Choosing the right size dining table requires balancing available space with seating needs. Too small, and family dinners feel cramped. Too large, and your dining room becomes difficult to navigate. This reference guide provides standard dimensions for common table configurations, helping you understand exactly how many people different table sizes accommodate and how much space each configuration requires.
The Fundamentals of Table Sizing
Before examining specific dimensions, understand the basic principles that determine comfortable table sizing. These guidelines apply regardless of table shape.
Space Per Person
Each seated diner needs approximately 60 centimetres of table edge for comfortable dining. This allows adequate room for a place setting with plate, cutlery, and glassware without encroaching on neighbours. For more formal dining with multiple courses and additional tableware, allow 70 to 75 centimetres per person.
Table Depth for Place Settings
Place settings typically require 35 to 40 centimetres of depth from the table edge. A table seating people on both long sides needs at least 80 centimetres of width to accommodate place settings facing each other with room for shared items in the centre. Narrower tables, while space-efficient, may struggle to hold serving dishes during meals.
Standard dining table height in Australia is approximately 75 centimetres from floor to table top. Counter-height tables sit at approximately 90 centimetres, requiring taller seating. Bar-height tables at 105 to 110 centimetres need bar stools with corresponding seat heights.
Rectangular Table Dimensions
Rectangular tables remain the most popular choice for Australian dining rooms. Their proportions suit most room shapes and provide clear head-of-table positions for hosts.
Common Rectangular Sizes
120cm x 80cm (4 seats): A compact table suitable for small households or breakfast nooks. Seats two people on each long side comfortably. May feel tight for four adults with elaborate place settings.
150cm x 90cm (4-6 seats): Seats four comfortably with room to squeeze in two additional guests at the table ends for special occasions. A versatile size for smaller Australian dining rooms and apartments.
180cm x 90cm (6 seats): The classic family dining table size. Accommodates three people per long side or two per side plus one at each end. Sufficient table width for serving dishes while maintaining comfortable place settings.
200cm x 100cm (6-8 seats): Seats six comfortably with capacity for eight when needed. The extra width provides generous space for platters and shared dishes. Suits rooms that accommodate larger gatherings.
220cm x 100cm (8 seats): A proper eight-seater with four people per long side. Ideal for families who regularly host dinner parties or have larger households.
240cm x 100cm (8-10 seats): Accommodates eight to ten diners depending on chair width. Requires a substantial dining room with adequate clearance around all sides.
When calculating rectangular table seating, count on 60cm per person along the table length. A 180cm table provides 180 divided by 60 equals 3 places per side, totalling 6 to 8 seats including ends.
Round Table Dimensions
Round tables excel at facilitating conversation, as everyone can see and speak to everyone else. They eliminate head-of-table hierarchy and can seat more people in less floor area than rectangular alternatives.
Common Round Sizes
90cm diameter (2-3 seats): A compact bistro-style table suited to small kitchens or as a secondary dining surface. Intimate for two; cosy for three.
110cm diameter (4 seats): The minimum practical size for a round dining table seating four adults. Suitable for everyday meals but may feel small for dinner parties.
120cm diameter (4-5 seats): Comfortably seats four with room for a fifth guest. A popular size for smaller homes and apartments. Provides adequate space for a centrepiece and serving dishes.
135cm diameter (5-6 seats): Accommodates five to six diners comfortably. Begins to approach the size where conversation across the table becomes slightly more difficult.
150cm diameter (6-7 seats): A generous round table seating six easily with capacity for seven. Requires significant floor space but creates a grand dining focal point.
180cm diameter (8-10 seats): A substantial round table suited to large dining rooms or commercial settings. Intimate conversation across the table becomes difficult at this size.
To calculate round table seating, multiply the diameter by pi (3.14) to get the circumference, then divide by 60cm per person. A 120cm table has a circumference of approximately 377cm, divided by 60 equals just over 6 seats, though 4-5 is more comfortable.
Oval Table Dimensions
Oval tables combine the seating capacity of rectangular tables with the softer aesthetic and improved traffic flow of round tables. They work particularly well in rooms where sharp corners might impede movement.
Common Oval Sizes
140cm x 90cm (4-6 seats): A compact oval suitable for small dining rooms. Seats four comfortably with occasional capacity for six.
180cm x 100cm (6 seats): Equivalent to a standard rectangular six-seater but with softer lines and slightly improved passage around the table.
200cm x 110cm (6-8 seats): Comfortable seating for six to eight depending on chair width. The increased width allows generous space for shared dishes.
220cm x 110cm (8 seats): Proper eight-person seating with elegant proportions. Suits formal dining rooms and regular entertaining.
240cm x 120cm (10 seats): A grand oval table requiring substantial room dimensions. Creates an impressive dining setting for larger gatherings.
Square Table Dimensions
Square tables work best for four diners, with each person on one side. Larger square tables become awkward as they require reaching across significant distances to share food or converse with those on adjacent sides.
Common Square Sizes
80cm x 80cm (2-4 seats): A compact square suitable for small spaces or breakfast nooks. Cosy for four adults; two on opposite corners is more comfortable.
90cm x 90cm (4 seats): The standard square dining table for four people. Each person has their own side with adequate space for place settings.
100cm x 100cm (4-6 seats): A more generous square that can accommodate corner seating, potentially fitting six for special occasions though four remains most comfortable.
120cm x 120cm (4-8 seats): A larger square that can seat two per side for eight total, though the distance across the table begins to affect intimate conversation.
Extendable Table Considerations
Extendable tables offer flexibility, providing compact everyday dimensions with capacity to expand for gatherings. When evaluating extendable tables, consider both configurations.
Check the extension mechanism operates smoothly and that the table remains stable when extended. Self-storing mechanisms keep leaves within the table, eliminating storage concerns. Separate leaves require dedicated storage space and must be retrieved when needed.
Common extension configurations add 40 to 60 centimetres per leaf, with some tables accommodating multiple leaves. A 160cm table extending to 220cm, for example, grows from seating six to seating eight or more.
Choosing Your Size
Consider both everyday use and occasional entertaining when selecting your table size. If you typically dine as four but host eight several times yearly, an extendable table or slightly larger fixed table makes sense. Buying solely for everyday use means crowded holiday gatherings; buying for maximum capacity creates daily excess.
Measure your room carefully, allowing 90 centimetres minimum clearance around the table for chair movement. Calculate the maximum table dimensions your space can accommodate, then choose a configuration that meets your seating needs within those constraints. When in doubt, err slightly smaller; an appropriately sized table creates a more pleasant dining experience than one that overwhelms its space.