What size dining table for 6 people?
150 × 90 cm 59 × 35 in · room at least 3.32 × 2.72 m
For 6 people, choose a rectangular dining table 150 × 90 cm (59 × 35 in), or a round one 135 cm across. With 91 cm (36 in) behind the chairs, the room must be at least 3.32 × 2.72 m (10 ft 11 in × 8 ft 11 in).
That is the smallest table at which everyone has elbow room: a place each along the two long sides, and one at each end. Shops sell longer tables for 6 too, and the extra length is welcome if serving dishes stay on the table.
The room matters as much as the table. A table that seats everyone but leaves no way round it means someone stands up every time another person wants to leave. If your room is smaller than the figure above, look at a round table or a bench against the wall.
Worked out for 6 people at a rectangular table in a UK stock size, with 91 cm (36 in) from the table's edge to each wall, enough for someone to edge past a seated diner. Change the numbers
The working
- 6 people.
- Seats = 60 cm per diner on the long sides, plus one at each end when the table is at least 90 cm wide.
- Least room = table + 2 × 91 cm each way.
The rules, and their sources
Table edge per diner
A rule designers use: give each diner at least 60 cm of table edge (24 in). The NKBA asks for a 610 mm (24 in) wide place at a 30 in table.
A rule designers use Sources: IKEA Switzerland, How much space per person at a dining table (checked 31 October 2026); NKBA, Kitchen Planning Guidelines, Guideline 9 (checked 31 October 2026); furniture.co.uk (Amy, 14 Mar 2026), Dining table size guide (checked 31 October 2026).
A diner at each end
Our rule: a table at least 90 cm wide seats one diner at each end, and the end diners take about 10 cm of each corner from the long sides. IKEA says 40 cm of edge is enough at an end.
A rule designers use Source: IKEA Switzerland, How much space per person at a dining table (checked 31 October 2026).
Space behind the chairs
The NKBA's guidelines: 813 mm (32 in) from the table edge to the wall when nobody passes behind a seated diner, 914 mm (36 in) for someone to edge past, 1118 mm (44 in) to walk past. 75 cm is the least for a chair to pull out.
An industry guideline Sources: NKBA, Kitchen Planning Guidelines, Guideline 8: traffic clearance at seating (checked 31 October 2026); furniture.co.uk (Amy, 29 May 2026), Round dining table sizes (checked 31 October 2026); IKEA Indonesia, Ideal dining table height (checked 31 October 2026).
UK stock dining table sizes
UK shops sell rectangular tables from 120 × 80 cm (four) to 260 × 100 cm (ten), round tables 90–180 cm across and ovals from 150 × 90 to 220 × 100 cm.
Shop sizes Sources: furniture.co.uk (Amy, 14 Mar 2026), Dining table size guide (checked 31 October 2026); furniture.co.uk (Amy, 29 May 2026), Round dining table sizes (checked 31 October 2026); Castlery UK, Round dining tables (checked 31 October 2026).
Other numbers of people
The smallest stock rectangular table that seats each number in comfort, and the least room that leaves 91 cm (36 in) behind every chair.
| To seat | Table | Least room |
|---|---|---|
| 4 people | 90 × 90 cm35 × 35 in | 2.72 × 2.72 m8 ft 11 in × 8 ft 11 in |
| 6 people this page | 150 × 90 cm59 × 35 in | 3.32 × 2.72 m10 ft 11 in × 8 ft 11 in |
| 8 people | 200 × 100 cm79 × 39 in | 3.82 × 2.82 m12 ft 6 in × 9 ft 3 in |
| 10 people | 260 × 100 cm102 × 39 in | 4.42 × 2.82 m14 ft 6 in × 9 ft 3 in |
Change the numbers
Your sizes will differ. The dining table size calculator opens with these numbers filled in: change any of them and the answer, the working and the drawing follow.
Editorial notes
Worked out by the Snuug team on 12 November 2026 with the same code as the dining table size calculator, so the two cannot disagree. Every rule cites its source, with the date we last checked it. A rule designers use is a convention, not a study.