Rectangular Dining Tables for 8: easy-to-follow measurements and a round-up of my favorite tables for eight guests. My general rule of thumb for determining the number of chairs for a dining table is to allow 24” x 15” per place setting, including the flatware, glassware, and a plate. The elbow room matters more than the width of the chair. Remember to factor in the placement of table legs when determining a dining table's seating capacity. The tabletop's dimensions alone may not accurately represent the available seating space if the legs are positioned awkwardly or at an extreme angle.