How To Calculate The Dining Table Size

To calculate the dining table size, we are mainly going to take into account two aspects: the space you have in the dining room and the number of people you would like to sit at that table. In all probability one of these aspects, or perhaps both, determine the limitations and the ideal size for your table.

How to calculate the dining table size that perfectly fits the available space? What is the best design for your table?

Often, when we think of a dining table, we imagine sitting comfortably around it, sharing a delicious meal with our family or friends, and we want everyone to feel so comfortable that all they have to think about is food and conversation.

If you want PAROTAS to advise you to calculate your dining table size, please contact us, we will gladly help you choose the best design and size for your table, either a parota wood table, or another type of wood.

calculate best dining table sizes
How to calculate your dining table size

Important aspects about how to calculate the dining table size

There is a wide range of options on how we can establish the place, shape or our dining table size, the most common are usually the dining tables that are located next to the family room or inside a dining room, but also we can find dining tables in passageways, or breakfast nooks in the kitchen, or multipurpose dining tables that are also used for work or play. Depending on the possibilities of the space, we will be able to determine if we have limitations for the maximum size of our table, or if we require a specific shape for the table, for example: square, oval, rectangular or round. Below we will offer some of the measurements and sizes that can help you determine the ideal size of a dining table that is most suitable for you.

Dining table size according to the available space

When you need a new dining table, you’re probably wondering: What type of dining table should I buy? The answer could be as simple as saying: “the one you like best”. However, the first thing you will have to check is the available space, not only taking into account the table, but also the passageways and other possible furniture that you are going to have in your room, such as consoles, credenzas or carving tables.

The space available in your room will determine not only the size of your dining table but also the number of people you can seat at that table. Obviously, if space is not an issue, your decision will be determined by the maximum number of people you want to sit down for a meal.

To calculate the ideal dining table size, you can start with a few simple calculations. For example, go to the space of your living room and draw, either on paper or on the floor, the shape of the dining table that you would like to have and calculate that the minimum space between the edge of the table and any wall or furniture that is around it must be 30 inches, so that you can, at the same time, put a chair and also allow you to pass behind that chair when there is a person sitting. That distance between the table and the wall is not ideal, but it is the minimum distance that you will need and that will give you an adequate ratio between the table and the space available for your dining room.

Best dining table size

Consider that 30 inches would be the minimum space between the table and any obstacles that may be around it, but it is recommended to leave more space so that the passage of people is much more comfortable, especially if the obstacles or objects are mobile, such as a door. For example, if you have a door near your table, we advise you to try to leave a minimum of 48 or 49 inches, so that the entrance and exit through that door are not impeded by the table and chairs.

Finally, if space is not a problem, or the issue is that the space is too big for a table, then we must consider that the table is not too small and disproportionate for that space. In such a case, we are going to determine the maximum number of people that we want to sit around the table and we will take as a reference the distance from the table to the nearest wall or object, which we will try not to leave more than 180 or 200 cm. If the table is too big and you still have more space, we advise you to include some additional furniture, such as a divider, screen or some decorative objects.

Dining table size according to its shape and design

The ideal dining table size for your table will also depend on the shape and design of that table. The most common shapes for a table are usually: rectangular, oval, square and round, the rest of the tables will be irregular and this can have advantages and disadvantages depending on the use that you want to give your table. On many occasions, the design of the dining table is determined by the shape of the space where the table is located, and its proportion with respect to the rest of the furniture and objects in that space. For example, if your space is square, you may initially want to decide on a square or circular table, but if you want to add a console or carving table to one of the walls, a rectangular or oval one may be better.
When deciding on the shape or design of your dining tables, you need to think that size is proportional to the number of people and if you are looking to seat more than 10 people, some tables may be too big for you. and your family or your guests can carry on conversations comfortably, or so that you can even reach objects or dishes placed in the center of the table. This happens with square or rectangular tables that have a width greater than 160 cm or round tables with a diameter of more than 2 meters, in both cases it will be difficult for us to have a conversation with someone on the other side of the table if we raise our voices and disturb other diners.

Dining table typical designDining table size according to the number of guests

To know the dining table size based on the number of guests that will sit at that table, you first need to know how much space is required for each guest to be comfortable or very comfortable, for that there are standards for the minimum measurements and the recommendations that you can consider when making your calculations.

