Here’s our guide to picnic table dimensions including different tablecloth measurements and a variety of picnic table sizes. There are many picnic tables available in all shapes and sizes. Some are for kids, some for six-seaters, and some big enough to seat the whole family.
In this article, we talk all about picnic tables and their dimensions to guide you on your quest to find the one for your backyard.
Table of Contents
Standard Picnic Table Dimensions
Picnics are designed in an array of specifications, but there’s always one recognized standard.
The standard picnic table dimensions usually have a height from the ground of about 28 to 34 inches, with most manufactured ones standing at 30 inches.
A classic rectangular picnic table usually has a width range from 28 to 30 inches and 6 or 8 feet long.
How Tall is a Picnic Table?
How tall a picnic table varies from one table to another, but the usual picnic table seen on parks and picnic grounds usually has a height, from the ground up of about 28 to 32 inches. The benches on the table have an average elevation of about 17 to 18 inches from the ground.
This dimension allows more than enough room for an average adult to go in and out of the table.
How Long is a Standard Picnic Table?
Again, how a picnic table spans on the tabletop varies from one manufacturer to another. Still, the usual picnic table seen on parks and picnic grounds has a tabletop length of about six feet. This dimension allows 24 to 30 inches of seat perimeter for each person.
What is the Length of a Picnic Table Leg?
A standard picnic table leg has two measures. First, we measure the length of a table leg from the ground to the tabletop, and frequently picnic table leg from this side is 30 inches. Second, we calculate a table leg length from the floor to the benches, and the standard measurement for this side is 17 inches.
6 ft Picnic Table Dimensions
Six-foot picnic tables are the type of picnic tables you regularly see on picnic grounds, beaches, and parks. This size of picnic tables could seat zero to eight persons.
Rectangular six-foot tables have dimensions of 6 feet in length and have a typical 30 inches in height. They have a median elevation, from the bench to the ground, of about 17 inches.
8 ft Picnic Table Dimensions
Eight-foot picnic tables are quintessential for large families and groups. This type of picnic table could seat up to eight people comfortably (it could seat up to twelve if a person were to sit on each end).
Rectangular eight-foot tables have a dimension of about 8 feet in length, and like its six-foot table counterpart, eight-foot picnic tables are 30 inches in height. They also have a median elevation, from the bench down to the ground of about 17 inches.
According to rules and regulations, a commercial ADA picnic table should generally have one seat taken out or one side of their benches shorter to guarantee wheelchair users can freely approach the picnic table and fit comfortably. But ADA picnic table regulations can vary from state to state.
Thus, researching these rules is essential before purchase or construction.
Generally, here are the dimensions needed on most of them. The surface table height should be about 28-34 inches above the ground. It should have a knee clearance of about 27 inches in minimum.
There is a clear floor area of 30-40 inches at each seating space and an accessible route for the wheelchair to get to the seat. At least 19 inches from the table inward is needed for the leg and knee to extend comfortably.
There should be a 36 inches wide floor space around the picnic table’s perimeter for the seat to be accessible by the wheelchair. If a wall is present on the ground, 36 inches of wheelchair-accessible space should be provided.
On locations where tables are immovable from the wall or the floor, 5% of the tables should be ADA regulation compliant.
What size of picnic tablecloth do you need for a standard picnic table? The tablecloth for a picnic table varies according to the size of your picnic table.
If you have the square 54-inch all-over table, then essentially, you need a picnic tablecloth that is at least 60 inches or even longer.
A regular rectangular six-foot picnic table should have a tablecloth of about 80 inches in length to fit a 72 inches picnic table length. The width of the tablecloth should at least be 35 inches long to cover the 29 to 30 inches width of the picnic table.
Options round tables include covering a standard round table with a circumference of 54 inches to 60 inches all around tablecloth.
There are many tablecloths to choose from, but vinyl, pleather, and plastic can work best on picnic tables because of their weatherproof properties.
