Sizing guide

Which cloth fits which table?

The drop is arithmetic, not a guess. Here is every size we hire, against every table it is likely to go on.

How to read a drop

The drop is how far the cloth hangs down from the table edge. It is a sum, not a guess:

( cloth width − table width ) ÷ 2 = drop

A banqueting table is 30″ high, so a 30″ drop reaches the floor. Around 15–18″ is lap length and sits just above a seated guest’s knees. Anything past 30″ pools on the floor, which looks untidy and trips waiting staff.

Round tables

ClothTableDropLooks like
108″ round6ft / 72″ round18″Lap length — clears the chair seats, shows the table legs
118″ round5ft / 60″ round29″Effectively floor length on a 30″ high table
118″ round6ft / 72″ round23″Below the seat, above the floor
128″ round6ft / 72″ round28″Floor length — the formal look
128″ round5ft / 60″ round34″Pools on the floor; usually too much

Trestles and rectangles

ClothTableOverhangLooks like
70″ x 108″6ft trestle (72″ x 30″)20″ sides, 18″ endsThe standard buffet and bar cloth
70″ x 144″6ft trestle (72″ x 30″)20″ sides, 36″ endsFloor length at the ends — for a top table or a dressed buffet front
70″ x 70″Small square or 30″ round20″ all roundPoseur and cake tables
90″ x 90″5ft / 60″ round15″A square laid over a round, corners hanging

Choosing between lap and floor

  • Floor length for the top table, lap length for the rest. It costs less, it is the normal convention, and guests never notice the difference on a table they are sat at.
  • Floor length everywhere for a formal dinner or where the tables are hired and you would rather not see them.
  • Buffet and bar tables should always reach the floor at the front — that is where the boxes, bins and spare stock live.
  • Napkins are white, 20″ x 20″, pressed and counted. All our linen is white.
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