Meeting Room Capacity Calculator

Meeting Room Capacity depends on the room dimensions and the seating arrangement. Different layouts require different amounts of space per person.

Space per person by arrangement:

Theater style (rows of chairs, no tables):

• 6-8 square feet per person (0.56-0.74 m²)
• Best for presentations and lectures
• Highest capacity of any arrangement

Classroom style (rows of tables with chairs behind):

• 14-18 square feet per person (1.3-1.67 m²)
• Good for training and note-taking sessions
• About half the capacity of theater style

Boardroom style (one large table, chairs around all sides):

• 20-25 square feet per person (1.86-2.32 m²)
• Best for small group discussions and decision-making
• Typically maxes out at 20-30 people

U-shape (tables in a U configuration):

• 25-30 square feet per person (2.32-2.79 m²)
• Good for interactive workshops and presentations
• Open end faces presenter/screen

Banquet rounds (round tables of 8-10):

• 12-15 square feet per person (1.11-1.39 m²)
• Common for dining events and workshops
• Requires space between tables for movement

Cocktail/standing (no seating):

• 5-6 square feet per person (0.46-0.56 m²)
• Highest capacity after theater style
• Common for networking events and receptions

Important considerations:

• Subtract 10-15% of total floor area for AV equipment, podium, and walkways
• Fire codes typically require minimum aisle widths of 3 feet (0.9 m)
• ADA accessibility requires wheelchair-accessible paths at least 36 inches (91 cm) wide
• Always check local fire code for maximum occupancy limits

The calculation: Capacity = (Room Area × 0.85) / Space Per Person

The 0.85 factor accounts for unusable space near walls, equipment areas, and walkways.