noticeable when sitting on a bench than when using individual chairs.
If possible, test a 20, 25 or 30 cm drop on the bench side before choosing your final size.
If your table dimensions fall between two available tablecloth sizes, both options may work.
The smaller size will give you a shorter drop, while the next larger size will hang further below the tabletop.
On long dining or banquet tables, the tablecloth width may fit very well while there are several possible options for the drop at the short ends.
In this case, compare the actual drop rather than looking only at the nominal tablecloth dimensions.
With strongly rounded, angled or asymmetrical tabletops, the maximum length and width do not always tell the full story.
Compare the outline of the tabletop with the shape of the tablecloth as well, so you can better judge how the fabric will fall around the edges.
Choose the Right Tablecloth for Your Table
Once you know your table dimensions and preferred drop, you can use the size filters in the relevant category to find tablecloths that match your requirements.
Plain white cotton tablecloths in a wide range of rectangular and square sizes, including extra-long sizes for large dining and banquet tables.
View white tablecloths →White cotton damask tablecloths with woven patterns, available in numerous sizes for elegant dining tables, celebrations and formal occasions.
View damask tablecloths →Round tablecloths in a wide range of diameters, from smaller dining tables to large round banquet tables.
View round tablecloths →Ready-made oval tablecloths for suitable oval tabletops and extension tables, available in several practical sizes.
View oval tablecloths →Frequently Asked Questions About Tablecloth Sizes
No. For all tablecloths in our range, the stated dimensions refer to the intended finished size after washing. Any expected shrinkage is already taken into account during production.
In many cases, both sizes can work. The smaller tablecloth will give you a shorter drop, while the next larger size will hang further below the tabletop. The best choice depends on the look and drop you prefer.
Measure the table both when closed and when fully extended. If you regularly use both configurations, compare the resulting tablecloth sizes and decide whether one size works for both or whether two different sizes would be more practical.
No. An even drop often gives a balanced appearance, but it is not essential. If the table stands against a wall, is used with a bench or has unusual dimensions, different drops on different sides may be more practical.
Check both the dimensions and the shape of your tabletop. Most of our oval tablecloths are made in a stadium shape with straight long sides and rounded ends. On a true elliptical table, the fabric may therefore hang differently.
Place a tea towel or a piece of fabric over the edge of your table and measure 20, 25 or 30 cm down from the tabletop. This gives you a quick visual impression of how far the tablecloth will hang before you place your order.