How many guests fit at a 36" round? Will a 30" x 48" top seat four? This chart answers those questions for the square, rectangular and round table sizes restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels and clubs specify most. Use it to size table tops, count covers for a new dining room, or sanity-check a floor plan before it goes to your designer.
Free printable table seating guide (PDF)
One page of top-down diagrams for square, rectangular and round tables, sized in inches. Print it for a planning meeting or send it to your designer with the floor plan.
Download the PDFQuick answer: seats per table size
- 2 guests: 24" round, 24" x 24" or 30" x 30" square, 24" x 30" rectangle
- 4 guests: 36" or 42" round, 36" x 36" square, 30" x 42" or 30" x 48" rectangle
- 6 guests: 48" round, 30" x 60" or 30" x 72" rectangle
- 8 guests: 60" round, 30" x 96" rectangle
- 8–10 guests: 36" x 96" rectangle
These are comfortable planning figures, not maximums. The real fit depends on chair width, whether the chairs have arms, the table base and how tightly the room is meant to seat.
Square tables
Squares are the most flexible top in a dining room: they seat two or four on their own and push together for larger parties.
| Top size | Seats | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 24" x 24" | 2 | Cafés, counters, tight two-tops |
| 30" x 30" | 2 | Standard restaurant two-top |
| 36" x 36" | 2–4 | Roomy two-top or a compact four-top |
| 42" x 42" | 4–6 | Generous four-top with room for shared plates |
| 48" x 48" | 4–6 | Large four-top or a small group |
Rectangular tables
Rectangles make the most of wall runs, banquettes and long rooms. Depth matters as much as length: 24"-deep tops suit banquettes and single-sided seating, 30" is the usual dining depth, and 36" gives guests facing each other more room and suits communal tables.
| Top size | Seats | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 24" x 30" | 2 | Banquette lines, deuces along a wall |
| 30" x 42" | 4 | Compact four-top |
| 30" x 48" | 4 | Standard four-top |
| 30" x 60" | 6 | Six-top, family tables |
| 30" x 72" | 6 | Roomy six-top |
| 30" x 96" | 8 | Group and communal seating |
| 36" x 48" | 4–6 | Four-top with room to spare |
| 36" x 60" | 6–8 | Larger parties |
| 36" x 72" | 6–8 | Larger parties, private dining |
| 36" x 96" | 8–10 | Communal and banquet tables |
Where a range is shown, the higher number assumes guests at the ends of the table.
Round tables
Rounds are sociable and easy to walk around, but they use floor space less efficiently than squares and rectangles. Most rooms use 24" to 36" rounds for deuces and four-tops, and 48" to 60" rounds for larger parties and banquets.
| Diameter | Seats | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 24" round | 2 | Cafés, bistros, bar-height high-tops |
| 30" round | 3 | Small cafés, lounges, patios |
| 36" round | 4 | Standard four-top |
| 42" round | 4 | Roomier four-top |
| 48" round | 6 | Family and group dining |
| 60" round | 8 | Large parties, banquets, private dining |
How much table edge does each guest need?
- Plan on about 24" to 30" per guest. Use the lower end for armless side chairs and quick-turn cafés, and the upper end for fine dining and long meals.
- Arm chairs and lounge-style chairs need more. Check the overall width on the product page and leave a few inches between chairs. Arm chairs also need to clear the apron if they are meant to tuck in.
- The base decides the knee room. A base that is too small makes the top tip; one that is too large catches feet and chair legs. Our table base sizing guide matches a base to every top size.
- The room decides the count. Aisles, service stations and accessible seating all take space before the tables do. See how much space per seat and ADA seating.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit at a 36-inch round table?
Four, comfortably. A 42" round also seats four, with more room for plates and elbows.
How many people can sit at a 48-inch round table?
Six. For eight guests, step up to a 60" round.
How many people fit at a 30 x 48 table?
Four, two on each long side.
What size table seats six?
A 48" round, or a 30" x 60" or 30" x 72" rectangle. A 36" x 60" seats six to eight.
What size table seats eight?
A 60" round or a 30" x 96" rectangle. A 36" x 96" seats eight to ten.
Related guides
Table base sizing · How much space per seat · Commercial restaurant tables · Table top materials compared
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