Placemat Sizes for Rectangular and Round Tables
Placemats look simple, but the right size depends on your plates, your table's width and, on a round table, how many people sit at it. These are the standard sizes and the arithmetic that tells you which one fits.
A standard rectangular placemat is 12 × 18 in (30 × 46 cm), sized for a 10- to 11-inch dinner plate with cutlery on both sides. Larger mats are 13 × 19 in or 14 × 20 in for chargers, and round placemats are usually 15 in (38 cm) across. Each place needs about 24 in (61 cm) of table edge.
- Standard
- 12 × 18 in (30 × 46 cm)
- Large
- 14 × 20 in (36 × 51 cm)
- Round
- 15 in (38 cm)
- Space per diner
- 24 in (61 cm)
On this page
Standard placemat sizes
| Shape | Inches | Centimeters | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small rectangle | 11 × 17 or 12 × 16 | 28 × 43 or 30 × 41 | Narrow tables, children, breakfast trays |
| Standard rectangle | 12 × 18 | 30 × 46 | Everyday dining with 10-11 in plates |
| Large rectangle | 13 × 19 | 33 × 48 | Wider plates, more room for glasses |
| Extra large rectangle | 14 × 20 | 36 × 51 | Charger plates, formal settings |
| Oval | 13 × 19 | 33 × 48 | Softer look; fits round tables better than rectangles |
| Round | 15 diameter | 38 diameter | Round tables, chargers, compact settings |
| Paper (restaurant) | 10 × 14 | 25 × 36 | Diners, events, disposable use |
Choosing the size from your plates
A placemat should hold the plate, the forks and knife, and ideally the bread plate or glass at the top edge. Measure your dinner plate first:
| Plate | On 12 × 18 in | On 14 × 20 in |
|---|---|---|
| 10 in (25 cm) dinner plate | 4 in each side for cutlery: comfortable | 5 in each side: generous |
| 11 in (28 cm) dinner plate | 3.5 in each side: fits | 4.5 in each side |
| 12 in (30 cm) plate or bowl | 3 in each side: tight, forks overhang | 4 in each side |
| 13 in (33 cm) charger | 2.5 in each side, and the 13 in charger overhangs the 12 in depth | 3.5 in each side: fits |
Dinner plates have grown over the past few decades, and many current sets are 11 in or more. If yours are, a 13 × 19 or 14 × 20 in mat avoids cutlery hanging off the edge. A round 15-inch mat leaves only about 2 in around an 11-inch plate, so it frames the plate rather than holding the cutlery.
How many placemats fit on a rectangular table
Allow 24 in (61 cm) of table length per person; 30 in (76 cm) is more comfortable and suits armchairs. With 18-inch mats at 24-inch spacing, there are 6 in between neighbors.
| Table length | Per long side at 24 in | At 30 in | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 in (122 cm) | 2 | 1 | Possible on 36 in wide tables |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 2 | 2 | 1 at each end |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 3 | 2 | 1 at each end |
| 84 in (213 cm) | 3 | 2 | 1 at each end |
| 96 in (244 cm) | 4 | 3 | 1 at each end |
Place mats flush with the table edge or up to 1 in (2.5 cm) in from it, and keep the same inset all round. Across the table, two 12-inch mats on a 36-inch table leave 12 in in the middle, exactly the width of a standard table runner. On a 42-inch table the gap grows to 18 in, enough for serving platters. See the dining table dimensions guide for standard widths and seating counts.
On a 30-inch (76 cm) wide table, two 12-inch mats leave just 6 in between them. Use 11-inch-deep mats or a single row, and put serving dishes on a sideboard.
Placemats for round tables
Rectangles fight a circle: the inner corners of neighboring mats converge toward the center. Whether they fit depends on the table diameter and the number of diners. The table below assumes mats set 1 in in from the edge.
| Table | Diners | Edge per person | 12 × 18 in rectangles | 15 in rounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 in (91 cm) | 4 | 28 in | Overlap | Overlap; 13 in rounds fit |
| 42 in (107 cm) | 4 | 33 in | Overlap at corners | Fit, 2.7 in gaps |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 4 | 38 in | Fit | Fit, 7 in gaps |
| 48 in (122 cm) | 6 | 25 in | Overlap | Just fit (0.5 in gaps) |
| 54 in (137 cm) | 6 | 28 in | Overlap | Fit, 3.5 in gaps |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 6 | 31 in | Fit | Fit, 6.5 in gaps |
| 60 in (152 cm) | 8 | 24 in | Overlap | Fit, 1.5 in gaps |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 8 | 28 in | Fit | Fit, 6 in gaps |
| 72 in (183 cm) | 10 | 23 in | Overlap | Fit, 2 in gaps |
On a round table the outer corners of a rectangular mat also sit slightly beyond the curved edge. Round 15-inch (38 cm) mats or tapered wedge-shaped mats solve both problems, which is why event planners use rounds or chargers on banquet rounds. For a 60-inch round seating 8, either 15-inch rounds or chargers of 13 in work well.
Materials and practical details
- Woven and fabric mats can shrink a few percent when washed, so if your plates are a tight fit, choose the next size up or pre-washed mats.
- Vinyl and wipe-clean mats keep their size and suit children's places. Children's placemats are usually 11 × 17 in, the size of a tabloid sheet, which also makes printing your own easy.
- Cork-backed hardboard mats, common in the UK, are often smaller than fabric mats. Check that the plate fits before buying a set.
- Layering: a placemat on top of a tablecloth or across a runner is fine, but keep the mat fully on the table, not half on the runner, so plates sit level.
Coordinate the set with napkins: a 20-inch cloth napkin folded into a 5- to 6-inch-wide rectangle fits on the left of a standard mat beside the forks.
Frequently asked questions
How wide is a placemat?
A standard placemat is 18 in (46 cm) wide and 12 in (30 cm) deep. Wider versions measure 19 or 20 in across, and compact ones 16 or 17 in.
What size placemats for a round table for 8?
Use round placemats about 15 in (38 cm) across, or tapered wedge mats. Eight 12 × 18 in rectangles overlap at their inner corners on a 60-inch table; they only fit on a round table of about 72 in or more.
What size should placemats be for a dining table?
On a typical table 36 to 40 in wide, standard 12 × 18 in mats on both sides leave 12 to 16 in down the middle for a runner and serving dishes. On a narrow 30-inch table, use 11- or 12-inch-deep mats and skip the runner.
What size is a small placemat?
Small placemats are about 11 × 17 in or 12 × 16 in. Paper placemats used in restaurants are usually 10 × 14 in, and children's placemats are typically 11 × 17 in.
What is a standard placemat size in cm?
In Europe the usual size is 30 × 45 cm, essentially the same as the US 12 × 18 in (30.5 × 45.7 cm). Round placemats are typically 38 cm, and larger rectangles 35 × 50 cm.