Placemat Sizes

The common rectangular mat measures 12 by 18 inches, and the broader standard range runs from 12 to 14 inches wide and 16 to 20 inches long. Any size inside that range keeps plates, bowls and flatware from touching the tabletop, so the exact figure matters less than it seems.

Compact sets at 12 by 16 or 12 by 17 inches suit smaller tables. At the other end, an extra-long 12 by 24 inch mat only makes sense when diners are not seated shoulder to shoulder, since the added length is there to hold glasses, flatware and a napkin.

Shape changes both the dimensions and what the mat is expected to carry. Round mats usually hold only the plate, so glasses and flatware rest directly on the table around them.

A child's place setting needs less room, so kids' mats come in around 9 by 14 inches, or a little smaller at 9 by 12 inches. Two things settle the choice: the size of the children's table and the plate that will sit on it.

Measure the largest plate in regular use, then pick a mat at least 2 to 4 inches larger so bowls and side dishes do not hang off the edge. Square mats pair best with plates of about 8 to 9 inches; a bigger dinner plate looks cramped on one.

Round tables change the rule. Rectangles and squares sit awkwardly on a curved edge, so an oval or circular mat is the better fit, and its size should follow the measured width of the table.

Vinyl keeps its shape and does not shrink, unlike cotton or linen, which can lose a little size after washing. Vinyl sets are typically sold from 11 by 17 inches up to 14 by 20 inches, and several sets on the page, including the Romanstile Vinyl Placemats Set of 6 and the Lexmore Placemats Set of 4, sit at the classic 12 by 17 inch size.

For vinyl sets in these dimensions, see which vinyl placemats to buy.