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Restaurant Seating Capacity Calculator

📐 Total Dining Area

Exclude kitchen, restrooms, storage, and service areas

🍽️ Restaurant Type

🪑 Table Seating

Table Type
Quantity
Space Required
Total Seats
60"×60"
0
72"×72"
0
72"×96"
0
96"×96"
0

🛋️ Booth Seating

Booth Type
Quantity
Space Required
Total Seats
48"×60"
0
48"×84"
0
72"×84"
0

🍺 Additional Seating

📊 Results

Space Utilization Dashboard

Used Space
0 sq ft
Available Space
3,000 sq ft
Utilization
0%

Seating Capacity

Total Possible Capacity
200
Current Capacity
0
Space Per Person
- sq ft
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How to Use This Restaurant Seating Capacity Calculator?

This professional calculator helps restaurant owners, designers, and operators determine optimal seating arrangements based on dining area size and restaurant type. Follow these simple steps to maximize your space efficiency while ensuring customer comfort.

Step 1: Enter Total Dining Area

Measure your dining space accurately – Input your total dining area in either square feet or square meters using the dropdown selector. The calculator defaults to 3,000 square feet as a starting point.

Important: Only include actual dining space. Exclude these non-dining areas:

  • Kitchen and prep areas
  • Restrooms and storage rooms
  • Service stations and wait stations
  • Reception/host areas
  • Bar areas (unless you plan to include bar seating in your calculations)

Pro Tip: For irregularly shaped dining rooms, break the space into rectangles and calculate each section separately, then add them together for your total square footage.

Step 2: Select Your Restaurant Type

Choose the service style that matches your concept. Each type has different space requirements per person:

Fine Dining (18-20 sq ft per person / 1.7-1.9 sq m per person)

  • Upscale, leisurely dining experience
  • Larger tables with more personal space
  • Allows for premium service and ambiance

Casual Dining (15-18 sq ft per person / 1.4-1.7 sq m per person)

  • Family-friendly, comfortable atmosphere
  • Balanced space for relaxed dining
  • Most common restaurant format

Fast Casual (12-15 sq ft per person / 1.1-1.4 sq m per person)

  • Quick-service with table seating
  • Efficient space utilization
  • Higher table turnover expected

Counter Service (11-14 sq ft per person / 1.0-1.3 sq m per person)

  • Coffee shops, cafes, quick-bite concepts
  • Maximum space efficiency
  • Includes bar-style and counter seating

Step 3: Configure Your Table Layout

Table Seating Options

The calculator includes industry-standard table dimensions with required chair and aisle space.

Remember: The actual table size is much smaller than the total space required once you account for chairs and comfortable movement.

2-Person Tables (24″ × 24″ / 61 × 61 cm)

  • Table footprint: 4 square feet
  • Total space required: 60″ × 60″ (25 sq ft / 2.3 sq m)
  • Perfect for: Date nights, business meetings, intimate dining

4-Person Tables (36″ × 36″ / 91 × 91 cm)

  • Table footprint: 9 square feet
  • Total space required: 72″ × 72″ (36 sq ft / 3.3 sq m)
  • Perfect for: Small families, double dates, business groups

6-Person Tables (36″ × 60″ / 91 × 152 cm)

  • Table footprint: 15 square feet
  • Total space required: 72″ × 96″ (48 sq ft / 4.5 sq m)
  • Perfect for: Larger families, celebration dinners

8-Person Tables (36″ × 72″ / 91 × 183 cm)

  • Table footprint: 18 square feet
  • Total space required: 96″ × 96″ (64 sq ft / 5.9 sq m)
  • Perfect for: Large groups, special events, communal dining

Booth Seating Options

Booths offer space-efficient seating and are popular for their comfort and privacy. All booth calculations include the required 36″ (91 cm) aisle space for ADA compliance and staff movement.

2-Person Booths (48″ × 24″ / 122 × 61 cm)

  • Total space required: 48″ × 60″ (20 sq ft / 1.9 sq m)
  • Most space-efficient option for couples

4-Person Booths (48″ × 48″ / 122 × 122 cm)

  • Total space required: 48″ × 84″ (28 sq ft / 2.6 sq m)
  • Popular choice for families and small groups

6-Person Booths (72″ × 48″ / 183 × 122 cm)

  • Total space required: 72″ × 84″ (42 sq ft / 3.9 sq m)
  • Great for larger parties and celebrations

Bar Seating

Bar Height Seating

  • Space required: 24″ × 30″ per person (5 sq ft / 0.5 sq m)
  • Most efficient seating option
  • Perfect for solo diners and casual dining

Step 4: Review Your Results

Space Utilization Dashboard

The calculator provides a visual breakdown of your space usage:

  • Used Space: Total square footage occupied by your seating arrangement
  • Available Space: Remaining space for additional seating or circulation
  • Utilization Percentage: How efficiently you’re using your dining area

Seating Capacity Analysis

  • Total Possible Capacity: Maximum recommended seats based on your restaurant type
  • Current Capacity: Actual seats with your current table configuration
  • Space Per Person: Average square footage per guest with your layout

This calculator is designed for planning purposes and provides industry-standard recommendations. Use it to experiment with different layouts, compare seating options, and optimize your dining room configuration before making final decisions.

Remember that the perfect layout balances maximum capacity with customer comfort, operational efficiency, and your restaurant’s unique brand experience.

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Restaurant Seating Capacity Calculator FAQs

Restaurant seating capacity depends on your dining area size and restaurant type. Fine dining requires 18-20 sq ft per person, casual dining needs 15-18 sq ft, fast casual uses 12-15 sq ft, and counter service needs 11-14 sq ft. Measure your total dining space, divide by your space requirement, then plan actual table layout considering aisles, accessibility, and local fire codes.

Industry standard requires 36 inches between tables for main aisles (ADA compliance) and 24 inches for secondary aisles. Each chair needs 18 inches of space around it. A 24" × 24" table actually requires 60" × 60" total space including chairs and access. This ensures guest comfort, staff navigation, safety compliance, and service efficiency throughout the dining room.

Space requirements vary by restaurant type: Fine dining (18-20 sq ft per person) for upscale experiences, casual dining (15-18 sq ft) for family restaurants, fast casual (12-15 sq ft) for quick-service with seating, and counter service (11-14 sq ft) for cafes and coffee shops. Higher space allocations support longer dining times, premium service, and more comfortable guest experiences.

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