What is the difference between an oval and oblong table cloth?

Answer 1

The basic difference between oblong and oval is the shape at the short end. i.e. An oval is rounded at the short end and straight in the middle. To draw them it can be represented as [] =oblong (rectangular) & 0 =oval

A true oval tapers to the ends, while an oblong shape has parallel sides (an oblong is an extended square or circle).

So if your intent is to put a tablecloth on a round table after adding leaves, an oblong tablecloth would be best. An oval tablecloth of the right length might not be wide enough at some points, and the problem gets worse as you add more leaves.

That said, the tablecloth sellers I looked at online all make their "oblong" tablecloths as rectangles, not elongated circles. If you want an elongated circle, to provide even overhangs on a circle with leaves, use a custom tablecloth site.

Here is a table linens size chart that may be of some help.

http://www.TableclothsForLess.com/tablecloth-sizes.html