Free tool · Time and space
How many people fit in your space?
Measure the space, subtract the dance floor, stage, or bar, and choose how it will be used: dinner, cocktail reception, row seating ceremony, or workshop. The calculator gives you planning capacity across three comfort levels and how many tables you need.
- No account required
- Three comfort levels
- Not an authorized legal capacity
Preloaded examplean 18 × 12 m hall (216 m²) with 60 m² of occupied zones. That leaves 156 m² free: 104 people fit at standard density for dinner with a dance floor (83 spacious, 122 tight). For 100 guests, you need 10 tables of 10. Change the values to use your own data.
This tool requires JavaScript to calculate using your data. Without JavaScript, you can read the worked example on the right and the method below; nothing is sent to any server.
How many people fit
| Level | m² per person | People | m² for 100 | Do they fit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spacious | 1.88 | 83 | 188 | No, 32 m² short |
| Standard | 1.50 | 104 | 150 | Yes |
| Tight | 1.28 | 122 | 127 | Yes |
Method: free space = length × width − occupied zones. People = free space ÷ (m² per person × factor: spacious 1.25, standard 1, tight 0.85), rounded down. The m² per person for each layout are editable planning assumptions, not a standard. Actual exits, accessibility needs, and furniture may reduce capacity.
How to use this tool
- Enter the length and width of the usable space in meters.
- Add the areas that take up space (dance floor, stage, bar, buffet) with their square meters.
- Choose the layout, adjust the m² per person if needed, and compare it with your guest count.
A worked example
An 18 × 12 m hall has 216 m². If the dance floor (24 m²), stage (12), bar (10), and buffet (14) take up 60 m², that leaves 156 m². For a dinner with round tables and a dance floor, a reference of 1.5 m² per person is used: 156 ÷ 1.5 = 104 people. At a spacious level (1.875 m²), 83 fit; at a tight level (1.275 m²), 122 fit. With 100 guests, standard density works, but with little breathing room.
Tables are calculated separately: 100 ÷ 10 seats per table = 10 tables.
Method, assumptions, and limitations
Usable space = length × width − total occupied zones. Capacity = usable space ÷ (m² per person × comfort factor) rounded down. The factors are 1.25 (spacious), 1 (standard), and 0.85 (tight). The m² per person values for each layout are editable planning references: dinner with round tables and dance floor 1.5; without dance floor 1.2; standing cocktail reception 0.8; auditorium in rows 0.6; workshop 1.4.
Keep in mind
- This is not the authorized legal capacity. Permitted occupancy is set by the venue owner and the relevant authorities; always verify it.
- Columns, stairs, exits, accessible paths, and furniture reduce actual usable capacity.
- An approximate overview is no substitute for a scaled floor plan or an in-person site visit.
Privacy: everything happens in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored, with no account or email needed. Downloaded files are generated directly on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is this number the venue's official capacity?
No. It is a planning estimate based on space per person. Authorized occupancy limits are determined by the venue and the appropriate authorities.
What does m² per person mean?
It is the average space each guest occupies, including their chair and the clearance around them. It varies widely between a seated dinner and a standing cocktail reception.
Why are there three comfort levels?
Because an event can feel roomy, standard, or very tight. This lets you decide how much breathing room you want before finalizing your guest list.
Does it count tables and chairs?
The m² per person already accounts for typical furniture for each setup. It also calculates the required tables based on the seats per table you enter.
Are my measurements saved?
No. Everything is calculated right in your browser, and nothing is stored or transmitted.