Table Runner Size Calculator and Chart

How long should a table runner be?

Most guides suggest a drop of 6 to 12 in at each end, so add 12 to 24 in to your table length. A 60 in table takes a runner of 72 to 84 in. Shorter drops look neat and casual, and they stay out of laps. Longer drops of 10 to 12 in feel more formal and suit holiday tables. Measure the table itself, rather than going by a store label, since leaves and rounded corners can change the length.

Your runner can also stop short of the edges. A runner that sits entirely on the table, leaving a few inches of bare wood at each end, is a popular modern look, and it suits small tables or anything with a lot of use. To plan one, enter a drop of 0 and then subtract the amount you want to leave uncovered. There is no strict rule here, so hold up a length of fabric and see how it looks in your room.

How wide should a table runner be?

The usual guide is about one third of the table width, and the calculator rounds that to the nearest half inch. A 36 in wide table takes a 12 in runner, which leaves room for place settings on both sides. A typical runner ranges from about 12 to 18 in, and pattern sizes tend to stick within that range.

Treat the rule as a starting point. On a narrow table, a one-third runner can leave little room for plates, so try going narrower. On a large table, you could use a wider runner, or lay shorter runners across the table instead, one per pair of facing place settings. These also work as a substitute for placemats. Whichever layout you choose, set the table with your actual plates and glasses before you cut.

Table runners for round and square tables

A runner on a round table is usually laid straight across the center, and it hangs over the edges. Use the diameter as the length, plus a drop on each side. A 48 in round table with a drop of 8 in takes a runner of about 64 in. A round table has less room than you think, so check where the plates will sit, since the runner crosses two of the place settings.

A very popular option on a round or square table is to use two runners in a cross. Make two the same size and lay one over the other at a right angle. This gives each side of the table a runner and leaves a neat square in the center for a bowl or candles. If you are making two, double the fabric that the calculator gives you. On a small table, a round table topper may look better than a runner.

Cutting and fabric

A simple runner has a top and a backing, sewn right sides together with a 1/2 in seam and turned out through a gap. So you cut both pieces 1 in larger than the finished size. The tool adds this for you. If your runner is shorter than the fabric width, cut it across the bolt, which uses very little fabric. If it is longer, either cut along the length of the fabric, or join pieces to avoid buying more than you need.

A quilted runner has batting between the layers and a binding around the edge, in the same way as a small quilt. Cut your top to the finished size plus seams, and cut the backing and batting a few inches larger. It takes more steps, but it gives a beautiful, stable finish, protects the table, and helps the runner lie flat. To work out how much binding you will need, use the quilt binding calculator, and type in your runner’s size as if it were a quilt.

Choosing fabric for a table runner

A runner is a good way to try a bold print or use up leftovers, since you need so little fabric. Medium-weight cottons work well, and home decor fabrics give more body. Think about how often the runner will be washed, and prewash your fabric if you plan to wash the runner later. For a table that gets daily use, a darker print or a busy pattern hides small marks better than a pale solid.

Seasonal runners are a favorite for good reason. It takes only a little fabric to make one for fall, Halloween, Christmas or the Fourth of July, and they are easy to swap as the year goes on. They also make good gifts, since the sizes are so forgiving. If you are making one for someone else, ask them for their table size, or choose a shorter runner that fits most tables. Our Halloween table runner ideas are a good place to start.

Common table runner mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is measuring the table without checking for leaves. An extending table needs a different runner from one that stays at its shorter length, and you may want one for each. Choose the size you use most often, or make a longer one with a generous drop when the table is small. It is also easy to forget about the chairs. A long drop can catch on the backs of chairs at the head and foot of the table, and this is especially true of chairs with arms, so check the room around your table.

Fabric weight is another trap. A runner in thin cotton with no batting or interfacing can wrinkle and slide, so give it some body with a backing, or a light layer of batting, or fusible fleece. Directional prints deserve a check as well. A print that runs one way will read correctly from only one side of the table, so non-directional prints are often a better choice. Finally, press and square your pieces with care. On a long, narrow piece of fabric, even a tiny error in the angle of the ends stands out, since the eye follows the long straight edge.