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Shopping for bulk tablecloths gets complicated. With variations in shape, material, and size, finding the right tablecloth (and the right quantity) for your special event can be overwhelming. We get it. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide to help you make the right choice for your wedding, party, or event.
Let’s start by defining a few terms:
Drop describes the length of tablecloth that hangs over the side of your table.
A floor-length drop is a length of tablecloth that hangs over the side of your table and reaches the floor. While short drops are perfect for a dining room table or home use, floor-length drops are used to bring elegance to higher-end events such as a wedding or classy fundraiser.
A puddle drop describes a length of tablecloth hanging over the side of the table that extends beyond the height of the table allowing the tablecloth to puddle on the floor. Certainly a trendy, luxurious look, event planners often opt for puddle drop for tables not seating guests, such as a gift table or reception card table, so that excess cloth doesn’t trip up guests.
The highlighted combinations below indicate appropriate tablecloth sizes for a given table.
See the chart below to find your tablecloths based on your table size and preferred drop. All measurements assume a standard table height of 30 inches. Also, both round tables and round tablecloths are named by their diameter (a straight line that bisects a circle). For example a 30” round table has a diameter of 30 inches. A 120” round tablecloth has a diameter of 120 inches.
| 70" Round Tablecloth | 90" Round Tablecloth | 108" Round Tablecloth | 120" Round Tablecloth | 132" Round Tablecloth | |
| 30" Round Table | 20" Drop, 10" from Floor | To the Floor | Puddle Drop | Too Large | Too Large |
| 36" Round Table | 17" Drop, 13" from Floor | 27" Drop, 3" from Floor | Puddle Drop | Too Large | Too Large |
| 42" Round Table | 14" Drop, 16" from Floor | 24" Drop, 6" from Floor | Puddle Drop | Too Large | Too Large |
| 48" Round Table | 11" Drop, 19" from Floor | 21" Drop, 9" from Floor | To the Floor | Puddle Drop | Too Large |
| 54" Round Table | 8" Drop, 22" from Floor | 18" Drop, 12" from Floor | 27" Drop, 3" from Floor | Puddle Drop | Too Large |
| 60" Round Table | Too Small | 15" Drop, 15" from Floor | 24" Drop, 6" from Floor | To the Floor | Puddle Drop |
| 66" Round Table | Too Small | 12" Drop, 18" from Floor | 21" Drop, 9" from Floor | 27" Drop, 3" from Floor | Puddle Drop |
| 72" Round Table | Too Small | Too Small | 18" Drop, 12" from Floor | 24" Drop, 6" from Floor | To the Floor |
We have convenient charts above so that you don’t have to make the calculations yourself. But just in case you’d like to know, you can calculate the drop on a round tablecloth like this.
(Tablecloth diameter – Table diameter) divided by 2 = Drop
30” standard table height – Drop = How far from the floor the tablecloth will reach
(120” round tablecloth – 60” round table) / 2 = 30” Drop 30” standard table height – 30” Drop = 0 (i.e., the cloth reaches to the floor)
Note: If you have a drop larger than 30 inches, you have a puddle drop.
Use this chart to figure out the number of tables (and the square footage) you’ll need to accommodate your guests. Then you can buy the right quantity of tablecloths based on the number of tables you need and the space available.
| # Seats | Sq Footage Required | |
| 30" Round Table | 2-3 | 7'x7' |
| 36" Round Table | 3-4 | 8'x8' |
| 42" Round Table | 4-5 | 8.5'x8.5' |
| 48" Round Table | 4-6 | 9'x9' |
| 54" Round Table | 6-7 | 9.5'x9.5' |
| 60" Round Table | 6-8 | 10'x10' |
| 66" Round Table | 7-9 | 10.5'x10.5' |
| 72" Round Table | 8-10 | 11'x11' |
See the chart below to find your non-fitted polyester tablecloths based on the most common table sizes and your preferred drop. These tablecloths are one single piece of fabric you center on the table so equivalent drops can hang over the long and short sides of the table. All measurements assume a standard table height of 30 inches and a width of 30 inches. Also, just in case you weren’t sure, rectangular tables are named for the length of the table. This means that a standard 4-foot table is 4 feet long by 30 inches wide by 30 inches high.
| 60"x102" Tablecloth | 60"x126" Tablecloth | 90"x132" Tablecloth | 90" x156" Tablecloth | |
| 4' Rectangular Table | Long side: 15" DropShort side: 27" Drop | Too Large | Too Large | Too Large |
| 6' Rectangular Table | Long side: 15" DropShort side: 15" Drop | Long side: 15" DropShort side: 27" Drop | To the Floor | Too Large |
| 8' Rectangular Table | Too Small | Long side: 15" DropShort side: 15" Drop | Long side: To the FloorShort side: 18" Drop | To the Floor |
We have convenient charts above so that you don’t have to make the calculations yourself. But just in case you’d like to know, you can calculate the drop on a rectangular tablecloth like this:
Long-side Drop (Tablecloth width – Table width) divided by 2 = Drop that hangs over the long-side edges of the table
Short-side Drop (Tablecloth length – Table length) divided by 2 = Drop that hangs over the short-side edges of the table
30” standard table height – Drop (short- or long-side) = How far from the floor the tablecloth will reach
Assuming a 6-foot (72 inches) table, and a 90”x132” tablecloth
Long-side Drop (90” tablecloth width – 30” table width) / 2 = 30” Drop
Short-side Drop (132” tablecloth length – 72” table length / 2 = 30” Drop
30” standard table height – 30” Drop = 0 (i.e., the cloth reaches to the floor on all sides)
Note: If you have a drop larger than 30 inches, you have a puddle drop.
Use this chart to figure out the number of tables (and the square footage) you’ll need to accommodate your guests. Then you can buy the right quantity of tablecloths based on the number of tables you need.
| # Seats | Sq Footage Required | |
| 4' Rectangular Table | 4-6 | 10-12 sq ft per person |
| 6' Rectangular Table | 6-8 | 10-12 sq ft per person |
| 8' Rectangular Table | 8-10 | 10-12 sq ft per person |
Most events will have round or rectangular tables. For square tablecloths, the common trend is to use them on round tables or highboy cocktail tables for a varying and angular dropline. We recommend using our 72-inch by 72-inch square tablecloths on 30-inch to 54-inch round tables. For highboy round cocktail tables, we recommend our 54-inch by 54-inch square tablecloths.
Another popular choice is the fitted tablecloth, designed so that the hard creases are already present along the corners of your table. Our fitted tablecloths come in polyester and spandex. Our Polyester Fitted Rectangular Tablecloths are a more traditional fabric choice for dining, banquet tables, and tradeshows, while our Spandex Fitted Rectangular Tablecloths deliver a sleek look for serving tables, presentation tables, or bars. Polyester fitted tablecloths have a consistent floor drop on all sides while spandex fitted tablecloths have arched bottoms.
Please note, the spandex fitted tablecloth is NOT for dining tables where guests will be seated. Spandex tablecloths fit very tight. While the material presents an attractive look for your event, the fit does not give enough room for guests to fit their legs under the table.
See the chart below to find your tablecloths based on your table size. All measurements assume a standard table height of 30 inches and a width of 30 inches.
| 4' Fitted Tablecloth | 6' Fitted Tablecloth | 8' Fitted Tablecloth | |
| 4' Rectangular Table | To the Floor | Too Large | Too Large |
| 6' Rectangular Table | Too Small | To the Floor | Too Large |
| 8' Rectangular Table | Too Small | Too Small | To the Floor |
We carry Round Fitted Spandex Tablecloths for 60-inch tables, perfect for food displays, gift tables, tradeshow exhibits, and more. Like the rectangular fitted spandex tablecloths, our round spandex fitted tablecloths are NOT for dining tables where guests will be seated.
Standard cocktail high-top or high-boy tables are 30 inches in diameter and are approximately 42 inches tall. Covering a cocktail table with our Spandex Fitted Tablecloth provides an elegant look to your event. Because cocktail tables are most often used when standing or using stools, form-fitting spandex is a convenient, sleek choice, though we do also offer Square Polyester Tablecloths for a variated drop line if you prefer that design look.
Cocktail tables tend to either have a single center post (I-Style Base) or have multiple legs that cross in the middle (X-Style Base). It is important to know whether your cocktail tables will have an I-Style Base or an X-Style Base. The difference is that at the bottom of the spandex tablecloth, there will either be pockets for 4 legs for an X-Style Base or a more simplified I-Style Base bottom.
Now that you know all about tablecloth sizes and quantity, it’s time to find the perfect tablecloths for your big event. Shop below and enjoy our free and fast shipping. Happy shopping!
Want more information on how to care for your tablecloths? Read our Tablecloth Care Guide for information on washing, drying, ironing, and storing your fabric tablecloths.