You'll generally find that a 6 foot long rectangular picnic table is pretty “standard”. This allows users to get enough room for studying (picnic tables on a University campus for instance), eating (in a food service or park setting), or playing a board game (picnic tables placed in a relaxed community park, perhaps).
The length of a picnic table for six adults is about six feet. This allows each adult 24 inches of personal space. Picnic tables designed for eight adults are typically eight feet long.
Softwood species like Cedar, Redwood and Douglas fir are all good options that are both weather-resistant and available at most lumber yards. These are the best woods for picnic tables because they are lightweight and extremely tough.
A wooded picnic table rarely last 10 years without needing replacement slats, which might be required yearly to eliminate bleed sap. Recycled plastic picnic tables typically last 15 years or more with no maintenance except slight cleaning.
Building a picnic table is an easy task that makes the perfect weekend project without breaking the bank. Start by constructing the table and bench tops, followed by the leg systems. The half-lap joints on the legs are easy to create and add a touch of charm.
So, yes, pressure treated wood is safe to use for your outdoor furniture, including picnic tables and chairs, benches, and so forth. We recommend using ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) treated wood as it's been found to be the safest.
If you're struggling to find the perfect dining table or end table for your deck or patio, why not build it yourself? Outdoor furniture is easy to make with cedar or pressure treated lumber that won't fall apart in the rain or snow. You even can give your table a bright pop of color with a few coats of exterior paint!
Square tables in general are available as small as 30 inches (for 2 people) up to 64 inches. Rectangle tables can be as small as 40 inches in length up to 102 inches. Oval tables are typically a minimum of 60 inches in length up to 84 inches.
An average outdoor dining table has a standard height of 28 to 30 inches. The height of the table is not dependent on the size of the table top, so this standard height applies to any size dining table, from a large 14-person table to a small bistro table.
3/4 inch: This thickness is a good option for outdoor tables that will be used regularly but not heavily. It is suitable for moderate weather conditions and offers a good balance of durability and aesthetic appeal. 1 inch: This is a popular thickness for outdoor tables made of wood.
As a result, ADA compliant picnic tables must be 34 inches at most in height from the ground up, and a minimum height of 28 inches. This is because the knee clearance to allow for someone in a wheelchair to fit underneath the table is 27 inches from the floor to the bottom of the actual table.
Chairs always need more space than bench seating. If you want to use as little space as possible, then you want to go with benches for most arrangements. A 5 ft picnic table with attached benches easily sits 6 large adults (see second photo below).
A 90" x 132" linen will fit to the floor on this 6' x 30" rectangle table and a 60" x 120" linen will fall lap length. You can seat 6 to 8 guests at this size table.
Allow room for 3' of clearance on each side of the table. That's the amount of space you need to pull out chairs from the table, or to walk behind people seated at the table. Take other furniture into account. So if you have a buffet or bar cart against the wall, measure 3' out from that piece of furniture.
The ideal distance between the tables is 30 inches. This distance is necessary for ensuring easy movement. Guests cannot sit on closed chairs and they have to pull out the chairs to accommodate. Having tables at distance will make it easier for the guests to sit comfortably.
Table top overhangs of 2 to 4 inches are quite standard, and give a proportional look to the table. However, some people prefer the look of a shorter overhang. There is no right or wrong in most cases–just make sure you are comfortable with the overhang amount that you choose.
Insects and mold are less likely to make their home on a painted surface. However, paint will eventually deteriorate, so another layer of protection is necessary for outdoor use. An exterior-grade, oil-based polyurethane is ESSENTIAL.
An epoxy sealer with exterior varnish topcoats is the most durable, but also the most labor-intensive finish you can apply to outdoor furniture. This is the finish favored by boat builders so you know it's going to last a long time.
Pine is still a good choice for outdoor furniture, it just doesn't naturally resist the elements as strongly as cedar does. Pressure-treated pine will last a long time and resist the outdoor elements.
