What drop should a tablecloth have?

A standard drop is 25-30cm for casual dining. For formal events, 30-40cm. Floor-length drops (75-80cm) are popular for weddings and gala events. The drop is the overhang on each side from the table edge to where the cloth hangs.

What size tablecloth for a 5ft round table?

A 5ft (150cm) round table needs a 210cm round cloth for a 30cm drop, or a 230cm cloth for a 40cm drop. For floor-length, you need approximately a 300cm round cloth. Always measure your tables before ordering.

Should I buy or hire tablecloths?

Hiring is usually better value and less hassle. Hire costs £3-£8 per cloth and includes laundering. Buying costs £5-£25 each plus washing. For a one-off event, hiring is almost always cheaper. Buy if you will use them multiple times.

How many spare cloths do I need?

Have 1-2 spare tablecloths for accidents (red wine spills are the classic problem). For events over 10 tables, have 2-3 spares. If hiring, add spare cloths to your order - they are cheap insurance.

Tablecloth Calculator — Sizes & Quantities

Calculate tablecloth sizes and quantities for your tables.

Number of Tables

How many tables need dressing for your event

Table Shape & SizeRound 150cm = 5ft (seats 8–10); round 180cm = 6ft (seats 10–12); trestle 180×60cm seats 6–8

Desired Drop

Overhang per side: 15–20cm casual, 25–30cm formal, ~75cm floor-length on a standard 76cm-high table

Cost per Cloth

Price per cloth — hire is typically £3–£8 (laundering included), buying £5–£25

Spare Cloths

1–2 spares cover spills (red wine is the classic); 2–3 for 10+ tables

How We Calculate This

This calculator works out tablecloth sizes based on table dimensions and desired drop.

Formula

Round tables: cloth diameter = table diameter + (drop × 2)
Rectangular: cloth = (width + drop × 2) × (length + drop × 2)
Total cloths = tables + spares + (overlay cloths per table × tables). Overlay cloths default to 0 and are only added when set under Advanced Options.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.