How do I calculate the right linen size for a round table?
To calculate the right linen size for your round table, you need to know the diameter of the table, the height of the table, and how you want the linen to drop.
- The diameter is the distance from one end of the tabletop to the other, through the center of the table, and is measured in inches — for example, 60” Round.
- The height of a table is the distance from the floor to the top of the table. Most tables are available in several different heights, most commonly 30” high (standard height), 36” high, and 42” high. The illustration below shows the different heights and their common uses.
- The drop is the distance from the top of the table to the bottom of the linen. There are two common types of drops: Full and Puddled. Most often, the drop of the linen is equal to the height of the table to conceal the table’s legs, referred to as a full drop. This drop can be shorter or longer, depending on personal preference, the event’s specific design, or table usage. Some prefer to use longer linens for a puddled drop, which has a more billowy appearance. The illustration below shows two types of drops.
How to Calculate the Linen Size
For Round Tables, take the diameter of the table and add the drop twice:
Diameter + Drop + Drop = LINEN SIZE
For example, if you have a 60” round x 30” high table, and you want the linen to drop halfway to the floor (15” drop), your linen size would be:
60” + 15” + 15” = 90” Round
The calculation above measures the distance from one side of the table to the other (in inches) and adds the desired drop (in inches) twice. This will give you the linen size needed to have the linen hang down one side of the table (drop #1), cover the table, and hang down the other side of the table (drop #2).