Table Linen Size
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Linen size needs to account for the table's own dimensions plus the desired drop length — the distance the fabric hangs down from the tabletop edge — so the correct linen size is always larger than the bare table dimensions, not equal to them.

Drop length is how far the tablecloth hangs past the table edge, and it determines the look: a short drop (around 6-15 inches) leaves table legs visible for a casual look, a mid drop reaches near seat height, and a full 'floor-length' drop (typically to about 29-30 inches) touches or nearly touches the floor for a formal look.

Yes — the math is different because a round tablecloth's diameter must account for the drop on all sides equally (table diameter plus twice the drop), while a rectangular cloth needs separate length and width calculations, each adding twice the drop to the table's own length and width.

The most common cause is forgetting to double the drop length — a 12-inch drop needs to be added to both sides of the table's dimension (24 inches total added to the width, and again to the length), not just added once. Always double-check that both sides of the drop are accounted for.

If a separate table skirt is being used to cover the legs, you can often choose a shorter drop for the top linen since the skirt handles the floor-length coverage, whereas without a skirt, a full-length linen alone needs to reach the floor for the same finished look.