To sit at a table to eat and not feel the discomfort of being too close to the person next to us, each diner needs a minimum space of 20 inches along the table, although the most recommended space it would be from 24 inches per person. Now, this space will also be determined by the size of the chairs you are going to use, as chairs can vary in size considerably, especially if they have armrests or not. If we want to completely avoid our guests at the table from being very comfortable and not hitting their elbows against each other, then we will consider a space between 26 and 30 inches for each person. We must also consider the depth of the space per person at the table, for example most dining tables measure between 30 and 48 inches wide, so the depth space of each diner will be between 13 and 18 inches towards the inside of the table, so that we have enough space to include shared plates or decoration objects in the center.

Standard dining table size space per personBefore calculating what size dining table you need, you need decide if you want to fit in extra seating at the head and end of the table.

So what dining table size should I buy?

Below you can see size requirements based on square, rectangular, and round table sizes, and tips to help you choose the shape that works best based on the seating you want.

Dining table for 2 people

The dining table size for 2 people according to its design could be:

  • Square Table for 2 people: normally designed to put a chair on each side of the table, a minimum size of 32 inches is recommended, although in some cafeterias you can find 30 or 32 inches on each side.
  • Rectangular Table for 2 people: if you want to be comfortable and share some dishes, the table should not be less than 38 x 30 inches although a width of 32 inches would be more comfortable.
  • Round Table for 2 People: Ideally, the table should be between 32 and 36 inches cm in diameter , especially if you are expecting more company.

Round dining table size dimensions

Dining table for 4 people

The dining table size for 4 people according to its design could be:

  • Square Table for 4 people: the most recommended minimum size would be 36 x 36 inches, although it is more advisable to have 40 or 44 inches. Ideally, the table could be up to 50 inches per side to make a very comfortable table.
  • Rectangular Table for 4 people: in this table we would be seating two people on each side, and for this the minimum size of the table would be 48 x 36 inches, although we could extend the table a little if eventually you I would like to seat two more people at the head.
  • Round Table for 4 people: we recommend a minimum of 36 inches in diameter, but it would be really comfortable if it were between 44 and 52 inches in diameter to comfortably seat 4 people, even one plus.

Dining table for 6 people

The dining table size for 6 people according to its design could be:

  • Square Table for 6 people: there is no ideal size for this table, rather it would be a larger table for 4 or a slightly smaller table for 8. Check the size of the 4 and 8 person dining tables.
  • Rectangular table for 6 people: in this type of table we are going to seat two people at the head of the table and two people on each side. At a minimum we will need a 60 x 36-inch table, although our guests will be much more spacious at a table of up to 92 x 40 inches.
  • Round Table for 6 people: we recommend a minimum of 52 inches in diameter, although if you have enough space it would be advisable to have a round table of 64 inches in diameter..

how to calculate the dining table size

Dining table for 8 people

The dining table size for 8 people according to its design could be:

  • Square Table for 8 people: in this type of table we will seat 2 people on each side of the table, therefore it will be necessary that the side of the table allows us to have space so that the diners do not bother with their arms or hands. legs, for which we will need a table that measures at least 54 x 54 inches, although ideally the table should measure 60 or 64 inches on each side.
  • Rectangular Table for 8 people: at this table we will seat two people at the head of the table and three people on each side. At a minimum we will need a table of 84 x 40 inches, although our guests will be much more spacious in a table of up to 96 x 40 inches.
  • Round Table for 8 people: we recommend a minimum of 72 inches in diameter, although if you have enough space it would be advisable to have a round table of 84 inches in diameter.

Dining table for 10 people

The dining table size for 10 people according to its design could be:

  • Square Table for 10 people: of two chairs must take into account the shared space, putting the minimum size of dining table at 31 inches (80 cm), while a table
  • Rectangular table for 10 people: for two you would need at least 42 x 31 inches (110 x 70 cm). However, if you opt for a table
  • Round Table for 10 People: 36 inches (3 feet; 90 cm), it can comfortably seat up to three people.

How to calculate the dining table size 2 4 6 8 10 12 seaters

Dining table for 12 people

The dining table size for 12 people according to its design could be:

  • Square Table for 12 people: of two chairs must take into account the shared space, putting the minimum size of dining table at 31 inches (80 cm), while a table
  • Rectangular table for 12 people: for two you would need at least 42 x 31 inches (110 x 70 cm). However, if you opt for a table
  • Round Table for 12 People: 36 inches (3 feet; 90 cm), it can comfortably seat up to three people.

