Conference Table Sizes: How to Choose the Right Table for Your Meeting Room
Short answer: Allow about 600 to 750 mm of table edge for each person and at least 900 mm of clear space between the table edge and the wall on all sides. On that basis, a 6-seater table is about 1,800 x 900 mm, an 8-seater about 2,400 x 1,200 mm, a 10-seater about 3,000 x 1,200 mm and a 12-seater about 3,600 x 1,200 mm. Choose the table from the room size, not the other way round.
The most common meeting-room mistake we see in Pune offices is a table that is too big for the room. It looks impressive on installation day and then nobody can get to the far chairs without everyone standing up. The numbers below prevent that.
Conference table size chart
| Seats | Typical table size (L x W) | Minimum room size (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1,200 x 900 mm, or 1,000 to 1,200 mm round | 3.0 x 2.7 m (10 x 9 ft) |
| 6 | 1,800 x 900 mm | 3.6 x 2.7 m (12 x 9 ft) |
| 8 | 2,400 x 1,200 mm | 4.2 x 3.0 m (14 x 10 ft) |
| 10 | 3,000 x 1,200 mm | 4.8 x 3.0 m (16 x 10 ft) |
| 12 | 3,600 x 1,200 mm | 5.4 x 3.0 m (18 x 10 ft) |
| 14 to 16 | 4,200 to 4,800 x 1,350 mm | 6.0 to 6.6 x 3.3 m (20 to 22 x 11 ft) |
| 18 to 20 | 5,400 to 6,000 x 1,500 mm | 7.2 to 7.8 x 3.6 m (24 to 26 x 12 ft) |
Room sizes above assume about 900 mm clearance all round. Table height is normally 750 mm.
How do you calculate the right size for your room?
- Measure the clear length and width of the room.
- Subtract 1,800 mm from each (900 mm clearance on both sides). For a comfortable room where people can walk behind seated colleagues, subtract 2,400 mm instead.
- What remains is the largest table the room should take.
- Divide the usable edge length by 600 to 750 mm to get the seat count.
Example: a room of 4.5 x 3.3 m. Subtracting 1,800 mm gives 2,700 x 1,500 mm. A 2,400 x 1,200 mm table fits well and seats eight.
Remember the extras that also need space: the door swing, a display screen and its viewing distance, and a credenza for the coffee machine or video equipment.
Which table shape should you choose?
| Shape | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangular | Most meeting rooms; efficient seating | People at the far end sit far from the screen |
| Boat-shaped | Larger boardrooms | Wider in the middle, so everyone can see each other |
| Round | Small discussion rooms for 4 to 6 | Equal seating; inefficient above six seats |
| Oval or racetrack | Client-facing rooms | Softer look, no sharp corners in tight rooms |
| U-shape or modular | Training and presentations | Needs a larger room; can be rearranged |
| Tapered (wider at the screen end) | Video-call rooms | Every face is visible to the camera |
How should power and data be planned?
A meeting table without power is a table full of trailing chargers. Plan these at the design stage:
- Table power boxes: flip-up or pop-up units with power sockets, USB charging and HDMI. As a rule of thumb, one box for every four to six seats.
- Wire management: a cable trough under the top and a hollow leg or riser to take cables to the floor box.
- Floor box position: under the table, decided before flooring is laid.
- Display and camera: on the short wall, with the table running lengthwise from it.
The right sequence for these decisions is covered in our office fit-out guide.
Which material and finish work best?
- Laminate on board: practical, scratch resistant and economical; wide choice of wood grains and plain colours.
- Veneer: natural wood surface with a polished finish; suited to boardrooms; needs more care.
- Back-painted glass inlay or stone look: a premium touch for client-facing rooms.
Long tables are usually made in two or more sections so they can be carried in a lift and joined on site. The top should be thick enough, or supported well enough, not to sag between legs. Board options are compared in our post on the best material for office furniture.
How many meeting rooms does an office need?
Most meetings involve two to four people. Instead of one large boardroom, many offices are better served by one room for 8 to 10 and one or two small rooms for four. Size the big room for your largest regular meeting, not the once-a-year gathering.
Five mistakes to avoid
- Choosing the table before measuring the room
- Forgetting the door swing and the screen wall
- No power in the table
- Bulky panel legs where people’s knees should go
- A one-piece top that cannot be brought up the building
Conference tables made to your room in Pune
We build conference and meeting tables to the room size at our workshop in Dhanori and install them across Pune. See the office furniture range or the commercial furniture page.
Frequently asked questions
What size conference table do I need for 10 people?
About 3,000 x 1,200 mm (roughly 10 x 4 ft), in a room of at least 4.8 x 3.0 m.
How much space should be left around a conference table?
At least 900 mm from the table edge to the wall or any furniture. Around 1,200 mm is more comfortable where people need to walk behind seated colleagues.
What is the standard height of a conference table?
About 750 mm, the same as a standard office desk.
How much table width does each person need?
Around 600 mm is the minimum; 750 mm is comfortable when people use laptops and papers.
Talk to Encore Interiors
Encore Interiors designs, manufactures and installs office furniture from its own workshop in Dhanori, Pune.
Address: Survey No. 19, 3/1, near Shard Lawns, Madhav Nagar, Dhanori, Pune, Maharashtra 411015
Phone: +91 89799 31695, +91 75076 17409
Request a site visit or a quote
