At Paul Downs, we’ve been creating custom conference room tables and furniture since 1986. We specialize in large conference table and boardroom table designs built to our client’s specifications. We also make other furniture including lecterns, credenzas, reception desks, and much more. We’re a workshop, not a factory. We make every piece from scratch, one at a time.
3 Ways to Select the Best Conference Table Size:
There are many different ways that you can select the right conference table for your business. Some of our clients will tell us how many people will use the conference table at a time. Others prefer to select a conference table style first and then figure out what size they will need. If you want to try and fill a particular size space, you can search conference tables based on the dimensions of your room. No matter which option you choose, we have a custom conference table that is right for you!
Conference Table Size by Number of Seats
How much space per user?
- We recommend a minimum of 30” per person for business situations. We use this dimension when the room size constrains the size of the table.
- Otherwise, 36” per person is comfortable and appropriate for boardroom use. This dimension is also good for round tables.
- 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.
Per User Conference Table Minimum Size for Common Table Shapes:
| # of Users | Rectangle | Boat | Square | Round | U, V, or Head (total length) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 36 x 60 | 42 x 60 | 42 x 42 | 48 | 36 x 128 |
| 6 | 36 x 72 | 42 x 72 | 48 x 60 | 72 | 36 x 192 |
| 8 | 48 x 96 | 54 x 96 | 64 x 64 | 96 | 36 x 256 |
| 10 | 48 x 144 | 54 x 144 | 64 x 96 | 120 | 36 x 320 |
| 12 | 48 x 168 | 54 x 168 | 96 x 96 | 144 | 36 x 384 |
| 14 | 48 x 192 | 54 x 192 | 96 x 128 | 168 | 36 x 448 |
| 16 | 54 x 216 | 72 x 216 | 128 x 128 | 192 | 36 x 512 |
| 18 | 54 x 240 | 72 x 240 | 128 x 160 | 216 | 36 x 576 |
| 20 | 60 x 264 | 72 x 264 | 160 x 160 | 240 | 36 x 640 |
| 22 | 60 x 288 | 84 x 288 | 160 x 192 | 264 | 36 x 704 |
| 24 | 60 x 312 | 84 x 312 | 192 x 192 | 288 | 36 x 768 |
| 26 | 60 x 336 | 96 x 336 | 192 x 224 | 312 | 36 x 832 |
| 28 | 66 x 360 | 96 x 360 | 224 x 224 | 336 | 36 x 896 |
| 30 | 72 x 384 | 96 x 390 | 216 x 240 | 360 | 36 x 960 |
These are guidelines, and there is flexibility to fit your room. We make tables any size required. To see more detail on particular shapes, click here: Seating Capacity for Different Shapes
Seating Capacity for Common Shapes
Detailed Charts for Each Shape:
Rectangles, boats, and squares provide the most seating for their size while racetracks and rounds provide the least. Videoconference tables are efficient when all 4 sides are used, but less so when the wide end is empty. U-shaped and V-shaped conference tables 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 (click on the shape to go directly to that chart):
Square and Rectangle Conference Tables
These two shapes have the most perimeter for a given length and width. They will maximize the number of people you can fit in your room. Our rectangle charts assume one user at each end of the table. The square tables have multiple users at the shorter ends. In both cases, very large tables can be made with an open center, or as a set of modular tables.
