What size marquee do I need for 100 guests?

For 100 seated guests with round tables, you need approximately 150 sqm of guest space. Add a dance floor (20 sqm) and catering area (10-15 sqm), and a 12m x 15m marquee works well. For a standing reception, a 9m x 9m marquee is sufficient.

What are standard marquee widths?

Standard UK marquee widths are 6m (20ft), 9m (30ft), 12m (40ft), and 15m (50ft). Length can be extended in 3m bays. Most hire companies work in these widths because of standard frame and canvas sizes. The 9m width is the most popular for parties of 40-80 guests.

How much space per person in a marquee?

Allow 1.5 sqm per person for seated dining with round tables, 1.2 sqm for long trestle tables, and 0.75 sqm for a standing reception. These figures include space for chairs and movement between tables but not extras like dance floor or bar.

Do I need to add space for a dance floor and bar?

Yes, always add extra space beyond guest seating. A dance floor for 40% of guests needs about 0.5 sqm per dancer. A bar or buffet area needs 10-15 sqm. Entrance lobby or cloakroom areas add another 5-10 sqm. This calculator includes these extras.

What ground conditions do I need for a marquee?

You need flat, level ground. Grass is ideal for staking. Hard surfaces like tarmac or concrete require weighted feet instead of stakes. Check for underground cables and pipes before staking. The ground area needs to be larger than the marquee to allow for guy ropes and access.

PartyCalcs

Marquee Size Calculator — Right Dimensions for Your Event

Calculate the right marquee size based on guests, layout, and extras.

Number of Guests

Total number of people attending

Event TypeSeating style sets the sqm/guest rate: standing 0.75, seated 1.5, mixed 1.3, ceremony 0.9

Dance FloorAdds ~0.5 sqm per dancing guest (assumes 40% dance at once)

Catering AreaAdds 10 sqm for a buffet/bar zone or 15 sqm for a full catering kitchen

Marquee WidthStandard or custom marquee dimensions

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates marquee size based on guest count, event type, and additional space requirements.

Space per guest

Standing: 0.75 sqm per guest
Seated (round tables): 1.5 sqm per guest
Mixed (part seated, part standing): 1.3 sqm per guest
Ceremony (theatre seating): 0.9 sqm per guest

The calculator adds space for dance floor (if needed) and catering area, then recommends standard marquee widths (6m, 9m, 12m, or 15m) with the appropriate length.

These are working figures. UK marquee hirers (Galatent, MarqueeVision, Fletcher) advise leaving 15–30% extra for circulation, service routes, entrances and cloakrooms — so always round up to the next standard width, which the auto best-fit option does for you. Add a kitchen/catering zone and dance floor as separate inputs rather than assuming they are baked into the per-guest rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.