Calculating How Many Tables You Need: A Simple Guide

Table quantities are one of the more common points of confusion when planning an event. Order too few and you're improvising on the day. Order too many and you've paid for tables that crowd the room. These figures give you a reliable starting point.

Dining Tables: Round Table Calculations

• 5ft round (seats 8-10): for 100 guests, order 11-13 tables
• 6ft round (seats 10-12): for 100 guests, order 9-10 tables

Use the lower capacity figure when you have space to spread out, the higher figure when the room is tight. For formal dining with full place settings, allow one seat per 65-70cm of table circumference — this reduces the stated capacity by 1-2 per table.

Dining Tables: Long Table Calculations

• 6ft trestle (seats 8-10): for 100 guests, order 10-13 tables
• 8ft trestle (seats 10-12): for 100 guests, order 9-10 tables

Browse trestle tables and banqueting tables to check available sizes for your date.

Buffet Tables

• 1 x 6ft trestle per 30-40 guests for a standard single-run buffet
• Add a separate table for condiments, bread and serving utensils
• Island layout (accessible from both sides): allow 50% more table length than a wall layout serving the same number of guests

A buffet for 100 guests against a wall needs approximately 3 x 6ft trestles. The same buffet as an island needs 4-5 trestles.

Top Table

• Standard wedding top table: 1 x 8ft trestle seats 8-10 people
• Sweetheart table: 1 x small round or 4ft square table for two

Signing, Cake and Gift Tables

• Signing table: 1 x 4ft table
• Cake table: 1 x 3ft or 4ft round table (round tables display a cake better than rectangular)
• Gift or card table: 1 x 4ft trestle

Bar Tables

• High-volume bar front: 2-3 x 6ft trestle tables end to end; allow at least 3m frontage for a bar serving 100+ guests
• Bar back-of-house: 1 x 8ft trestle for glasses, stock and equipment
• Poseur tables near the bar: 1 poseur table per 15-20 standing guests

Worked Examples

30 Guests

• 4 x 5ft round tables for dining
• 1 x 6ft trestle for buffet
• 1 x 4ft table for cake or gifts

50 Guests

• 6 x 5ft round tables for dining
• 2 x 6ft trestle for buffet
• 1 x 8ft trestle top table

100 Guests

• 11 x 5ft round tables for dining
• 3 x 6ft trestle for buffet
• 1 x 8ft trestle top table
• 2 x poseur tables near bar

200 Guests

• 22 x 5ft round tables for dining
• 6 x 6ft trestle for buffet
• 1-2 top tables (8ft trestle)
• 4-5 x poseur tables

Browse the full range of tables for hire and check availability for your event date.