Large, small, and everything in between
There are two ways to determined the proper conference table size:
It's important that your table work in both respects. It's usually harder to change room dimensions than to adjust the number of users, so start with that calculation, then double check against the desired number of users.
Conference Table Size From Room Dimensions
These guidelines will help you determine the maximum size table that will fit. However, you may not want to use all of the space available for the table. Conference rooms are also used for gatherings where people are not seated, and it can be useful to leave some extra space for circulation.
- Measure the room's length and width. Subtract obstructions such as columns and other furniture. You want to determine the dimensions of the free space that can hold the table. (If your room is an odd shape, it's best for us to analyze the space for you. We will need the floor plans. Fax them to us at 610 239 0732, or email them to us. We prefer a .pdf or .dwg file format.)
- The clearance, or space between the table and the closest obstruction, varies with the size of the room. We use these dimensions:
- For spaces up to 16 feet long, minimum clearance is 42" (3.5 feet) all around the table, and 48" (4 feet) is recommended.
- For spaces up to 22 feet long, minimum clearance is 48" (4 feet) around the table, and 60" (5') is recommended.
- For spaces over 22 feet long, minimum clearance is 60" (5 feet) , and 72" (6 feet) is recommended.
- Subtract twice the clearance from the length and width of the room to find the table's maximum dimensions:
Here's a few more things to consider:
- Many conference rooms include a credenza. They range from 16" to 24" in depth. This should be subtracted from the space available. If you order a credenza from us, we'll help you find the best size. Narrower credenzas work for smaller rooms, larger ones provide more storage and counter space for food service.
- You don't always need to allow the same amount of space all around the table, i.e. you might be able to have smaller clearance at the sides than at the end. Placement of doors in the room will determine circulation patterns around the table. We can analyze your floor plans to see what will work.
- Tables don't always need to be placed in the center of the room, or oriented on the room's major axes. If you are trying to seat a lot of people in a smaller room, then alternative placement should be considered. After reviewing your floor plans, we will suggest options.
- Audio/visual equpment often requires specific distances from projector to screen. If the table is used to house this equipment, then this needs to be taken into account. We will work with your IT department or AV consultant to make sure that everything works.
- Don't worry about moving the table into the space. All of our tables are designed to be shipped in pieces, and engineered for easy assembly and disassembly. It is helpful for us to get the dimensions of the elevators and doors used to access the space, particularly in older buildings.
Conference Table Size by number of Users
- The quick and easy way: # of users = length (in feet) - 2
- The accurate way: divide perimeter by space allocated per person
The size of the table can be determined by giving each person a fixed amount of space, and then finding the amount of perimeter required. You will need to consider the shape of the table to find out how much perimeter is available - see below.
How much space per user?
- The absolute minimum would be the width of the chairs used, but this is not comfortable in business situations. Most conference style chairs will be 24" to 30" in width. A narrower chair means easier seating for a given number of users.
- We recommend a minimum of 30" per person. This will feel a little tight, but will work. We use this dimension when the room size constrains the size of the table.
- 36" per person is comfortable, and appropriate for boardroom use.
- For situations where users needs more space (for instance, meetings where everyone has a computer and documents on the table), 42" is appropriate. For luxury situations, 48" is preferred.
Shape and Seating Capacity
Different shapes provide different amounts of perimeter for a given length and width. Rectangles, boats, and squares provide the most for their size, racetracks and rounds the least. Videoconference tables are efficient when all 4 sides are used, but less so when the wide end is empty. U's and V's come in many proportions, but are very inefficient because so much of the perimeter is not used for seating. Here's more detail for each table shape:
Square and Rectangle Tables
These are the simplest tables to fabricate, and thus the most economical for a given seating capacity. It's also easy to figure out how many users from their dimensions:
| Rectangle Table |
| # Users |
Size (feet) |
Size (inches) |
| 4 |
3 x 5 |
36 x 60 |
| 6 |
3.5 x 5 |
42 x 60 |
| 8 |
4 x 8 |
48 x 96 |
| 10 |
4 x 10 |
48 x 120 |
| 12 |
4 x 14 |
48 x 168 |
| 14 |
4.5 x 16 |
54 x 192 |
| 16 |
4.5 x 18 |
54 x 216 |
| 18 |
5 x 20 |
60 x 240 |
| 20 |
5 x 22 |
60 x 264 |
| 22 |
5 x 24 |
60 x 288 |
| 24 |
5 x 26 |
60 x 312 |
| 26 |
5 x 28 |
60 x 336 |
| 28 |
5 x 30 |
60 x 360 |
| 30 |
5 x 32 |
60 x 388 |
| More |
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|
| Square Table |
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) |
| 4 | 3.5 x 3.5 | 42 x 42 |
| 6 | 5 x 5 | 60 x 60 |
| 8 | 5 x 5 | 60 x 60 |
| 10 | 6 x 6 | 72 x 72 |
| 12 | 8 x 8 | 96 x 96 |
| 14 | 9 x 9 | 108 x 108 |
| 16 | 10 x 10 | 120 x 120 |
| 18 | 11 x 11 | 132 x 132 |
| 20 | 12 x 12 | 144 x 144 |
| 22 | 13 x 13 | 156 x 156 |
| 24 | 15 x 15 | 180 x 180 |
| 26 | 16 x 16 | 192 x 192 |
| 28 | 18 x 18 | 216 x 216 |
| 30 | 20 x 20 | 240 x 240 |
| More | Call us | Call us |
|
Boat Shaped Tables
It's commonly believed that the curved side provides more seating room. Not so: unless the curve is extreme, the amount of perimeter is almost identical to a rectangle of the same dimensions. You will have better sight lines, and the look is more graceful. You can use the same calculation to determine seating, but note that the table width is larger for a given number of people.
