How the dining table size calculator works
There are two tabs:
- Table for my room: enter the room size, the shape of table you like, how many people you want to seat, and how much space you want around the table. You get the table size to look for, the largest table that fits, and the size of rug to put under it.
- Room for my table: you already have a table, or have found one you like. Enter its size, and you see how many people it seats and how big the room needs to be.
The picture shows the table, the chairs and the room from above, so you can see the space.
How much space do you need around a dining table?
The distance from the edge of the table to the nearest wall or piece of furniture decides how comfortable the room is.
| Space around the table | What it allows |
|---|---|
| 36 in (91 cm) | The minimum. You can pull a chair out and sit down, but no one can walk behind a seated person. |
| 42 in (107 cm) | Comfortable. You can squeeze behind a seated person. |
| 48 in (122 cm) | Roomy. People can walk behind chairs with ease, and you can get to a buffet. |
Measure the clearance on the sides where people will walk. A side against a wall, with no door or walkway, can use the 36 in minimum.
How many people does a table seat?
Allow about 24 in (60 cm) of table edge for each person, so that elbows do not touch. Squeezed in, about 20 in (50 cm) works for a short meal.
| Rectangular table | Seats comfortably | Seats squeezed |
|---|---|---|
| 48 × 36 in | 4 | 4 |
| 60 × 36 in | 4 | 6 |
| 72 × 36 in | 6 | 8 |
| 84 × 38 in | 6 | 8 |
| 96 × 40 in | 8 | 10 |
| 120 × 40 in | 10 | 12 |
| Round table | Seats comfortably |
|---|---|
| 36 in | 4 |
| 42 in | 5 |
| 48 in | 6 |
| 60 in | 7 |
| 72 in | 9 |
The best table width
A rectangular table 36 to 40 in wide is a good size. Narrower than 30 in leaves no room for plates and dishes in the middle. Wider than 48 in makes it hard to reach across or pass dishes.
Round, rectangular or oval?
- Round: good for a square room, and for conversation, because everyone sees everyone. It takes more room per person, and it does not extend.
- Rectangular: the best choice for a long room, for more people, and for tables with leaves.
- Oval: a softer shape that is easier to walk around, and it suits a narrower room. It has fewer seats at the ends than a rectangle.
The rug and the light
- Rug: make it at least 24 in (60 cm) bigger than the table on every side, so the chair legs stay on the rug when pulled out. The calculator adds 48 in to the length and the width.
- Light: hang a pendant 30 to 36 in (76 to 91 cm) above the table. Our pendant calculator can help with the size.
Worked examples
A 14 × 12 ft room, 6 people, comfortable clearance
With 42 in of clearance, the space allows a table up to 84 × 60 in. For six people a 72 × 36 in table is a good choice. Use a rug of about 120 × 84 in.
A 12 × 12 ft room, 6 people, round table
The largest round table is 60 in. A 48 in table seats six comfortably and leaves lots of room.
A table of 72 × 36 in
It seats six comfortably, or eight in a squeeze. With 42 in of clearance you need a room of at least 156 × 120 in, which is 13 × 10 ft.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the table, but not the space. A table that fits the room is not the same as a table you can use.
- Forgetting the chairs. A chair needs about 18 to 24 in behind the table edge to pull out.
- Buying a table with a base in the way. A pedestal base, or legs at the corners, change how many people sit at the ends.
- Not counting the other furniture. A buffet, a door that opens or a radiator reduces the clearance on that side.
- Choosing the table for the occasional big dinner. A table with leaves is better than a very big table that crowds the room all year.
Tips
- Mark the table and the clearance on the floor with painter’s tape, and walk round it before you buy.
- Choose chairs that fit under the table, with seat heights of about 18 in for a 30 in table.
- If the room is small, use a bench on one side. It tucks right under the table.
- Choose a table with an extension leaf if you only host large groups now and then.
