Almost every party table in the US is the same object: a plastic-topped folding table, 30 inches high, in one of four lengths — 4 ft (48 in), 6 ft (72 in), 8 ft (96 in) and 10 ft (120 in). Once you know the length, the cover is arithmetic.
Short answer
Folding tables are 30 in high in four lengths: 48, 72, 96 and 120 in. Overhang at each end = (cover length − table length) ÷ 2. A 54 × 108 in cover leaves 30 in on a 48 in table, 18 in on a 72 in, 6 in on a 96 in and nothing on a 120 in — which is where a roll earns its place.
Two numbers decide everything
- Table length — the long edge you are covering.
- Drop — how far the cloth hangs down the sides and ends.
Height is the boring part: folding and banquet tables are 30 in tall, so a 12 in drop stops 18 in above the floor, a 15 in drop stops 15 in above it, and a 30 in drop reaches the floor.
Which drop to choose
| Drop | Looks like | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 12 in | hangs just past the table edge | cookouts, kids' parties, buffet lines where people stand |
| 15 in | the banquet standard | seated dinners, weddings, anything photographed |
| 30 in | full drape to the floor | head tables and formal rooms |
What a 54 × 108 in cover does on each table
The arithmetic: cover length minus table length, divided by two, is the overhang at each end.
| Table | Top size | 54 × 108 cover hangs | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft folding | 48 × 30 in | 12 in sides, 30 in at each end | fine — tuck the ends under |
| 6 ft folding | 72 × 30 in | 12 in sides, 18 in at each end | fine — tuck or trim the ends |
| 8 ft folding | 96 × 30 in | 12 in sides, 6 in at each end | this is the size it was cut for |
| 10 ft banquet | 120 × 30 in | does not span the table | use a roll, or two covers overlapped |
The last row is where most people get caught. A 108 in cover on a 120 in table leaves nothing at the ends, and overlapping two covers puts a seam right where the plates sit. That is the case where a roll earns its place.
When a roll is the cheaper answer
A 54 in × 100 ft roll cuts into about twelve covers of 54 × 108 in, at the length you choose. Long buffet runs, 10 ft banquet tables and rooms that change layout from event to event all suit a roll better than a fixed pack size — you cut to the length the table needs and there is no seam to hide. Our 100 ft, 300 ft and 600 ft rolls use the same film and a built-in slide cutter, so cutting is one straight pull.
How many covers a party needs
One cover per table per sitting, then add twenty percent for the table you forget, the one that gets sauce on it before guests arrive, and the spare you will be glad about. Eight tables means ten covers. Two sittings, or a menu that includes ribs and a chocolate fountain, means two per table.
What we stock
84 in round and 54 × 108 in rectangular covers in 3, 6, 10 and 20 packs, twenty solid shades and nine printed designs, plus 54 in rolls in 100, 300 and 600 ft. If you are covering a hall rather than a garden table, the wholesale page is the faster route.
Still unsure which drop your room needs? The size chooser walks through it with a tape measure, or send us the table sizes and we will do the arithmetic.
Buy on Amazon
The sizes in this guide, with live prices and pack counts:
Frequently asked questions
What size tablecloth fits a 6 ft folding table?
A 54 × 108 in cover. The 108 in length leaves 18 in at each end of the 72 in top and the 54 in width gives 12 in of drop down each side of a 30 in wide table.
What about a 10 ft folding table?
A 108 in cover leaves nothing at the ends of a 120 in table, and overlapping two covers puts a seam right where the plates sit. Cut the length from a 54 in roll instead: 120 in table plus 2 × 12 in drop is a 144 in piece.
How many covers does a party need?
One per table per sitting, then add twenty percent. Eight tables means ten covers — the extra covers the table you forget and the one that gets sauce on it before guests arrive.
Should I buy a roll or packs?
Packs when every table is the same size and the count is small. A roll when the room has long buffet runs, 10 ft tables or a layout that changes between events, because you cut to the length each table needs.
Related guides: 84 Inch Round Tablecloth: Which Round Tables It Fits · How to Choose the Right Disposable Tablecloth Size.