Table Linen Size Guide

Choosing table linen is mostly a question of measurements. This guide gives you the exact sizes we make — napkins, tablecloths and table runners — along with how each size is used, how to work out the right tablecloth for your table, and how to care for hand block printed cotton and linen so it lasts for years.

Napkin sizes and what each one is for

All Rohiyaan napkins are square, cut and hemmed by hand, and measured flat and unfolded. Small variations of about half an inch are normal in handmade cotton and linen.

Why sizes are listed in both inches and centimetres

Our napkins are woven, printed and finished in India, where cloth is cut in centimetres. We list inches first for customers in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, with the metric equivalent alongside so nothing is lost in conversion.

How to use and fold a napkin

A cloth napkin does three jobs at a table: it protects your lap, it keeps hands and mouth clean between courses, and it finishes the look of the place setting. Here is the simple version of how it is used.

1. Before the meal: the napkin sits folded on the plate, to the left of the forks, or tucked into a napkin ring.
2. As you sit down: unfold it once so it is a rectangle and place it across your lap, folded edge towards you. A dinner napkin is not opened out fully.
3. During the meal: blot rather than wipe, and use the inside surface so marks stay hidden.
4. If you leave the table: place it loosely on your chair seat, not on the table.
5. At the end: lay it loosely to the left of the plate. It is never refolded neatly.

Three easy napkin folds

• The simple rectangle — fold in half, then in half again. Place under the fork. Works for every size and every table.
• The napkin ring roll — fold into a long strip, roll loosely, and slide a ring or a length of twine over it. Best with 18 in and 20 in napkins.
• The pocket fold — fold into quarters, then fold the top layer back to make a pocket for cutlery or a sprig of eucalyptus. A block print pattern shows beautifully in this fold.

Hand block printed napkins look best when the fold leaves a printed border or motif visible rather than hiding it inside the fold.

Tablecloth size guide

A tablecloth is chosen by drop — how far the cloth hangs below the table edge. Casual dining uses a 6 to 10 inch drop. Formal dining uses 10 to 15 inches. Floor length is 29 to 30 inches.

The formula: table length + (2 × drop) = cloth length. Table width + (2 × drop) = cloth width. So a 60 × 36 in table with a 10 in drop needs a cloth of roughly 80 × 56 in.

Table runner sizes

Our handwoven Bhujodi table runners measure 18 × 92 in. A runner should be narrow enough to leave room for plates and long enough to overhang both ends, or to stop short of them by an equal amount.

• Width: roughly one third of the table width. On a 36 in wide table, 12–18 in is right.
• Length, with overhang: table length + 12 in, so the runner drops 6 in at each end.
• Length, inset: table length − 12 in, so bare wood shows at both ends. This suits a table you like the look of.
• Across a wide table: lay short runners crosswise as place settings, one per chair.

A runner can sit directly on the table, or over a plain tablecloth to add pattern without covering it entirely.

Placemat sizes

Standard placemats are 12 × 18 in rectangular or 15 in round. Allow at least 24 in of table width per person so place settings do not crowd each other, and leave 1–2 in between the placemat and the table edge.

How many napkins do you need?

Our napkins are sold in sets of 2, 4 and 8 pieces, so you can build up a set in the same print or mix two prints across one table.

Care and washing

• Wash cold or warm, up to 30 °C / 86 °F, on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent.
• Wash new block print separately for the first two or three washes. Natural and vegetable dyes may release a little colour at first, which settles.
• No bleach and no fabric softener. Bleach lifts the dye; softener coats the fibres and reduces absorbency.
• Line dry in shade. Direct sun over long periods fades hand block prints.
• Iron while slightly damp, medium heat, on the reverse of the print.
• Treat stains early with cold water and a little mild soap. Hot water sets protein and wine stains.
• Store folded and dry in a cupboard, not sealed in plastic. Cotton and linen need to breathe.

Expect a soft, gentle fade over years of use. That patina is characteristic of hand block printed cloth, not a fault.

Table linen FAQs

Still unsure about a size? Send us your table measurements at rohit@rohiyaan.com or through our contact page and we will recommend the right cloth. We also make custom sizes for trade and hospitality customers.