Fix a wobbly table
A wobbly table is usually one of three things: an uneven floor, a leg that's a little short, or a loose joint where the legs meet the apron, the frame under the top. Most dining and kitchen tables have bolts or screws at those corners that work loose over time, and tightening them fixes many wobbles in a few minutes. If the joint itself is loose, it needs fresh glue. Leveling feet or a felt pad take care of a floor that isn't flat. Most wobbly tables just need a wrench under each corner.
How a table holds together
Most tables have an apron, a frame of boards just under the top, with a leg at each corner. The legs are held to the apron with glued joints, a bolt through a metal or wooden corner block, or both. The top is screwed to the apron from underneath.
Every time someone leans on the table or drags it, those corners get pushed sideways. Bolts loosen, glue joints crack, and screws holding the corner blocks back out. A table can also rock on a perfectly solid frame if one leg is a bit short or the floor dips, and that fix is completely different. That's why the first step is figuring out which one you have.
Why tables get wobbly
Leaning and dragging loosen them.
Old glue cracks and lets go.
They spin without holding.
The frame is fine; it just rocks.
| You notice | Likely cause | Start at |
|---|---|---|
| Stops rocking in another spot | Uneven floor | Step 5 |
| Rocks, but no joint moves | Short leg | Step 5 |
| Leg shifts when you push the top | Loose bolt or joint | Step 3 |
| Still loose after tightening | Failed glue joint | Step 4 |
Let's fix it
- Find where the wobble comes fromSet the table on a spot you know is flat, or turn it 90 degrees. If it stops rocking, the floor is the problem. If it still rocks on one corner but nothing moves, a leg is short. If you push the top sideways and a leg shifts at the corner, the joint is loose.
- Flip it onto a blanketLay a blanket or towel on the floor and turn the table upside down on it. Look at each corner where the leg meets the apron. You'll usually see a hanger bolt with a nut, a corner block with screws, or plain glued joints.
- Tighten the leg bolts and corner blocksSnug the nut on each hanger bolt with a wrench until the leg pulls tight to the apron. Tighten the screws holding each corner block. If a screw spins without biting, glue a few wooden toothpicks into the hole, trim them flush, and drive the screw again once the glue sets. Check the screws that hold the top to the apron too.
- Reglue loose jointsIf a joint still moves after tightening, take the bolt out and gently work the joint apart with a rubber mallet. Scrape off the old glue so the wood is clean, then apply fresh wood glue and tap it back together. Put the bolt back, clamp the joint or wrap a strap clamp around the apron, and let it cure for the time on the bottle before using the table.
- Level the legsTurn the table upright on a flat floor. If one corner rocks, slide paper under that leg until it stops to see how much it's off. Add a felt pad or two on the short leg, or screw in adjustable leveling feet so you can fine-tune it on your own floor. Avoid sawing the other legs down; it's easy to make it worse.
- Test it and keep it tightPush on the top from each side and lean on the corners. It should feel solid with no shift at the joints. Check the bolts again after a few weeks, especially on tables that get dragged across the floor.
Watch it done
- No rocking on the floor
- No shift at the corners
- Bolts stay snug
Still loose? A furniture repair shop can rebuild the joints.
If it's a chair
If it's a chair that wobbles, check our guide for fixing a wobbly wooden chair.
If the wood itself is split, a furniture repair shop can make a stronger fix.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A furniture repair shop typically charges $75–$250 to reglue and tighten a table, more for broken legs or antiques.
Find a carpenter near youSomething else going on?
Wobbly table questions
Why is my table wobbly?
Usually loose leg bolts or corner blocks, a failed glue joint, a short leg or an uneven floor.
How do I tighten table legs?
Flip the table and tighten the nuts on the hanger bolts and the screws in the corner blocks.
What if the screws are stripped?
Glue wooden toothpicks into the hole, trim them flush, and drive the screw again once the glue sets.
How do I fix a table that rocks on the floor?
Add a felt pad to the short leg or use adjustable leveling feet.
Why is my table leg loose?
The bolts or screws where the legs meet the apron work loose over time. Tighten them, and reglue the joint if it still moves.