Rectangle Table Size and Seating Chart:
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) | Min Room Size (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 x 5 | 36 x 60 | 10 x 12 |
| 6 | 3 x 6 | 36 x 72 | 10 x 13 |
| 8 | 4 x 8 | 48 x 96 | 11 x 17 |
| 10 | 4 x 12 | 48 x 144 | 11 x 19 |
| 12 | 4 x 14 | 48 x 168 | 11 x 21 |
| 14 | 4'6" x 16 | 54 x 192 | 11'6" x 23 |
| 16 | 4'6" x 18 | 54 x 216 | 12'6" x 26 |
| 18 | 5 x 20 | 60 x 240 | 13 x 28 |
| 20 | 5 x 22 | 60 x 264 | 15 x 32 |
| 22 | 5 x 24 | 60 x 288 | 15 x 34 |
| 24 | 5 x 26 | 60 x 312 | 15 x 36 |
| 26 | 5 x 28 | 60 x 336 | 15 x 38 |
| 28 | 5'6" x 30 | 66 x 360 | 15'6" x 40 |
| 30 | 6 x 32 | 72 x 384 | 16 x 42 |
Square Table Size and Seating Chart:
Note: For numbers of users not divisible by 4, the tables are not perfectly square:
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) | Min Room Size (Feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3' 6" x 3' 6" | 42 x 42 | 10'6" x 10'6" |
| 6 | 4' x 5' | 48 x 60 | 11 x 12 |
| 8 | 5' 4" x 5' 4" | 64 x 64 | 12'6" x 12'6" |
| 10 | 5' 4" x 8 | 64 x 96 | 12'6" x 15 |
| 12 | 8' x 8' | 96 x 96 | 15 x 15 |
| 14 | 8' x 10' 8" | 96 x 128 | 15 x 18 |
| 16 | 10' 4" x 10' 8" | 128 x 128 | 19 x 19 |
| 18 | 10' 8" x 13' 4" | 128 x 160 | 19 x 21'6" |
| 20 | 13' 4" x 13' 4" | 160 x 160 | 21'6" x 21'6" |
| 22 | 13' 4" x 16' | 160 x 192 | 23'6" x 26 |
| 24 | 16' x 16' | 192 x 192 | 26 x 26 |
| 26 | 16' x 18' 8" | 192 x 224 | 26 x 29 |
| 28 | 18' 8" x 18' 8" | 224 x 224 | 29 x 29 |
| 30 | 18' 8" x 21' 4" | 224 x 256 | 29 x 31'6" |
Boat-Shaped Conference Tables
It’s commonly believed that the curved side of a boat-shaped conference table provides more seating room. Nope! 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. Here are minimum sizes for a given number of users:
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) | Min Room Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3'6" x 5 | 42 x 60 | 10'6" x 12 |
| 6 | 3'6" x 6 | 42 x 72 | 10'6" x 13 |
| 8 | 4 x 8 | 48 x 96 | 11 x 15 |
| 10 | 4'6" x 12 | 54 x 144 | 11'6" x 19 |
| 12 | 4'6" x 14 | 54 x 168 | 11'6" x 21 |
| 14 | 4'6" x 16 | 54 x 192 | 11'6" x 23 |
| 16 | 6 x 18 | 72 x 216 | 14 x 26 |
| 18 | 6 x 20 | 72 x 240 | 14 x 28 |
| 20 | 6 x 22 | 72 x 264 | 14 x 30 |
| 22 | 6 x 24 | 72 x 288 | 16 x 34 |
| 24 | 7 x 26 | 84 x 312 | 17 x 36 |
| 26 | 7 x 28 | 84 x 336 | 17 x 38 |
| 28 | 8 x 30 | 96 x 360 | 18 x 40 |
| 30 | 8 x 32'6" | 96 x 390 | 18 x 42'6" |
Racetrack Conference Tables
Racetrack conference tables consist of a rectangular center capped with two half-circle ends. They have less perimeter than a rectangle of comparable length and width and end up being a bit longer to seat a given number of people. Very large sizes can be made with an open center or as a set of modular tables.
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) | Min Room Size (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3' x 3' 8" | 36 x 44 | 10 x 11 |
| 6 | 3' 6" x 6' 2" | 42 x 74 | 10'6" x 13'6" |
| 8 | 4' x 8' 6" | 48 x 102 | 11 x 15'6" |
| 10 | 4' 6" x 10' 10" | 54 x 130 | 11'6" x 18 |
| 12 | 4' 6" x 13' 6" | 54 x 162 | 11'6" x 20'6" |
| 14 | 4' 6" x 16' 2" | 54 x 194 | 11'6" x 23'6" |
| 16 | 6' x 18' | 72 x 216 | 14 x 26 |
| 18 | 6' x 20' 8" | 72 x 248 | 14 x 29 |
| 20 | 6' x 23' 4" | 72 x 280 | 14 x 31'6" |
| 22 | 6' x 26' | 72 x 312 | 16 x 36 |
| 24 | 7' x 28' 2" | 84 x 338 | 17 x 38'6" |
| 26 | 7' x 30' 10" | 84 x 370 | 17 x 41 |
| 28 | 8' x 32' 10" | 96 x 394 | 18 x 43 |
| 30 | 8' x 35' 6" | 96 x 426 | 18 x 45'6" |
Round Conference Tables
Round conference tables are pretty, but inefficient. They have only 78.5% of the perimeter of a square of the same dimensions. The capacity calculation is very simple: users = diameter. This will allow enough room under the table so that people don’t kick each other. Large round tables are usually made with an open center. If your space isn’t square, we can make an oval table with the same perimeter – these will always have custom dimensions.
