How Much Space is Needed Between Tables?

How much space do you need between tables? Illustrations on suggested minimum spacing between tables for banquet and restaurant table layouts.

Table Spacing FAQS

Minimum Space Between Rows of Rectangle Tables

The picture to the right illustrates the minimum spacing needed for rows of tables when a service aisle is not needed. 52" from table to table. 18" is allowed for each chair, and 16" is the minimum in between chairs.

Spacing Rectangle Tables Incorporating a Service Aisle

For the rows you would like to incorporate a service aisle, the space needed in between rows is 66". This is 2 x 18" for the chairs, and 30" for the service aisle. The picture to the right illustrates this.

Diagonal Restaurant Layout with Square Tables

For diagonal style square restaurant table setup, you should leave a minimum of 24" in between corners of the tables. The picture to the right illustrates this.

Space Between the Wall

You should allow a minimum of 48" between the wall, and the tables along the wall. 18" from the table to the back of the seat, and 30" from the back of the seat to the wall.

Space Between Large Round Tables

For banquet style setup using large round tables you should leave a space of 60" minimum. This is 2 x 18" for the seats, and 24" room in between the chairs. The picture to the right illustrates this.

Incorporating Large Rounds into Your Restaurant Layout

If you need to incorporate large round restaurant tables into your layout, its best to place them in the corner like the illustration to the right. This saves the most space.

A study done by Cornell University found that what customers see as adequate space differs from what restaurateurs see as such. A well-known fact is that tightly spaced restaurant tables reduce the amount of time customers spend in the restaurant without reducing the spending, thus increasing that day’s turnover rate. However, certain customers will refrain from returning to the restaurant in the future because of the tightly spaced tables.

The study then asked 1,000 Americans about their preferences for table spacing and on its effect on future behaviors. This spacing is something that many restaurateurs “play” with in order to maximize seating capacity without always realizing that it has potential to deter patrons from returning to their venue.

What many restaurant owners fail to consider is that their patrons are often looking for more than just food. What they are after is an entire dining experience and that includes not only a good meal but also a pleasant atmosphere in which people are able to talk and spend some quality time with friends, family or business associates. That means that some privacy is expected and in order for that to happen, adequate space between tables is required (as shown in the image below).