Dining table size 6 8 10 12 seater

If you have any additional questions or require our help in calculating the size and measurement of your dining table, please send an email to PAROTAS and we will gladly help you find the ideal design and size for your dining table.

 

© 2022 PAROTA FURNITURE S.A. DE C.V.

42 thoughts on “How To Calculate The Dining Table Size

  1. Lisa says:

    Our room is 17 foot x 12 foot, what would you suggest is the maximum sizes table we could fit in, to seat between 12 and 14 people.
    Thank you

    • PAROTAS says:

      A rectangle table of 10–12ft long x 3–4ft wide could comfortably seat 10–12 people, depending on your desired seating arrangement. It would be harder to seat 14 people, but an option is to go for a wider table and seat two at each end.

      A round or square table of 7ft in diameter could squeeze in 12 people, but only allows minimal space for guests to enter and exit the table.

    • PAROTAS says:

      If there is no other furniture in the room, you could fit four people at a round or square table of 3ft in diameter (use a pedestal base for more leg space or to squeeze in five people). You could opt for a diameter of 4ft, although it will be a tighter squeeze to get into the table on two sides.

      You could fit a rectangle table of around 4ft long x 2.6–3ft wide, which seats around 4 people. Try to allow a space of around 3–4ft around each side of the table, so guests can move around (4ft is more comfortable).

  2. Darlene says:

    I have a dining space 12 ft by 13 ft. What is the largest table I can fit into this space so people can easily walk around the table. I don’t have any other furniture in the room.

    • PAROTAS says:

      You need at least 6–8ft of clearance space (counting both sides), so 7ft would be the longest table you could fit, but 5ft would be more comfortable for people to get in and out. You would then adapt these measurements depending on the shape (round, square, or rectangle).

    • PAROTAS says:

      A table with a length of 8ft–9ft would fit in the room, and you generally wouldn’t want more than 2.5–3 ft width for a rectangle table. You could also fit a round table with a diameter of 8ft wide, if you wanted to fit more people.

  3. Bridget says:

    Hello,
    Can you please tell me the centimetres around a 48″ x 88″ table as well as a 52′ x 88″ table? Will I lose place settings if I go with the 48″ x 52″? Many thanks!
    Bridget

  4. kim says:

    I have a space that is 12 feet wide by close to 110″ of useable space toward the kitchen island. I am considering a round 54″ table with 6 side chairs, rather than arm chairs so we will have more room. I would use 4-5 chairs for the most part and then add the 6th chair if we have company. Does this make sense for this space?

    • PAROTAS says:

      It makes sense, although you will have just under the minimum space for getting in and out of the table (30 inches on all sides), so in some areas it will be a tighter squeeze to get into the table. A 54 inch table is the minimum size to fit six people, so five people will sit comfortably.

  5. beth says:

    What size table would you recommend for a 14×24 dining room with a 20 inch buffet? Preferably max seating as we do entertain. Thanks

    • PAROTAS says:

      With such a large-sized room, technically the maximum size you can is fit 16ft x 8ft (assuming the buffet is on the longer side of the room), although those are not realistic measurements for a dining table. You wouldn’t want a round or square table wider than 7–8ft, because it creates sound issues, while 4ft is an adequate width for a rectangle table. So, most standard tables you buy will fit.

      Calculating in the maximum space to move around the table (48 inches), a 14ft-long rectangle table or 6ft square or round table would provide a nice visual balance.

    • PAROTAS says:

      Leaving a very narrow walk-around space of 30 inches, you could fit a 4-seater rectangular table of 48 inches x 24 inches, or a 2–3ft round or square table. Opt for a smaller table size if you prefer to leave more space to get in and out.

    • PAROTAS says:

      You could fit a square or round table of 5ft in diameter. With that size you could seat 6–8. Fitting 12 people would be unlikely. If you opted for a rectangular table, you could opt for a length of around 6–7ft, fitting around 6–8 people. You might be able to squeeze in two more people if you opt for a wider table, and seat two at each end.

  6. Paige says:

    Hello! I have a “nook” off of the kitchen in my new house that I’m planning on making our dining area. The nook is a square in shape and is 12 feet by 12 feet. I’m wanting to put a rectangular table there. What length table would you suggest?