| # Users | Diameter (feet) | Diameter (inches) | Min Room Size (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 48 | 11 x 11 |
| 6 | 6 | 72 | 13 x 13 |
| 8 | 8 | 96 | 15 x 15 |
| 10 | 10 | 120 | 17 x 17 |
| 12 | 12 | 144 | 19 x 19 |
| 14 | 14 | 168 | 21 x 21 |
| 16 | 16 | 192 | 24 x 24 |
| 18 | 18 | 216 | 26 x 26 |
| 20 | 20 | 240 | 28 x 28 |
| 22 | 22 | 264 | 32 x 32 |
| 24 | 24 | 288 | 34 x 34 |
| 26 | 26 | 312 | 36 x 36 |
| 28 | 28 | 336 | 38 x 38 |
| 30 | 30 | 360 | 40 x 40 |
Keystone or Videoconference 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. This chart shows the minimum recommended width at the wide end – this can be changed for better viewing angles. Very large and wide keystones are usually built with an open center – see V-Shaped tables for examples.
| # Users | Size (feet) | Size (inches) | Min Room Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 x 5 | 48 x 60 | 11 x 12 |
| 5 | 4'6" x 6 | 54 x 72 | 11'6" x 13 |
| 7 | 5 x 8 | 60 x 96 | 12 x 15 |
| 9 | 5 x 10 | 60 x 120 | 12 x 17 |
| 11 | 5 x 14 | 60 x 168 | 12 x 21 |
| 13 | 5'6" x 16 | 66 x 192 | 12'6" x 23 |
| 15 | 6 x 18 | 72 x 216 | 14 x 26 |
| 17 | 6 x 20 | 72 x 240 | 14 x 28 |
| 19 | 6 x 22 | 72 x 264 | 14 x 30 |
| 21 | 6 x 24 | 72 x 288 | 16 x 34 |
| 23 | 7 x 26 | 84 x 312 | 17 x 36 |
| 25 | 7 x 28 | 84 x 336 | 17 x 38 |
| 27 | 8 x 30 | 96 x 360 | 18 x 40 |
| 29 | 8 x 32'6" | 96 x 390 | 18 x 42'6" |
U-Shaped, V-Shaped, and Committee (or Head) Tables
All of these conference table shapes seat people along their outer edges. Our chart shows the overall length required to seat people at three different spacings: 32″ for situations where maximum capacity is required; 36″ where some space between users is wanted; and 48″ where a lot of space is needed (like legislative and judicial tables). The total length shown will be the sum of the length of the outside edges. These conference tables come in a variety of shapes. The proportions of these tables must always be designed for the room and the use. Call us and we’ll help you figure it out.
| # of Users | Length (Inches) at 32" per person | Length (inches) at 36" per person | Length (Inches) at 48" per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 128 | 144 | 192 |
| 6 | 192 | 216 | 288 |
| 8 | 256 | 288 | 384 |
| 10 | 320 | 360 | 480 |
| 12 | 384 | 432 | 576 |
| 14 | 448 | 504 | 672 |
| 16 | 512 | 576 | 768 |
| 18 | 576 | 648 | 864 |
| 20 | 640 | 720 | 960 |
| 22 | 704 | 792 | 1056 |
| 24 | 768 | 864 | 1152 |
| 26 | 832 | 936 | 1248 |
| 28 | 896 | 1008 | 1344 |
| 30 | 960 | 1080 | 1440 |
Modular Conference Tables
There’s no universal rule regarding modular table size and seating capacity, but here are the most common sizes:
- 4′ x 4′ (48″ x 48″)
- 4.5′ x 4.5′ (54″ x 54″)
- 5′ x 5′ (60″ x 60″)
- 2.5′ x 5′ (30″ x 60″)
- 3′ x 6′ (32″ x 72″)
- 4′ x 8′ (48″ x 96″)
Seating capacity is determined by how the conference tables are assembled. Note: Any table shape can be built using modular tables, to allow flexibility. Contact us and we’ll help you work out the best size for your room.
Click here to download a PDF of this size and seating chart
We have prepared a comprehensive guide to modular tables, including sizing, shapes, and the many ways they can be built. See it here: Guide to Modular Tables
We also have many examples of modular tables that we’ve built for clients: Click here to see more Modular Conference Tables.
Conference Table Size from Room Dimensions
These guidelines will help you determine the maximum size boardroom or conference table that will fit in your conference room:
- You want to determine the dimensions of the free space that can hold the table, so measure the room’s length and width and subtract obstructions such as columns and other furniture. (If your room is an odd shape, it’s best for us to analyze the space for you. We can do this by viewing the floor plans via an email 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 feet) 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:
Credenzas:
- 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, while larger ones provide more storage and counter space for food service.
Spacing/Placement:
- 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 and 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:
- Audio/visual equipment often requires specific distances from the projector to the 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.
Assembly:
- 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.
