How can you tell what size your conference table should be? It’s a question without a simple answer. Below you will find information on two methods of figuring out the best size: by evaluating the space available, and by working from the desired number of users. And we also provide information about how many people fit at different shaped tables. It’s a lot to wade through, so please CALL US AT 1-484-680-7102 OR EMAIL US AND WE WILL HELP YOU. If you prefer to figure it out yourself, here are our guidelines:Seating Capacity from Room DimensionsConference Table Size from Room DimensionsThese guidelines will help you determine the maximum size boardroom or conference 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 equipment 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.Calculating Size from the Number of UsersConference Table Size by Number of UsersThe quick and easy way: # of users = length (in feet) – 2The accurate way: divide perimeter by space allocated per personThe 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.Seating Capacity for Different Shapes 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 conference table shape: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:Click here to see Square and Rectangle Conference Tables.Rectangle Conference Table# UsersSize (feet)Size (inches)4 3 x 536 x 6063.5 x 542 x 6084 x 848 x 96104 x 1048 x 120124 x 1448 x 168144.5 x 1654 x 192164.5 x 1854 x 216185 x 2060 x 240205 x 2260 x 264225 x 2460 x 288245 x 2660 x 312265 x 2860 x 336285 x 3060 x
360305 x 32 60 x 388MoreCall UsCall UsSquare Conference Table# UsersSize (feet)Size (inches)43.5 x 3.542 x 4265 x 560 x 6085 x 560 x 60106 x 672 x 72128 x 896 x 96149 x 9108 x 1081610 x 10120 x 1201811 x 11132 x 1322012 x 12144 x 1442213 x 13156 x 1562416 x 16180 x 1802616 x 16192 x 19228 18 x 18216 x 2163020 x 20240 x 240MoreCall UsCall UsIt’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.Click here to see Boat Shaped Conference 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.
Click here to see Racetrack Conference 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 = diameterClick here to see Round Conference 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.Click here to see Keystone or Videoconference Conference 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.