How to Choose a Pool Table Cover: Sizes, Materials & Fit
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A pool table is one of the most expensive things in most game rooms, yet the cloth on top of it is surprisingly fragile. Dust settles into the nap, sunlight fades the felt, a stray drink leaves a ring, and a curious pet or a set of car keys can snag a thread in seconds. A good cover is the cheapest insurance you can buy for that investment — but "cheap" doesn't mean "any cover will do." This guide walks through how to pick the right size, the right material, and the right style for how you actually use your table.
Quick answer: Match the cover to your table size (7, 8 or 9 foot), measured across the outside of the rails — not the playing surface. For everyday home protection, a heavy-duty waterproof vinyl or leatherette cover is the best all-round choice: it blocks dust, spills, sunlight and pet damage, wipes clean, and lasts for years. Choose a fitted cover if you want a snug, furniture-like look that stays put, or a drape cover if you want a looser fit that's easy to throw on and off.
Why bother covering your pool table?
Pool cloth is a wool or wool-blend fabric, and everything in a normal room is working against it. The most common forms of damage a cover prevents are:
- Dust and grit. Airborne dust settles into the nap between games. Over time it makes the cloth play slower and grinds against the fibres every time a ball rolls.
- Spills and stains. A single knocked-over drink can leave a permanent mark on unprotected cloth. A waterproof cover turns a disaster into a wipe-up.
- Sunlight. UV light fades cloth unevenly, so the areas near a window end up a different shade. Covers block that fading.
- Pets and kids. Claws, hair, sticky fingers and dropped toys all find their way onto an open table. A cover keeps them off the playing surface.
- Ash, food and accidental burns during parties, when the table often doubles as a buffet or card surface.
Step 1: Get the size right
This is where most people go wrong. A "7-foot," "8-foot" or "9-foot" table refers to the playing surface — the felt inside the rails on the long side. But a cover has to drape over the rails and grip underneath them, so covers are sold by table size while their actual dimensions are larger than the playing area.
To identify your table size, measure the playing surface rail-to-rail along the long side: roughly 39" is a 7-foot table, 44" is an 8-foot, and 50" is a 9-foot. Then buy the cover labelled for that size. As a reference, a typical 8-foot cover measures about 100" long by 56" wide to allow for the overhang.
| Table size | Playing surface (long rail) | Approx. cover footprint |
|---|---|---|
| 7 foot | ~39" | ~92" x 52" |
| 8 foot | ~44" | ~100" x 56" |
| 9 foot | ~50" | ~112" x 62" |
Watch out for wide rails. Standard rails run about 4–5 inches, but some premium and older tables have rails 6–8 inches wide. If your table has unusually wide rails, or a bulky frame and legs, order one size up so the cover clears the corners and hangs properly.
Step 2: Choose the material
Cover materials trade off protection, weight and price. Here's how the common options compare.
| Material | Protection | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Leatherette / heavy-duty vinyl (PVC) | Fully waterproof, dustproof, tear- and abrasion-resistant; wipes clean; resists fading | Everyday home use, pets and kids, the best all-round protection |
| Standard vinyl | Waterproof and tear-resistant, lighter and cheaper, thinner feel | Budget-conscious buyers who mainly want dust and spill protection |
| Polyester / fabric | Water-resistant (not fully waterproof), soft, fast-drying, breathable | Low-dust rooms where look and softness matter more than spill-proofing |
For most game rooms, a heavy-duty waterproof vinyl with a leatherette finish is the sweet spot. It gives you a clean, furniture-grade look on top, full waterproofing against spills, and a surface you can wipe down in seconds. Fabric covers look and feel nicer but won't stop a real spill, so they suit low-traffic rooms rather than busy family spaces.
Step 3: Fitted vs. drape
There are two basic styles, and the right one depends on how often you cover and uncover the table.
Fitted covers are shaped to the table with elasticized edges that hook under the rails. They give a snug, tailored look, stay put in a breeze or against a brushing pet, and don't slide off. The trade-off: they're sized tightly, so getting the table dimensions right matters more.
Drape covers simply lay over the top and hang down the sides. They're more forgiving of size and rail-width variation, and faster to throw on and pull off between games — but they can shift or get knocked askew. If you cover the table daily and value speed, a drape works well; if the cover stays on for long stretches and you want it to look sharp, go fitted.
Step 4: Features worth checking
- Genuinely waterproof seams. A waterproof material still leaks if the seams aren't sealed or double-stitched. Look for reinforced, double-stitched edges.
- Weight / thickness. Heavier vinyl resists tears, punctures and sagging. Thin, flimsy covers tear at the corners first.
- A snug but not strained fit. The cover should reach a few inches below the rails without stretching so tight it pulls at the seams.
- Colour that suits the room. Black is the safe default; burgundy, brown and green covers blend with wood-toned or classic tables.
- Easy cleaning. Vinyl and leatherette wipe down with a damp cloth — no laundering required.
Caring for your cover (and your cloth)
Let spills or condensation dry before folding the cover away, so you don't trap moisture against the cloth. Wipe a vinyl or leatherette cover with a damp cloth and mild soap when it gets dusty, and let it air-dry fully before storing. Avoid dragging the cover across the slate corners, which is where thin covers wear through first. Stored and used sensibly, a good heavy-duty cover easily outlasts several re-felts.
Frequently asked questions
What size pool table cover do I need?
Match the cover to your table size. Measure the playing surface along the long rail — about 39" means a 7-foot table, 44" an 8-foot, and 50" a 9-foot — then buy the cover labelled for that size. The cover's actual footprint is larger than the playing area to allow it to drape over the rails.
Is a vinyl or a fabric pool table cover better?
For real protection, heavy-duty vinyl or leatherette wins: it's fully waterproof, dustproof and wipes clean. Fabric (polyester) covers are softer and breathable but only water-resistant, so they won't stop a knocked-over drink. Choose vinyl/leatherette for homes with kids, pets or frequent gatherings.
Do I measure the playing surface or the whole table?
Use the playing surface (rail-to-rail on the long side) only to identify your table's size. The cover itself is sized to fit over the outside of the rails, so once you know whether you have a 7, 8 or 9-foot table, you order that size — you don't need to add the overhang yourself.
Should I get a fitted or a drape cover?
Fitted covers grip under the rails for a snug, tidy look that stays in place — best if the cover stays on for a while. Drape covers lay over the top and are quicker to remove — best if you cover and uncover the table daily and don't mind a looser fit.
Will a cover protect the felt from sunlight fading?
Yes. An opaque vinyl or leatherette cover blocks the UV light that causes uneven fading, which is especially useful if your table sits near a window. It also keeps dust out of the nap, so the cloth plays truer for longer.
The bottom line
Pick the cover that matches your table size, lean toward a heavy-duty waterproof vinyl or leatherette for genuine spill and dust protection, and choose fitted or drape based on how often you'll use it. It's a small purchase that meaningfully extends the life of a much larger one. Browse the Aska Billiards table cover collection to find waterproof covers in 7, 8 and 9-foot sizes and a range of colours.