Make everyday dining and get-togethers comfy with the perfect table and chair height
Choosing the correct dining table height and dining chair height is important for family gatherings and entertaining guests.
Standard dining room tables range from 28–30 inches from the floor to the table.
Counter height tables range from 34–36 inches from the floor to the tabletop.
Bar height tables are taller at 40–42 inches from the floor to the tabletop but struggle to accommodate children.
Subtract 10 inches from the table’s height to find the perfect chair height.
If you’re looking for fantastic dining room and kitchen table ideas, you’ll quickly realize just how many different dining room tables and chairs are out there. Not only do these essential pieces of furniture come in different shapes, colors, and designs, but they also vary in height. The following guide will help you decide which table and chair heights are best for you, your family, and your guests.
Traditional dining tables are available in various heights, as do alternative dining table designs. Choosing the best table height depends primarily on what you’ll do with it and how many people you plan on entertaining at once.
Standard dining tables feature heights ranging from 28 to 30 inches from floor to the tabletop, making them a great option for both children and adults. Additionally, standard dining tables offer the most style options, with a multitude of shapes (e.g. round vs. rectangular dining tables), colors, and seating arrangements available. Many standard dining room tables allow many guests to sit at once, especially if they extend out to a larger size.
These standard-sized tables are also a great match for a wide variety of chairs, supporting armed chairs, armless chairs, upholstered designs, and non-upholstered designs, among others. There is a reason, after all, that you see this type of table in most dining rooms.
Counter height tables are taller than standard dining room tables, ranging from 34 to 36 inches from the floor to the tabletop. This increased height makes them level with countertops—thus the name—and great for food prep, staging, or pre-party snacking. Additionally, the increased height offers a similar experience whether guests are sitting or standing. Young children might struggle with the added few inches, but you can always purchase and install a few counter height stools to solve the problem.
As for adult-sized chairs, make sure you look for “counter height” models built for these unique counter tables. They extend 24 to 26 inches from the floor to the seat. If you can’t find the right chairs for your counter height table, an interior designer can help you find a stylish option to fit your setup.
Bar height tables, otherwise known as pub tables, are extremely tall, at 40 to 42 inches from the floor to the tabletop. They’re great for creating an informal and conversational atmosphere, as people sit, stand, or move around at will. In other words, these bar height tables are for those who don’t view dinnertime as a sit-down event.
These tables don’t do well with kids, as even counter stools struggle to accommodate the added height. For adults, choose chairs that are 28 to 30 inches from the floor to the seat, though seating is basically optional for pub tables.
Everyone’s preferences are different, so there are many chair sizes out there to accommodate them. Understanding table chair heights will help you make a decision. Dining chair height directly correlates to table height, and the most important thing to remember is that chairs should sit comfortably underneath the dining table with plenty of room leftover.
Most dining chairs intended for standard dining tables are 18 to 23 inches high from the floor to the seat. How do you ensure that a dining chair fits your table? Measure the height of your table and subtract about 10 inches to allow for space between the seat and the tabletop.
This provides plenty of space for average-sized adults while allowing the chair to slide underneath the table when not in use. If you opt for dining chairs with arms, make sure the tops of the arms don’t brush or bump into the bottom of the tabletop.
Height is not the only important metric involving dining chairs. Width also matters, especially if you are lining up multiple chairs along the table. Allow 2 inches of space between each chair and make sure one chair fits comfortably at either head of the table.
Chair backs vary more in height, but these differences matter more for aesthetics than useability. Chair back height is 32 to 34 inches from the floor to the top of the chair.
Counter stools and bar stools are generally taller than standard dining table chairs to accommodate the counter table or bar. To find the correct stool height for your counter table, kitchen island table, or bar, follow the same procedure described above. Take the height of your counter table or bar and subtract 10 inches. The ideal stool height is generally 24 to 26 inches from the floor to the stool seat.
