How many chairs should I hire per guest?

Hire one chair per guest plus a small buffer (typically 3–5%) for spares and last-minute changes.

How many people fit on a 1.8m round table?

A 1.8m round table typically seats 10 comfortably (up to 12 if tight, depending on chair size and place settings).

How much extra space should I allow for a bar, buffet and dance floor?

Allow dedicated zones: a bar/service area (~10m²), a buffet/servery (~12m²) and a dance floor (commonly 16–36m²). Add a circulation buffer so aisles and service flow stay comfortable.

Table & Chair Capacity Guide (NZ)

Plan tables, chairs, and key layout zones (bar, buffet and dance floor). Includes an optional fit check for marquees or halls.

Open Planner Marquee Size Guide

Fast tips

Don’t max table capacity if you’re adding bar/buffet/dance floor.
Keep a main aisle ~1.0–1.2m so serving and guest flow works.
Add 3–5% spare chairs (especially weddings/corporate).

Choosing tables (not just “how many”)

Round tables (weddings)

Great for conversation and a classic look. Plan wider circulation because chairs sit all around the table.

Long/trestle tables (rustic, festivals, private dining)

Efficient for capacity and creates strong visual lines. Works well with shared platters and a relaxed vibe.

Corporate events

If guests are seated for long periods, comfort matters more than maximum capacity. Leave clear walkways to screens/stage and avoid tight chair spacing.

Typical “comfortable” seating

1.2m round: 6 (max 8)
1.5m round: 8 (max 10)
1.8m round: 10 (max 12)
1.8m trestle: 6 (max 8)
2.4m trestle: 8 (max 10)
Square café: 4

How we calculate (and the fit check)

Tables = guests ÷ ideal seats per table (rounded up).
Chairs = guests + buffer (3–5% recommended).
Estimated floor area = table footprint + chair clearance + extras (bar/buffet/dance) + circulation buffer.
Fit check uses 90% of the entered space as “usable” (we subtract 10% as dead space for entrances, walls, stage edges, etc.).
Always confirm on-site: doors, pillars, service access, emergency egress, and venue rules.

Table & Chair Planner

Generic outputs designed for sharing and embedding.

Guests

Table type

Ideal guests per table

Spare chairs buffer

Layout comfort

Extras (space allowances)

Bar / service area (+10m²)

Buffet / servery (+12m²)

Dance floor

If you add zones, reduce seats/table or increase space to keep flow comfortable.

Aisles & circulation buffer

0%15%30%

Adds breathing room for aisles, styling and service access.

Check fit against a space (marquee or hall)

Marquee size

Custom hall size

Marquee

Width (m)

Length (m)

Fit check uses 90% of the space as usable (subtracts 10% dead space for entrances/walls/edges). This is still an estimate—confirm aisles, exits, service access, and venue constraints.

Result: Enter details and click Calculate.

Assumptions & notes

“Comfortable vs tight” changes chair clearance around tables (tight fits more, but feels cramped faster).
Extras: bar (+10m²), buffet (+12m²), dance floor (0/16/25/36m²).
Fit check subtracts 10% dead space from the entered marquee/hall area.

Embed this planner on your site

Embed our Table & Chair Planner

Free to embed with attribution. Great for venues, planners and event blogs.

Option A — iframe

<iframe src="https://www.silverfernmarquees.co.nz/widgets/table-chair" width="100%" height="820" style="border:0;max-width:820px"></iframe>

Option B — JS embed (auto height)

<div id="sf-table-chair"></div>
<script async src="https://www.silverfernmarquees.co.nz/static/widgets/table-chair.js" data-target="sf-table-chair"></script>