The size of the tablecloth affects the aesthetics of the dining room and determines how comfortable it will be to use.
You can’t choose the tablecloth size randomly as it depends on plenty of factors.
It means if you have a 6-foot table and don’t know what size tablecloth for 6 foot table, a few simple calculations can help you out.
In the following we have listed some standard size tablecloths that require a 6 foot table and revealed the theory to calculate the exact size based on the shape of the table.
What Size Tablecloth For 6 Foot Table?
While a lack of cloth on the edges can make the table cloth look irregular, too many long drops seem untidy.
Therefore, using the right size tablecloth for the table is very important.
But picking the right tablecloth depends on the shape and size of the table, and it needs to go through some calculations. Before the discussion on them briefly,

Let’s have a quick look at some minimum sizes of table cloth based on the table shape
Shape of table | Minimum Dimensions of Table Cloth |
---|---|
Round | 120 inches |
Rectangle | 132 inches x 90 inches |
Oblong | 132 inches x 90 inches |
Square | 84 inches |
How to determine the right size tablecloth for a 6 foot table
Whether your table is 6 feet or 12 feet, picking the right size tablecloth largely depends on the shape of the table.
In general, a table can come in different shapes, including rectangular, round, square, and oblong.
If you want a tablecloth to complement your table, you must be aware of its size based on the shape as it affects the aesthetics of the décor.
So you can’t choose a tablecloth randomly thinking that it will fit on your table.
If you want a perfect-sized tablecloth for your different table shapes and want an aesthetically pleasing look, follow these measurements:
Round Table Linen

To determine the right size tablecloth, you’ll require two measurements, including the size of the table and the desired drop. Since you have a 6-foot table, let’s find out the second one.
The table drop is the length of the tablecloth that remains hanging from the tabletop.
The length of the table drop depends on the shape and size of the table.
For the round table linen, you can determine its size simply by subtracting the table diameter from the diameter of the linen and then dividing by 2.
For example, if you have a 72-inch round table and a 120-inch table cloth, then the calculation will be:
120-72= 48/2=24
It means you will need a 24-inch drop for your 120-inch table cloth on the 72-inch table.
Once you know the table size and desired drop, you can then estimate the right size tablecloth very easily.
Let’s say you have a 72-inch table and you are considering a 24-inch drop. The calculation will be:
24×2= 48,
After adding the table size
72+48= 120
It means you will need a 120-inch tablecloth for your 72-inch table.
Square Table Linen

You can follow the same formula to determine the right size tablecloth for your 72-inch square table.
To determine the drop, subtract the length of the table from the linen size and then divide the result by 2.
For your 72-inch square table and 84-inch table linen, the calculation will be
84-72= 12/2= 6
It means the drop should be 6 inches from the table to the floor.
After measuring the table length and finding the desired drop, let’s determine the actual size of the tablecloth. Following the formula
6×2=12
For 72 inch table
72=12=84
So you’ll need an 84-inch tablecloth for your 72-inch square table.
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Rectangular Table Linen

To figure out the drop length of the tablecloth for your rectangular table, you have to deduct the length of the table from the length of the linen and the width of the table from the width of the linen.
And then you have to divide the differences by two.
For example, if you have a 6-foot standard rectangular table, then its length will be 72 inches and its width will be 30 inches.
And you can consider a 70×120 inch rectangular tablecloth for your 6 foot table at the initial stage. So the calculation will be:
For the length
120-72=48/2=24
The length of the drop will be 24 inch
For the width
70-30=40/2=20
The width of the drop should be 20 inches.
Now that you have got the table dimensions and the desired length and width of the drop, move to the next step to determine the right size tablecloth.
The formula is that you have to multiply the drop length by two and add the dimension of the table.
But if you wish for a non-uniform drop, you’ll need to calculate length-wise and width-wise separately.
For example, if you have a 6-foot table that is 72 inches long and 30 inches wide and want a 20-inch drop, the calculation for the tablecloth will be:
For the 20×2=40
Then add the table length and width individually with this amount of drop
For the length
72+40= 102
For width
30+40= 70
It means you’ll require a 70×102 rectangular tablecloth for your 6 foot rectangular table.
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The Amount Of Drop Should Be Considered On A Tablecloth

After checking all those calculations based on the shape of the table, you may feel confused.
Don’t worry; the drop length is only a matter of personal preferences. It means you can consider any amount of drop.
But the drop length affects the overall size of the tablecloth and considering too much or too small can make the appearance of the table awkward.
Thus, it’s worth following a few basic rules to get the standard look on the dining table.
Standard drop
If you want a casual look or need to use the tablecloth regularly, consider a shorter drop. It means the drop length should be between 6-8 inches.
For formal occasion
For formal events like birthday parties and anniversaries, you can consider a half drop. It means the tablecloth should hang 14-16 inches off the table.
For big events
If you need to decorate the dining tables for large events like banquets, weddings, or conferences, you can consider a full drop.
It means you can let the tablecloth drop to the floor and the length of the drop will be 30 inches.
Special occasions
In this case, you should go for a puddle drop that extends beyond the table height.
The amount of drop depends on the material of the table and the look you want.
For this, you can consider a 2-inch drop. Choosing this smaller drop will also prevent your material from falling.
FAQs
How Much Bigger Should A Tablecloth Be Than The Table?
The drop length of the tablecloth depends on the table size itself and the table you are decorating. For a casual event, you can consider a 6-8 inch drop, while a 15-inch drop would be advisable for more formal occasions.
How To Know What Size Tablecloth Is Required?
To determine the right size tablecloth, you must measure the length and width of your table. To make the job easier, you can measure from the center to the outside and multiply the measurement by 2. Then you have to consider the drop length and multiply it by two and add it to the original dimension of the table.
Final words
Wrapping the table with the right size tablecloth is crucial to elevate the look of the décor and ensure a comfortable experience.
After understanding all those formulas and examples, now do you realize what size a tablecloth is for 6 foot table? Hope yes.
But estimating the right size table isn’t the last step of having the desired appearance and performance.
The quality and look of the tablecloth is also important factor to consider which we’ll discuss later.