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) |
| 4 | 3 x 5 | 36 x 60 |
| 6 | 3.5 x 5 | 42 x 60 |
| 8 | 4 x 8 | 48 x 96 |
| 10 | 4 x 10 | 48 x 120 |
| 12 | 5 x 14 | 60 x 168 |
| 14 | 5 x 16 | 60 x 192 |
| 16 | 5 x 18 | 60 x 216 |
| 18 | 5 x 20 | 60 x 240 |
| 20 | 6 x 22 | 72 x 264 |
| 22 | 6 x 24 | 72 x 288 |
| 24 | 6 x 26 | 72 x 312 |
| 26 | 7 x 28 | 84 x 336 |
| 28 | 8 x 30 | 84 x 360 |
| 30 | 8 x 32 | 84 x 388 |
| More | Call us | Call us |
Racetrack Tables
Racetrack tables consist of a rectangular center capped with two half circle ends. They have 12.5% less perimeter than a rectangle of comparable length and width; this usually means that you lose 1 or 2 people from the corresponding rectangle.
Round Tables
Rounds are pretty, but inefficient. They have only 78.5% of the perimeter of a square of the same dimensions, and you have to be careful not to crowd users' feet under the table. But the capacity calculation is very simple: users = diameter
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) |
| 2 | 3 | 36 |
| 4 | 54 | 4.5 |
| 6 | 5 | 60 |
| 8 | 8 | 96 |
| 10 | 10 | 120 |
| 12 | 12 | 144 |
| 14 | 14 | 168 |
| 16 | 16 | 192 |
| 18 | 18 | 216 |
| 20 | 20 | 240 |
| 22 | 22 | 264 |
| 24 | 24 | 288 |
| 26 | 26 | 312 |
| 28 | 28 | 336 |
| More | Call us | Call us |
Videoconference Tables
The keystone shape is becoming a standard for videoconferencing. (These are also commonly called VTC tables.) The wide end of the table faces the cameras and screen, and is not used for seating. The capacity is identical to rectangles, but with one person removed.
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) |
| 3 | 4 x 5 | 48 x 60 |
| 5 | 4.5 x 5 | 54 x 60 |
| 7 | 5 x 8 | 60 x 96 |
| 9 | 5 x 10 | 60 x 120 |
| 11 | 5 x 14 | 60 x 168 |
| 13 | 5.5 x 16 | 66 x 192 |
| 15 | 5.5 x 18 | 66 x 216 |
| 17 | 6 x 20 | 72 x 240 |
| 19 | 6 x 22 | 72 x 264 |
| 21 | 6 x 24 | 72 x 288 |
| 23 | 6 x 26 | 72 x 312 |
| 25 | 7 x 28 | 84 x 336 |
| 27 | 7 x 30 | 84 x 360 |
| 29 | 7 x 32 | 84 x 388 |
| More | Call us | Call us |
U Shaped Tables
U Shaped tables seat people along 3 sides, and have an open center. The usually come in two varieties: squared end and rounded end. The seating capacity is determined by the perimeter of that outer edge, but that varies widely. These tables must be sized to the room. Send us your room plans and the desired number of users and we'll determine what works best.
V Shaped Tables
V shaped tables, like U shaped tables, seat people along 3 sides. Their arms are not parallel, which facilitates videoconferencing. They also must be sized to the room. Send us the plans, tell us how many people you'd like to seat, and we'll do the rest.
Modular Tables
There's no universal rule regarding modular table size and seating capacity, but here are the most common sizes:
- 4' x 4'
- 5' x 5'
- 3' x 6'
- 4' x 8'
Seating capacity is determined by how the tables are assembled. Contact us and we'll help you work out the best size for your room.