Choosing a length is the decision most people get stuck on. Below is the guide we use in the workshop — how many people sit comfortably at each size, what the widths and heights actually are, and how to pick a bench that tucks underneath.
How many people fit at each length
- 3ft — 90cm — 4 seats
- 4ft — 120cm — 4 to 6 seats
- 5ft — 150cm — 6 seats
- 6ft — 180cm — 6 to 8 seats
- 7ft — 210cm — 8 seats
- 8ft — 240cm — 8 to 10 seats
- 9ft — 270cm — 10 seats
- 10ft — 300cm — 10 to 12 seats
- 11ft — 330cm — 12 seats
These numbers are approximate. How many people actually fit depends on the width of your chairs and how snugly your guests prefer to sit. Square and round tables seat fewer people for the same overall size.
What size table seats six?
A 5ft (150cm) table seats six. If you want six people with elbow room, or six most of the time and eight at Christmas, go to 6ft (180cm).
What size table seats eight?
A 7ft (210cm) table seats eight comfortably. A 6ft will take eight at a squeeze; an 8ft (240cm) gives everyone room and stretches to ten.
What size table seats ten or twelve?
Ten people need 9ft (270cm), or 8ft if you are happy to sit close. Twelve needs 11ft (330cm). We build to 330cm as standard, and beyond that by arrangement.
Width
Our standard width is 90cm, which suits most rooms and leaves room for serving dishes down the middle. On our farmhouse and plank-top tables, two wider options are available:
- 108cm — one extra plank across the top
- 126cm — two extra planks
Our steel-leg tables — the Smithy, Saddlery, Milliner and Forge — are offered at 90cm and 108cm. The width options for any table are listed on its own page.
One exception: for safe handling, our longest 300cm and 330cm tables are limited to widths between 84cm and 105cm.
Height
Our farmhouse and plank-top tables stand 77.6cm from the floor to the top of the table, with 64.5cm of clear space from the floor to the underside of the skirt — worth checking against the height of your chair arms if you have carvers. Tops are 3 to 3.5cm thick and legs around 9cm square. Our steel-leg tables are built to a comparable height; the exact dimensions are listed on each product page.
Choosing a bench to match
The rule is straightforward: pick a bench 40cm shorter than your table. That is what allows it to tuck between the legs rather than sitting proud of them. On a 6ft (180cm) table, that means a 140cm bench.
Our dining benches are 35cm deep and 45cm high as standard — the Bootroom Bench is a deeper 42cm and taller 50cm. If you are working it out yourself, the clear space between the table legs is the overall length minus 30cm.
Round and square tables
Both seat fewer people than a rectangular table of the same overall size, because the corners do less work. If you are choosing between shapes for a smaller room, a round top is usually easier to move around.
If none of the sizes fit
Every table is built to order, so the standard sizes are a starting point rather than a limit. If your ideal length falls between two of them, order the next size up and give us your exact dimensions in the order notes — there is no extra charge for a shorter length. See bespoke dining tables for how that works.
Ready to choose
Browse the full range of dining tables, the oak dining tables, table and bench sets or benches on their own. To see the finishes on finished pieces, there is the gallery.