One of the most common questions we get is: What size of a table do I need to sit [X] people? Even when we mention the size they’ll need, it can still be hard to visualize for most exactly how everyone will sit at the table. In order to help, we created this nice little guide on the different sizes of tables, how many people you can sit, and the most comfortable way for everyone to sit.

Leaves

leaves-diagramLet’s start with leaves first. Almost any table can come with leaves. The rule of thumb we like to use is for every 2 leaves, you can sit an additional 2 people. This also applies to 1 leaf. When you add in one leaf, you’ll be able to add an additional person to each side.

Each of our leaves will be 12″ wide (unless otherwise specified). This can also be said as: 24″ = 2 people.

Chair space can vary but a comfortable number is usually a 3″ gap between each chair.

Round & Square Tables

When it comes to square or round tables, typically a 42″ and 48″ will be able to sit the same amount of people just like a 54″ and 60″ can. We have seen some diagrams that show a 48″ can sit 6 people. This is highly situational. The only way something like that is possible if it a pedestal style table. When you sit 6 people at that kind of size, it is a very tight fit as well.

Oval & Rectangular Tables

On any style table, a 42″ x 60″ and 42″ x 66″ will seat 6 people. A 42″ x 72″ can sit 8 people but only in a double pedestal style. Leg tables and trestle tables will have the legs and middle base get in the way. They’ll only be able to seat 6 unless you add leaves.

Widths

Typically, most tables come in a 42″w standard. You are able to increase that to a 48″ wide. This doesn’t increase the amount of people you can sit at your table. This just creates some extra leg room for those on the corners. The one thing to keep in mind when you increase the width, it can make it more difficult passing dishes and condiments. Rather than simply passing the salt, you might have to toss the salt.

32 thoughts on “How Many People Can You Sit at a Table?

  1. Gilbert Davies says:

    Looking to purchase an apartment sized dining room set with four chairs. Interested in the total price for same dependent on the type of wood used of course. Thank you.

    1. David says:

      Hi Gilbert!

      If you’re looking for an apartment sized table with four chairs, I’d recommend either a 42″ or 48″ (round or square) table. The two styles of tables you can choose from is either a leg table or single pedestal. When it comes to chairs, it’s always best to find a table first, then choose your chairs based on the style of the table. You can browse our selection of dining chairs for chairs. Pricing is available on both the tables and chairs. Hope this helps!

  2. joan yannarella says:

    How can i get extra table leaf for my table which seats 10 with the 2 leaves i have want to seat 12

    1. David says:

      Hi Joan!

      Unless it was a table purchased from us, our builders do not have the ability to make leafs for other tables.

  3. JJ says:

    Question – if I did a 54″ round with an 18″ extension that would take me to 72″. How many people could fit around that then? Conceivably 10 people?

    1. David Schroeder says:

      You would be able to sit around 8 people on a 54″W x 72″L oval shape. In order to try and squeeze 10 people around the table, you would roughly another 12″ to the length. This would be the more casual sitting set up as well. On a 54″ square/rectangular shape you can theoretically sit 10 around a 54″W x 72″L but the issue you run into is the people sitting at the corners end up overlapping each other.

    2. Milagros Vallenilla says:

      Hi, I have a dinning room that measures 120″ x 120″.

      What size table should I buy if I go for a round one?
      What size table is appropriate if I decide to buy a rectangular one?
      I need to sit a minimum of 6 people.

      I really appreciate your answer.
      Milagros

      1. David Schroeder says:

        For a round table with a room that size we’d recommend a 54″ round at the minimum but a 60″ round would work best. If you were to go with a rectangular table we would recommend 42″ wide by 66″ long at the minimum. This size works best for leg tables but on certain trestle tables it can work. The best size would be 42″ wide by 72″ long. This size works best on any style and sits 6 people the most comfortably.

  4. Ted Whitford says:

    Hello!

    I am looking to purchase a solid Amish style Farm Table with NO leaves. Looking to seat six (6) people using four (4) Windsor style spindle side chair and two (2) arm chairs on each end.

    What is the popular size or standard dimensions for this style of table and for the number of chairs?

    Thank you

    1. David Schroeder says:

      We recommend 42 inches wide by 72 inches long for a table with 6 chairs. This allows for 6 chairs to sit comfortably around the table and gives everyone plenty of leg and elbow room. If you are considering a farm house style leg table you could go to 42 inches wide by 66 inches long. It will make things a little tighter on everyone but you would still be able to have 6 chairs around the table.

  5. Koral says:

    Can you make a round outdoor table with leaves that can seat 10-12 adults?

    1. David Schroeder says:

      Unfortunately none of our outdoor tables can come with leaves. They can only be built with a solid top.

  6. Mary Rickrich says:

    I would like a round table that has extension leaves to seat 10. My room can handle a 60″ round table, which would be the set up most of the time. On holidays we would bump up to seat 10. I prefer a pedestal style. What do you recommend?

    1. David Schroeder says:

      You can view all of our Single Pedestal Tables that start at 60″ round and then extend up to fit 10 people. We’d recommend doing a 60″ round with 2-12″ leaves. You can comfortably sit 10 people around the table and then have the ability to squeeze 12 around if need be.

  7. Leah says:

    Hello, I need a table that seats 12 with 4 on each side and 2 at each head of the table. Leaves would be best so we can keep a smaller size for everyday use. What size table is recommended? Our dining room is 15’x12′. We are looking for a grey or black stain. Would this be custom? What cost? Thank you!!