Stain it! Not only does stain update the look of your picnic table, but it extends its life, giving you more years of enjoyment around it. Staining a picnic table doesn't take professional skill or a large budget - it's a simple project you can do yourself.
The best cut for outdoor use is quarter sawn. This cut minimizes the warping, twisting, expanding, and contracting. When wood is plain sawn, (literally sliced vertically down) changes in humidity make the warping and twisting run horizontally, meaning the width of the table shifts.
Apply an even coat of water-based wood sealant to the entire table with a paintbrush. A water-repellent wood preservative is typically best, as it can protect against sun damage, mildew and termites, depending on the brand you purchase.
Protect All Outdoor Furniture with a Waterproof Cover
No matter how you prepare your furniture for winter, the best thing you can do to keep it safe from the cold and snow is to keep it covered. Many manufacturers make covers specifically to fit each piece of furniture.
Begin by cleaning your picnic table with soapy water to remove dirt and grime. Sand the table to make sure the surface is splinter-free and then rinse after sanding. Allow the surface to dry before painting.
Provide about 24" of leg room below the table (height from floor to bottom of table rail) and at least 12" for knee clearance (projection of table top beyond table leg). In figuring seating capacity, allow at least 24" of elbow room width per person and 12" to 15" depth from the edge of the table.
For dining tables, position your legs 16-20” from the end of the table to allow for seating someone on the end. Mark all of your mounting holes with the legs in place. Remove legs and drill holes for threaded inserts. Install threaded inserts with a dab of glue for lubrication.
Any location where pets and kids spend time regularly should be built with non-treated wood. This includes play sets, decks, raised beds in gardens, and more. Using a naturally rot-resistant wood, like cedar is a better compromise that is potentially putting your loved ones at risk for serious health problems.
Tempered glass. Tempered glass is very tough and an ideal material for outdoor dining table surfaces and coffee tables. It is very resistant to both UV and high temperatures, won't fade or crack over time and is very easy to clean.
With all these things in mind, you can rest assured that the number one reason your patio furniture is expensive is that it's made with a long-lasting, weather-resistant material.
“While ideally you would choose furniture made of naturally water-resistant materials like cedar, teak, or cypress woods, any wood furniture can be treated with an outdoor sealant,” says Morgan McBride, founder of DIY home improvement website CharlestonCrafted.com.
What size tablecloth should you get for a picnic table? Picnic tables range from 6 to 8 feet in length and 27 to 30 inches in width. Tablecloths for picnic tables are at least 84 inches long for 6-foot-long tables and at least 104 inches long for 8-foot-long tables, and 54 inches wide.
We recommend an overhang of 20 cm at each side of your table so remember to add at least 40cm to the width and length of your table to allow for the overhang – you want your tablecloth to drape over the edges of your table for a nice, neat finish.
For a casual table setting, take your table measurements and add 12 inches to each side to get your minimum tablecloth size, then add 20 inches to get your maximum tablecloth size. Choose a tablecloth that falls between these two measurements. For a formal table setting, take your table measurements and add 60 inches.
6 Ft Table – What Size Promotional Table Cover To Use And What Options Are There? Don't let anyone tell you there is no “standard” size 6 foot trade show table. It is 30” wide x 72” length x 29” in height.
The most common rectangular tables used in weddings and special events and the recommended table linen sizes are as follows: 6 ft or 72 inch rectangular tables - 90 inch x 132 inch rectangle tablecloths or 6 ft rectangular spandex table covers.
Most standard 6-foot event tables have the same dimensions: they are 72" wide x 30" tall x 30" deep. This universal measurement is a great benefit to you! You can invest in custom tablecloths and use them for almost any 6-foot table from this day forward.
Treated wood is used for decks, mailbox and light posts, swing sets and playscapes, picnic tables, landscape ties, underwater dock pilings, oceanside boardwalks, telephone utility poles and, believe it or not, residential building foundations in some parts of the country!
Many wood makers view polyurethane as one of the best finishes for any picnic table because it offers greater protection to the wood and does not emit harmful vapors.
Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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