Dining Chair Buying Guide: Height, Width, Spacing and Fabric
A comfortable dining chair has a seat about 45 to 48 cm (18 to 19 in) high, leaving 25 to 30 cm between the seat and the tabletop. Allow about 60 cm of table edge per person and 90 cm behind each chair to pull it out.
Key takeaways
- Seat height: about 45 to 48 cm (18 to 19 in) for a standard 73 to 76 cm table.
- Leave 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) between the seat and the underside of the tabletop.
- Allow about 60 cm (24 in) of table edge per person.
- Keep about 90 cm (36 in) behind each chair so people can pull it out and sit down.
- Choose easy-care fabric or a wipeable finish for daily family meals.
How do you choose dining chairs?
Start with the seat height: about 45 to 48 cm (18 to 19 in) for a standard table, leaving 25 to 30 cm between the seat and the tabletop. Then check the width, allowing about 60 cm of table edge per person, and the space behind, about 90 cm to pull a chair out. Finally, choose a fabric or finish that suits how often, and how messily, you eat at the table.
Dining chair size chart
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Table height | 73 to 76 cm | 29 to 30 in |
| Chair seat height | 45 to 48 cm | 18 to 19 in |
| Seat to tabletop | 25 to 30 cm | 10 to 12 in |
| Chair width (armless) | About 45 to 55 cm | About 18 to 22 in |
| Seat depth | About 40 to 50 cm | About 16 to 20 in |
| Table edge per person | About 60 cm | About 24 in |
| Space behind each chair | About 90 cm | About 36 in |
How many chairs fit your table?
| Table | Length or diameter | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Round | 90 to 100 cm (36 to 40 in) | 4 |
| Round | 120 cm (48 in) | 4 to 6 |
| Rectangular | 120 cm (48 in) | 4 |
| Rectangular | 150 to 180 cm (60 to 72 in) | 6 |
| Rectangular | 200 to 240 cm (78 to 96 in) | 8 |
| Rectangular | 270 cm and up (106 in and up) | 10 |
Wider chairs, armchairs and table legs at the corners all reduce these numbers, so measure your chairs and the space between the table legs before you buy.
What makes a dining chair comfortable?
- A seat deep enough to support your thighs, without the front edge pressing behind your knees.
- A back that supports you when you lean back between courses; a slight backward tilt helps.
- Padding on the seat for long meals; upholstered backs add comfort too.
- Arms lower than the table apron, so an armchair slides in.
- The right weight: heavy enough to feel solid, light enough to pull out easily.
The best test is to sit on the chair at a table of your height for a few minutes, as you would at dinner.
Which material is best for dining chairs?
| Material | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Performance or tightly woven fabric | Soft and comfortable; many clean easily | Check the cleaning code |
| Velvet and velvet-look | Rich colour; luxurious feel | Shows pressure marks and crumbs |
| Bouclé and textured weaves | Hides small marks; cosy | Loops can catch on rings or claws |
| Faux leather or vinyl | Wipes clean; good with children | Can feel warm; may crack over time |
| Wood | Very durable; easy to wipe | Hard without a seat cushion |
| Metal or plastic | Light, easy to clean | Can feel cold; less cushioning |
For upholstered chairs, the cleaning code matters: our fabric cleaning guide explains the W, S, WS and X codes and how to treat common stains.
Which dining chairs suit families?
- Choose wipeable or easy-clean fabrics, or chairs with washable covers.
- Go darker or patterned to hide marks between cleans.
- Avoid very light, textured fabric at the seats children use.
- Pick stable chairs that do not tip easily when a child climbs on.
Should you add host chairs?
Host chairs are different chairs, often upholstered armchairs, placed at each end of the table. They make the table look finished and give two especially comfortable seats. Our taupe shell-back chair can play this role at a relaxed, lounge-style table: it measures 90 x 90 x 80 cm, with a tufted shell back and gold legs, so it suits the ends of a larger table with room around it. Compare its seat height with your table in our showroom before you buy. Our guide to mixing dining chairs shows how to pair host chairs with side chairs.
What size rug goes under a dining table?
A dining rug should reach 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 in) past the table on every side, so the chairs stay on the rug when someone pulls them out. Our navy 200 x 300 cm rug suits a table of about 140 x 80 cm, and our red 250 x 350 cm rug suits a table for six to eight. A low pile lets chairs slide easily, and a pattern hides crumbs. See our rug size guide and rug cleaning guide.
Shop the look
See our chairs and rugs in Hamilton
Sit in our shell-back chair and see our rugs at Home Centre Green, 110 Lancing Dr, Unit 2, Hamilton, ON L8W 3A1, with free parking outside. Bring your table's measurements.
We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. We are closed on Sundays. Call or WhatsApp us on (905) 253-0202, or send us a message.
Frequently asked questions
What height should a dining chair be?
For a standard dining table about 73 to 76 cm (29 to 30 in) high, choose a chair with a seat about 45 to 48 cm (18 to 19 in) high. That leaves 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) between the seat and the tabletop, which gives room for your legs without making the table feel too high.
How many chairs fit around my table?
Allow about 60 cm (24 in) of table edge for each person. A 120 cm table seats four, a 150 to 180 cm table seats six, and a 200 to 240 cm table seats eight. Round tables of about 90 to 100 cm seat four, and 120 cm seats four to six. Wide chairs need more space.
How much space do you need behind a dining chair?
Aim for about 90 cm (36 in) between the edge of the table and the wall or the next piece of furniture, so people can pull a chair out and sit down. Where people need to walk behind seated diners, allow more, ideally 105 to 120 cm.
Are upholstered dining chairs practical?
Yes, if you choose the fabric well. Tightly woven or performance fabrics with a W or WS cleaning code are easiest to clean, and darker or patterned fabrics hide marks. Blot spills straight away. With very young children, a wipeable seat or washable covers may be easier.
Can I use armchairs at a dining table?
Yes, often as host chairs at each end. Check that the arms are lower than the table apron so the chair slides in, and that the chair is not wider than the end of the table. Lounge-style chairs work best at a relaxed table with plenty of space around it.
Home Centre Green Design Team
The team behind our Hamilton showroom. We help customers choose Turkish-made sofas, beds and carpets every day, and we write these guides to answer the questions we hear most in store.
