How many guests fit at a round table?

A 5ft (150cm) round table comfortably seats 8 guests and a 6ft (180cm) round seats 10. For trestle tables, allow about 60cm (2ft) per person along the length: a 6ft trestle seats 6-8 (3 per side plus ends) and an 8ft trestle 8-10. Squeezing in extra chairs makes it cramped and uncomfortable during a meal.

How much space does each table need?

For a seated dinner allow about 1.5 sqm per guest once you include chair pull-back and at least a 1.5m service aisle between table rows, as UK event-hire firms recommend. That works out at roughly 12 sqm for a 5ft round of 8, 15 sqm for a 6ft round of 10, 9 sqm for a 6ft trestle and 11.5 sqm for an 8ft trestle. It is wise to add a 15-20% buffer when shortlisting venues.

Should I use round or long tables?

Round tables are best for conversation as everyone can see each other. Long trestle tables create a communal, banquet feel and pack guests in along their length (about 60cm per person). Mixing both can work well for larger events.

Do I need a top table?

A top table is traditional for weddings and formal dinners, seating the hosts and VIPs at the front. Enter the number of top table guests to exclude them from the round table calculation.

PartyCalcs

Table Layout Calculator — Tables & Seating Plan

Plan table sizes, quantities, and room layout for your event based on guest numbers.

Number of Guests

Total number of people attending the seated meal

Table TypeRound tables suit conversation; trestle tables are more space-efficient. Capacity shown is per table.

Top Table Guests (optional)

Guests seated at the top/head table (hosts and VIPs) — excluded from the round-table seating count.

How We Calculate This

This calculator works out how many tables you need based on guest numbers and table type.

The formula

Tables needed = (guests - top table guests) / seats per table

Floor space is estimated by allowing about 1.5 sqm per seated guest — enough for the table footprint, chair pull-back and a 1.5m service aisle between rows (Expo Hire / NACE guidance). That gives roughly 12 sqm for a 5ft round of 8, 15 sqm for a 6ft round of 10, 9 sqm for a 6ft trestle and 11.5 sqm for an 8ft trestle. Choosing a wider service aisle in the advanced options increases the floor space proportionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

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