Automatic machine (1) for coating panels with leather or fabrics comprising: - a base (2), provided with a fixed perimeter surround (3), containing a vertically movable supporting surface (4) for a coating material (M) and for a panel (P) to be coated; - two pairs of movable clasps (5, 6), arranged on opposing sides of the perimeter surround (3), parallel to the sides of the surface (4), adapted to determine the preliminary pulling of the coating material (M) in a transversal and longitudinal direction and then its surmounting and folding onto an upper face of the panel (P) to be coated; - means of reversibly lowering the surface (4); - a frame (7), in one piece with the base (2) and above it, carrying a hydraulic piston (8), arranged perpendicular to the surface (4), adapted to block the panel (P) to be coated on the coating material (M) subjected to pulling; - an electronic command and control unit for the moving parts.