Conference room size calculator
Pick the number of seats, how much elbow room each person gets and how much space you want behind the chairs. The calculator gives the table size and the smallest room that fits it, in feet and metres.
Meeting room size calculator
Formula: room = (table length + 2 x clearance) by (table width + 2 x clearance). Table width 36 in up to 4 seats, 42 in for 6, 48 in for 8-16, 60 in for 18+. Seats on the long sides only. Runs in your browser.
How the room size is worked out
A meeting room is a table plus a ring of space around it. The calculator uses one simple formula:
- Table length = seats per long side x width per person.
- Table width = 36 in for up to 4 seats, 42 in for 6, 48 in for 8 to 16 and 60 in for 18 or more.
- Room = (table length + 2 x clearance) by (table width + 2 x clearance).
People sit along the two long sides only. You can add a seat at each end in a pinch, but the calculator does not count them.
Choose the right clearance
Clearance is the distance from the table edge to the wall or the nearest object.
| Clearance | What it allows |
|---|---|
| 36 in (0.9 m) | Chairs pull out, but no one can walk behind a seated person. Fine for a small room with one door near the head. |
| 48 in (1.2 m) | Chairs pull out and people can squeeze past. Our default for most rooms. |
| 60 in (1.5 m) | About 24 in for a pushed-back chair plus a 36 in walkway, which matches the 36 in minimum clear width of an accessible route in the ADA 2010 Standards (section 403.5.1). |
If a wheelchair user will join meetings, keep a 30 x 48 in clear floor space at the table (ADA section 305.3) and a table top between 28 and 34 in high (ADA section 902.3).
Room sizes for common headcounts
These use 30 in per person and 48 in clearance. Each row is also a preset in the calculator above.
| Seats | Table | Room | Area | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 people | 60 x 36 in | 13 x 11 ft | 143 sq ft | 4.0 x 3.4 m (13.3 m²) |
| 6 people | 90 x 42 in | 15.5 x 11.5 ft | 178 sq ft | 4.7 x 3.5 m (16.6 m²) |
| 8 people | 120 x 48 in | 18 x 12 ft | 216 sq ft | 5.5 x 3.7 m (20.1 m²) |
| 10 people | 150 x 48 in | 20.5 x 12 ft | 246 sq ft | 6.2 x 3.7 m (22.9 m²) |
| 12 people | 180 x 48 in | 23 x 12 ft | 276 sq ft | 7.0 x 3.7 m (25.6 m²) |
| 16 people | 240 x 48 in | 28 x 12 ft | 336 sq ft | 8.5 x 3.7 m (31.2 m²) |
| 20 people | 300 x 60 in | 33 x 13 ft | 429 sq ft | 10.1 x 4.0 m (39.9 m²) |
Conference room layout styles
- Boardroom. One long table, everyone facing in. Best for discussion and decisions. This is what the calculator sizes.
- U-shape. Tables on three sides, open end facing a screen. Good for training and presentations to 10 to 25 people, but it needs more floor than a boardroom for the same seats.
- Classroom. Rows of narrow tables facing the front. Good for workshops where people write or use laptops.
- Theatre. Rows of chairs, no tables. Seats the most people in the least space, for talks and all-hands meetings.
- Huddle room. A small room for 2 to 4 people, often with a wall screen and a round or short table. Our 4-seat preset fits this.
Small details that change the size
- A screen wall. If people at the far end must see a screen, leave at least the clearance between the table end and the screen wall. Do not put chairs there.
- A credenza or side table. Add its depth to the clearance on that side.
- Doors. A door that swings into the room needs its swing kept clear of chairs.
- Video calls. Cameras work best when no one sits with their back to the lens, so a long, narrow table pointing at the screen suits hybrid meetings.
Meeting rooms are excluded from the UK HSE 11 m³ per person rule (ACOP L24, paragraph 98), and the US has no federal minimum size. Fire codes still set how many people a room may hold and how wide its door must be. Check your local code.
Frequently asked questions
What size conference room do I need for 8 people?
With 30 in per person and 48 in clearance, an 8-seat table is about 120 x 48 in, and the room needs about 18 x 12 ft (216 sq ft).
What is the conference room size for 10 people?
About 20.5 x 12 ft (246 sq ft), using a 150 x 48 in table, 30 in per person and 48 in clearance.
How big should a meeting room for 4 people be?
About 13 x 11 ft (143 sq ft) with a 60 x 36 in table and 48 in clearance. A tight huddle room can be smaller if no one needs to walk behind the chairs.
How much space do you need per person at a conference table?
Allow 24 in (61 cm) per person as a tight minimum and 30 in (76 cm) for comfort. Use 30 in or more if people bring laptops.
How much space should be between a conference table and the wall?
Allow at least 36 in so chairs can pull out, 48 in so people can pass, and about 60 in if you want a walkway that meets the 36 in accessible route width.
What is an average meeting room size?
There is no official average. In our calculator, rooms for 6 to 10 people come out at about 180 to 250 sq ft with standard settings.
