How To Order The Right Size of Tablecloth For Your Event, Party or Wedding

One of the most common questions we get asked at 88 Events Company is:

“What is the correct size of tablecloth to hire?”

Trestle cloths, round tablecloths, square tablecloths, over cloths, runners … There are a lot of options available and it can be confusing unless you know exactly what you are looking for. Fear not and read on, you’ll never question your tablecloth size judgment again!

Floor length tablecloths

Traditionally, banqueting tablecloths were ¾ length for practicality and there was only a choice of white! However, with the variety of colours, patterns and fabrics now available, the practicality of simply covering the table isn’t the most important factor anymore, now it’s about how the cloths can enhance the look of the tables and add to the overall styling of the event. Floor length cloths are the perfect tablecloth for an elegant look, whether it is for a breakout area of a conference, a wedding or a gala dinner.

132” round tablecloths

A round 132” cloth fits a 6ft table perfectly, with the edges gently resting on the floor. If you were to use this on a smaller table, simply tuck in the edges to give it a neat puff ball effect.

Our most popular 132” cloths?  Cornish Cream Vintage Damask & Black Essential

120” round tablecloths

A round 120” cloth fits a 5ft table perfectly, with the edges simply resting on the floor. It you were to use this on a 6ft table, it would come to approx ¾ of the drop to the floor. I don’t recommend this option!

Our most popular 120” cloth? White Essential

Trestle tablecloths

Made to fit a 6ft x 2.5ft standard trestle table and for it to be floor length the whole way around the table. If you are butting trestle tables together and don’t want an unsightly join down the middle, ask your supplier for a bespoke cloth to fit the run of tables, or a runner to hide the join. Most venues put trestle tables together for a top table at a wedding.

Our most popular trestle cloths? Black, cream or white essential cloths

96” round tablecloths

The primary use for a 96” cloth is for a 3ft round cake table at a wedding, where the cloth will be floor length. Also use 96” rounds as an over cloth with either a 132″ or 120” cloth underneath. If you have your own base linen these are great for adding another dimension to the tables and colour to the room.

Our most popular 96” cloths? Organza in a variety of colours and used as an over cloth

Runners

Add an extra splash of colour to your tables with a table runner. 88 Events standard runners are 18” x 102” and are used on 6ft tables, 5ft tables and trestle tables. If you require a runner for e.g. a top table at a wedding, then you should ask your supplier if they can provide you with a bespoke one that will run the full length of your top table.

Our most popular table runner? Taffeta table runners

A Simple Formula to Calculate Tablecloth Size:

1. Make sure you know the height and width (diameter) of the table to be covered. The standard height in the events or banqueting industry is usually 30”.

2. To calculate the drop of the table cloth, simply subtract the width of the table from the width of the table cloth. For example, a 6’ table = 72” diameter. 132”-72” = 60”. You then divide the difference by 2 to give you the drop on all sides = 30”. And voila, your table cloth will be floor length all the way round as the drop is the same height as the table!

On a 5’ round table you would need a 120” table cloth and a 108” will be floor length on a 4’ round table.

Similarly, a 120” round table cloth on a 6’ table will drop 6” from the floor, i.e. 120”-72” = 48”/2 = 24”. Subtract the 24” from the height of the table and you’re left with a table cloth that falls 6” above the floor.

Traditional banqueting linen sizes

Although we have a great love for floor length cloths, sometimes, old school banqueting can be required, so we have detailed the sizes and uses of standard banqueting tablecloths below.

54” x 54”, 70” x 70” and 90” x 90” square tablecloths

These cloths are used to create traditional diamond shapes on trestle and round tables to add an accent colour.

70” x 108” and 70” x 144” trestle tablecloths

These trestle cloths are most commonly used for coffee or serving stations. By using the 70” x 144” you can create an easily accessible storage area under the trestle table, whilst the cloth remains floor length on three sides, keeping stored items out of guests’ view.

88” and 108” circular tablecloths

These cloths are frequently used to dress smaller circular tables. The 88” will be 4” off the floor on a 3ft round table, where the 108” will be floor length on a 4ft round table.

118” and 130” circular tablecloths

Like the above cloths, these are normally used on 5ft and 6ft round tables respectively, and will fall approximately an inch from the floor.

All of the above can be hired from our Principle Linen range

Until next time…