    • PAROTAS says:

      You can fit a table with a length of 6ft (or even a square or round table with the same diameter), giving you around 36 inches of moving space on either side. You will also have plenty of space to opt for a table width that allows a full plate setting and room to place food in the middle (40–50 inches).

  7. TC says:

    Hi,

    I’m having a debate with my wife about what width table we should get. Our space is 173″ x 120″ with the short side open to the kitchen. We’re having an 8′ table made but not sure if we should get 36″ or 42″ wide. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

    • PAROTAS says:

      In terms of space, you can fit either 36″ or 42″, but your decision might be swayed by:
      1. The size or style of chair you have – if you have large chairs, opt for the smaller table size to give your guests more room to pull out their chair.
      2. Whether you use a full plate setting often, or if you want more room to set food in the middle of the table – in either case, opt for the larger table width.

  8. Janice R Russo says:

    I have a 11.5 ft by 11.5 ft dining room. What is the largest circular table I should purchase?
    Thank you

    • PAROTAS says:

      You can fit a round table of 5.5–6.5 feet in diameter, with seating for 8 to 10 people and minimal moving room.

    • PAROTAS says:

      It would be a tight fit width-wise, as that sized table would only leave around 23.5 inches to exit and enter the table on each side. The minimum recommended moving space is 30–36 inches on each side. If that doesn’t bother you, then you might consider bench-style seating or stools to help the lack of space.

    • PAROTAS says:

      Lengthwise, you could fit a table of 66-78 inches (5’5″ x 6’5″). Width wise, if you leave the minimum of 30 inches on each side to exit the table, you’re only left with a table of 30 inches wide, which doesn’t leave much space if you wanted to put food in between your plate settings. It would be unlikely that you could seat eight people. You could try a rectangle table with three seats on each side, and try squeezing two seats on either end when needed, but it would be a very tight fit and not comfortable.

  9. MMS says:

    I have a 15′ x 10’9″ dining room and I have the options of two different tables:
    48″ x 92″ or 42″ x 92″
    I would like to be able to seat 8 people comfortably with the option to squeeze in 10.
    Please advise…
    Thanks!

    • PAROTAS says:

      If you want more room to put food in between plate settings, opt for the wider table (48 inches). If you want more space to enter and exit the table (or have larger style chairs, or with armrests), opt for the narrower table (42 inches). Both widths are comfortable for your room size.

      The thing you might reconsider is opting for a longer table. With 92 inches (7.6ft), you only just have enough space to fit in 8 people, but 10 would be tight. You could fit a longer table of around 9–10ft, given your room size, which would be more comfortable to seat 10. You might also consider a round table of around 6ft, which would be a tighter squeeze to get in and out on one side, but with a pedestal base, you it is easier to squeeze people in.

  10. Leigh says:

    My dining room is 10 x 14 with an 18 inch deep buffet across the 10 foot end. The opposite 10 foot end is a 4 foot opening to the foyer.What is the largest size table you would recommend ?

    • PAROTAS says:

      You could fit a table sized 95–105 inches x 30–42 inch, depending on how much visual space you want around your table (choose a smaller table if you want more visual space).

  11. Will says:

    I have a dining area of 7 1/2 ft x roughly 5 ft. although the 5 ft could extend into walkthrough area. Which would be a better fit round or rectangle and how big. I had a 3×5 rectangle previously with 4 chairs

    • PAROTAS says:

      Given our recommended entry and exit space (30 inches each side = 5ft), it is hard to recommend a table without seeing how the walkthrough area functions.

  12. SHELLEY HIBBLER says:

    If i have a large club ballroom that seats about 200 people at 10 – 12 ft round tables, would changing our tables to rectangles create more seating?

    • PAROTAS says:

      It would depend on the shape and size of your room. If you had a plain, rectangular ballroom, using rectangular tables would require less space to seat the same amount of people.

  13. Justin says:

    I have a 9.5’ x10’ nook surrounded by windows. Found a 60” round table i love with 4 fully upholstered chairs. Will this look too big for that space?

    • PAROTAS says:

      On one side it will be a tight fit and the other side will only have minimum space to enter and exit the table. It also depends on the room (if one side of the room is open there is more leeway, but not if it’s a closed room).
      It also depends on the type of chairs (chairs with armrests will take up more visual space), and the type of table (if the legs are thick or thin, or if it has a single pedestal base etc.).

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