    1. David Schroeder says:

      We would recommend a 48″W x 72″L table. This will allow you to sit 6 comfortable at the table and possibly squeeze 8 when the table is shrunk down. Then you would need at least 4-12″ leaves (120″L overall) to sit 12 comfortably at the table. Since the table would be 48″W you’d be able to position 2 chairs at the ends. Rectangular table tops work best for this sort of set up. Trestle tables are your best bet for this sort of set up but double pedestals work as well. We wouldn’t recommend leg tables since you lose your corners due to the legs.

      We do offer grey stains. They are under our premium section. Premium stains are 5% extra but the cost of the table is dependent on the table design. You can view a lot of tables on the website and fiddle around with prices by choosing different woods, your size, stains, etc.

  8. Nancy A Serkes says:

    I have a dining room that measures 8ft x 8ft.
    what size table can I buy?

    1. David Schroeder says:

      The two sizes we would recommend are a 42″, round or square, or a 36″W x 54″L. These two sizes would allow 4 chairs at the table but leave enough room for chairs to be pushed into and pulled out of the table. For example, on a 42″ you would be left with 27″ on both sides of the table. This works with our rule for chairs where we recommend 18″ to 24″ inches from the edge of the table to the back of the chair. This gives plenty of room to accommodate someone getting out of the chair and leaves room behind it for walkway space or just in general away from the wall.

  9. Denise Stoll says:

    I am inquiring about a rectangular table that could seat 12-14 (with leaves). 2 at each end and 5 on the sides. Our dining room is 15×15. Like the rustic mahogany stain. Do you have pictures to look at?

    1. David Schroeder says:

      Most of our trestle style tables can accommodate the size you are looking for. We’d recommend doing a 48″ wide by 72″ long as your starting size with 4-12″ leaves. This would allow for 2 chairs on the ends and 5 in the center. Feel free to look through our different styles. Prices are online and you can fill out your options when looking into a certain piece. If you need any extra help, use the form on our contact us page for more 1-on-1 help.

  10. Michelle says:

    Hi, I have a space that is 12′ x 18′. I would really love to have a round table, that could extend to an oval with the leaves. What is the maximum size I could fit? I am not sure how much room to leave for chairs between the table and the walls.

    Also, do your leaves have the table edge on them as well? Thanks!

    1. David Schroeder says:

      You can fit a few different sizes in the space you have. The big question is how many chairs/people you are looking to sit around the table. For example you could do a 48″ round and get 2-12″ leaves so it goes from sitting 4 people to 6-8 people. This would put the table to a 48″W x 72″L leaving plenty of room for walkway space. Let us know on how many you are trying to sit around the table and we can better help from there. As for our leaves, the leaves do come with the same edge that you picked out for the table.

  11. Richard says:

    I am Making a 12’ table how many pedestals do I need.

    1. David Schroeder says:

      We personally are not builders so it is tough for us to say. Given our experience working with our Amish builders we would suggest at least 2 to 3 pedestals. This would also depend on the size of your table top.

  12. Christina says:

    I am looking at the 42×60 oval table, I have existing chairs that are 20 inches wide. Is it possibly to fit 6 people comfortably? This is for a kitchen table. Thank you!

    1. David Schroeder says:

      It technically is possible to have chairs that size positioned around a table like that. Our opinion though is it wouldn’t be comfortable due to the lack of table space and having to push the chairs closer in order to use the table top. We’d advise a size close to at least a 66″ wide or even better yet a 72″ wide table.

  13. Sandy says:

    I’m looking for a round table with a single pedestal that will seat 6 comfortably. If I get a 54″ table with 2, 12 inch leaves, will it sit 10.
    Thank you!

    1. David Schroeder says:

      A 54″ round table will sit 4 people comfortable. It can accommodate 6 people prior to leaves but it is a tight fit. With 2-12″ leaves added you will be looking at about 8 people. Our rule of thumb is whatever our comfortable size is assume you can squeeze 2 more people at it. There are other variables to consider like the size of the chair. The smaller the chair you could more than likely get 10 people around the 54″ with 2-12″ leaves comfortably. This would be possible but depending on a few things it might not be a very comfortable setting. You can view all of our tables available in a 54″ round here.

  14. srd says:

    We have a 12ft by 13ft dining room. I would like to sit 8 people on this table. What size should I looking for? I prefer rectangle shape over round.

    1. David Schroeder says:

      If you are considering a rectangle shaped table, we recommend something along the lines of 42″W x 60″L with 2-12″ leaves. This would be sitting about 8 at max and 4 to start. If you are looking for 8 at all times you would want something around 42″W x 84″L. This would leave about 3 feet per side from the edge of the table to your wall. You can also consider a 42″W x 72″L which will seat 6 to start and add a 12″ leaf to allow 8 at the table.

  15. MommaJan says:

    I have a 14′ x 13′ dining room and currently able to comfortably seat 8 at a rectangular 77″ x 42″ table with legs on the 4 corners. We can easily add 2 more seats with a card table due to expanding the end seat into the entrance hallway and others able to get by to other seating. Would like to be able to possibly seat 10-12 at one table with no outer legs. What would you recommend? Thanks!

    1. David says:

      Be sure to check out our trestle style and double pedestal style tables. These types of tables are in the vein of what you’re looking for.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *