Tablecloth Size Calculator: What Size Linen for Your Event Tables
Pick your table, its height and how far you want the cloth to hang. Get the cloth size you need, the nearest common rental linen size, how many linens to order with spares, and a size chart for banquet, round and cocktail tables.
Size the Linens for Your Tables
90 x 132 in
Nearest common linen size
30 in drop all round. Check your rental company stocks it.
90 x 132 in
Cloth size needed
Table plus a 30 in drop on every side.
22
Linens to order
20 tables plus 2 spare.
| Table shape | Rectangle or banquet |
|---|---|
| Drop asked for | 30 in |
| Cloth needed | 90 x 132 in |
| Common size | 90 x 132 in |
| Real drop with it | 30 in drop all round |
The formula
Table length + 2 × drop = cloth length.
Table width + 2 × drop = cloth width (round and square: the same).
Floor length: drop = table height − any floor clearance.
Tables × (1 + spare %), rounded up = linens.
Planning estimate. The sizes are common US rental sizes, not a standard, and every rental company stocks its own range. Count the tables first with the event table calculator, then confirm sizes, colors and delivery with the questions to ask an event rental company.
How the Tablecloth Size Calculator Works
1. Measure the table
Length and width for a banquet table, the diameter for a round or cocktail table, and the height. A 6 ft banquet table is 72 x 30 in and 30 in high. Rental tables vary by an inch or two, so measure if you can.
2. Choose the drop
The drop is how far the cloth hangs below the table edge. Floor length hides the legs and any boxes stored underneath, which is why exhibitor and registration tables are usually dressed to the floor. Lap length suits seated dinners where guests pull in close.
3. Add twice the drop
The cloth hangs on both sides, so add the drop twice to each dimension. Worked example at the defaults: a 6 ft table to the floor needs 72 + 2 x 30 = 132 in by 30 + 2 x 30 = 90 in.
4. Round up to a common size
Pick the smallest common rental size at least that big: 90 x 132 in for the example. When it rounds up, the cloth hangs a little longer than you asked, and the calculator shows by how much.
5. Count linens with spares
One cloth per table plus a spare share for spills: 20 tables plus 10% is 22 linens. Not sure how many tables yet? The event table calculator counts them from your guest list, and the room capacity calculator checks they fit the room.
The setup style decides which tables you need in the first place: compare banquet, classroom and cocktail layouts in our guide to event room setup styles, then confirm linen sizes, colors, delivery and damage terms with these questions to ask an event rental company.
Drops and Common Linen Sizes
The drop styles this calculator uses, and the common US rental sizes it rounds up to. They are planning examples, not a standard: every rental company stocks its own range, so check availability.
| Drop style | Drop |
|---|---|
| Lap lengthCovers the top and hangs to about a seated guest's lap. 8 to 12 in is usual. | 8 in (8 to 12 in is usual) |
| Half dropAbout halfway to the floor. Table legs show below. | 15 in |
| Floor lengthDrop equals the table height, so the cloth reaches the floor and hides the legs. | Table height, less any clearance |
| Custom dropType your own drop, for example to match a venue's standard. | Your own figure |
| Cloth shape | Common sizes |
|---|---|
| Rectangle | 60 x 90 in, 60 x 102 in, 60 x 120 in, 90 x 108 in, 90 x 132 in, 90 x 156 in |
| Round | 70 in round, 90 in round, 108 in round, 120 in round, 132 in round |
| Square | 54 x 54 in, 72 x 72 in, 85 x 85 in, 90 x 90 in |
Exhibitor and Vendor Tables
Trade show and vendor fair booths often come with a 6 ft or 8 ft table. A floor-length cloth (90 x 132 in or 90 x 156 in) hides boxes under the table. Fitted throws and stretch covers are sold by table size rather than cloth size, so order those by the table, and a printed logo throw follows the printer’s own template. If you supply tables to exhibitors, say in the exhibitor kit which size they get and whether a cloth comes with it.
Draw the Tables to Scale with Map D
Map D doesn’t order, count or track linens. It helps before that: in Map D’s floor plan editor, tables and booths are drawn to scale on your floor plan, so you can see how many 6 ft tables, rounds and booths fit the room and count them for the rental order. Any layout starts in our event floor plan software, and room diagrams for banquets and meetings are covered by our event diagramming software. You can build one event’s floor plan free; publishing and sharing it needs a paid plan, and Basic starts at $3,499.
Tablecloth Size Chart for Common Event Tables
Each table at this calculator’s defaults: lap length is an 8 in drop and floor length is a drop equal to the table height (30 in, or 42 in for the cocktail table), rounded up to the nearest common rental size. The lap column shows the real drop the cloth gives. Use the calculator above for other drops and tables.
| Table | Lap length | Floor length |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft banquet (48 x 30 in) | 60 x 90 in15 in sides, 21 in ends | 90 x 108 in |
| 6 ft banquet (72 x 30 in) | 60 x 90 in15 in sides, 9 in ends | 90 x 132 in |
| 8 ft banquet (96 x 30 in) | 60 x 120 in15 in sides, 12 in ends | 90 x 156 in |
| 48 in round | 70 in round11 in drop | 108 in round |
| 60 in round | 90 in round15 in drop | 120 in round |
| 72 in round | 90 in round9 in drop | 132 in round |
| 30 in cocktail, 42 in high | 70 in round20 in drop | 120 in roundPools about 3 in |
What this assumes
Every figure the calculator starts with, and where it comes from. Where the honest answer is that a number depends on your venue, it says so rather than inventing one.
- Cloth size
- Table length (or diameter, or side) plus twice the drop, by table width plus twice the drop. A round table takes a round cloth, a square table a square cloth and a rectangle or banquet table a rectangle cloth.
- Drop
- Lap length is an 8 in drop by default (8 to 12 in is usual), half drop 15 in, and floor length the table height, 30 in on a standard banquet or round table and about 42 in on a highboy cocktail table. These are this calculator's planning examples; type a custom drop to match your venue.
- Floor clearance
- Floor length assumes the hem just reaches the floor, which is how the standard floor-length sizes work. Add 0.5 to 1 in of floor clearance if you want hems to stay clean and out from under feet; the cloth size usually stays the same.
- Common linen sizes
- The smallest common US rental size of the same shape that is at least as big as the cloth you need both ways: rectangles 60 x 90, 60 x 102, 60 x 120, 90 x 108, 90 x 132 and 90 x 156 in; rounds 70, 90, 108, 120 and 132 in; squares 54, 72, 85 and 90 in. Because it rounds up, the real drop can be longer than you asked for, and the calculator shows it. Rental ranges vary, so check availability.
- Linens to order
- Tables times one plus the spare percentage, rounded up to whole linens. 10% is the default, enough to swap out a spill or a stained cloth on the day.
What it does not model
- Fitted table covers and stretch spandex covers. These are sold by table size (for example a 6 ft or 8 ft fitted throw), not by cloth size, so order them by the table.
- Overlays, toppers and runners laid over a base cloth, and chair covers and napkins.
- Trade show table throws with a printed logo. The vendor's template sets the size and print area.
- Tables of unusual height, adjustable legs or tables on risers. Measure the real height before you order floor length.
- Fabric shrinkage, hem allowances and how a fabric drapes. A cloth that is a little short can look fine in a heavy fabric and odd in a light one.
Estimate only, from the figures you entered. Not a quote. Last reviewed November 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
What size tablecloth do I need for a 6 ft table?
For a standard 6 ft banquet table (72 x 30 in, 30 in high), a 90 x 132 in tablecloth reaches the floor on all four sides. A 60 x 102 in cloth gives a 15 in half drop, and a 60 x 90 in cloth covers the top with about a 9 in drop at the ends and 15 in on the sides. For an exhibitor or vendor table you can also order a 6 ft fitted throw, which is sized by the table.
What size linen for a 60 inch round table?
A 120 in round tablecloth reaches the floor on a 60 in round table at the standard 30 in height (60 + 2 x 30). A 90 in round gives a 15 in drop, and a 108 in round hangs 24 in, about 6 in above the floor. For a 72 in round, use a 132 in round to the floor.
How do you calculate tablecloth size?
Measure the table's length and width (or diameter), decide the drop, and add twice the drop to each. Floor length means the drop equals the table height: on a 30 in high table, add 60 in to each dimension. Then pick the smallest common size that is at least that big, and check the real drop it gives.
What size is a floor-length tablecloth?
Floor length is a drop equal to the table height, usually 30 in, so the cloth size is the table size plus 60 in each way: 90 x 132 in for a 6 ft table, 90 x 156 in for an 8 ft table and 120 in round for a 60 in round. On a 42 in high cocktail table, a 120 in round on a 30 in top reaches the floor and pools about 3 in. If you want hems off the floor, allow 0.5 to 1 in of clearance.
Can Map D help me plan tables for my event?
Partly. Map D doesn't order, count or track linens, and it isn't a rental tool. It draws your room or hall to scale, with tables and booths placed on the floor plan, so you can see how many 6 ft or 8 ft tables, rounds and booths fit before you order from the rental company. You can build one event's floor plan free; publishing and sharing it needs a paid plan, and Basic starts at $3,499.
Sources
- Map D guide to event room setup styles (banquet, classroom and cocktail tables) · checked 2026-11-10
- Map D help center: the free plan and how to upgrade · checked 2026-11-10
- Map D pricing · checked 2026-09-18