How Many Stools Fit At My Island & Space Between Bar Stools?

Between 2 and 4 stools per side fit at most islands, which typically range in length from 4 feet to 8 feet.

The proper amount of space between bar stools is 6-10 inches, which gives people enough elbow room and room to get onto or off the stool without bumping into others.

This island seating guide for stools will assist you in determining how many stools fit at an island with information on bar stool width ranges and proper space between bar stools. Common mistakes are discussed, so that you can avoid them when making bar stool spacing decisions. 

How Wide Are Bar Stools?

Bar stools and kitchen island stools are 15 inches to 26 inches wide when all styles and options are considered. The most common width for residential bar stools is 18-22 inches wide.

Once you know the width of your bar stools or the ones you plan to buy and how much space should be between stools, you can do the math to answer the question – How many stools fit at my island?

Here are general categories showing bar stool width and common uses:

  • Narrow bar stools: 15-17 inches wide. These are the best stools for small kitchen islands, and they are also a popular size when the stools are used primarily by children.

  • Medium width bar stools: 18-22 inches wide. These are the most common bar stools for home use. This bar stool width fits most adults, and because they are popular, you have a wide range of styles, designs and colors to choose from.

  • Wide bar stools: 23-26 inches wide. Wide or oversize bar stools are also popular due to their stylish appearance and for accommodating larger bodies. Many of your options in this width range are upholstered for extra comfort.  

What Bar Stool Spacing is Right?

The right amount of space between bar stools is 6-10 inches. This amount of empty space gives those using the stools enough elbow room for bar seating and for getting onto or off the stool without bumping those next to you. If the stools swivel or spin, as many do, it’s better to allow for 8-10 inches to give each person space to turn 180 degrees away from the bar or counter for conversation, watching an event, or getting down from the stool.

There’s another way of measuring bar stool spacing – from the center of one stool to the center of the next stool. The recommended total space for bar stools is 26-32 inches from center to center, also called on center. The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t fully consider the width of the stools, which is a major factor in how much space there is between stools.

As a result, it is better to ensure that there are 6 to 10 inches of space between stools regardless of their width. Add 6-10 inches to their width to know how much total space you need for each stool. For example, for 18-inch wide stools, you’ll need 24 to 28 inches of space per stool.

How Many Stools Fit At My Kitchen Island?

You can determine how many stools fit at your kitchen island with some basic math. If you have stools already, measure their width.

Decide how much room you want between stools.

  • 6 inches is enough for children and adults of smaller stature.

  • 8 inches is enough for average-size adults.

  • 10 inches is preferred for larger adults - and ideal for spacing of stools that swivel.

Add the stool width and the desired space between them. This gives you the amount of space per stool needed.

Now measure the seating space at the island, and divide it by the needed space per stool.

Tips on spacing: Some interior designers recommend leaving 6 inches of space at each end of the island or breakfast bar. But this isn’t vital unless you anticipate seating large adults at the island. Also, it’s okay if the people sitting in the stools extend a few inches beyond the end of the island unless a wall prohibits this or if using a little bit of space beyond the island will get in the way of people walking through the area.

This chart has common island lengths combined with common stool spacing to show how many stools can fit at your kitchen island. The space per stool includes the width of the stool plus space between the stools, or put differently, the distance from the center of one stool to the center of the next stool.

Seating Capacity per Island Side


22-25 Inches per Stool

26-30 Inches per Stool

31-35 Inches per Stool

4 Foot Island (48 inches)

2

1-2

1

5 Foot Island (60 inches)

2-3

2

1-2

6 Foot Island (72 inches)

3

2-3

2

7 Foot Island (84 inches)

3-4

3

2-3

8 Foot Island (96 inches)

3-4

3

2-3

9 Foot Island (108 inches)

4-5

4

3-4

10 Foot Island (120 inches)

5

4-5

4

12 Foot Island (144 inches)

6-7

6

5-6

If you haven’t purchased stools yet, this chart shows what stool width you’ll need to choose based on the number of stools you want per side.

Tip: If you have an L-shaped island, an island with a corner, then the corner affects island seating arrangements. Leave 18 inches to 24 inches of space in the corner – placing a stool 9 to 12 inches on either side of the corner ensures that people sitting on the stools won’t feel crowded.

Seating Capacity on Island Ends

If the feature is a true island with open space on all sides, then you might be able to put stools on one or both ends. 


22-25 Inches per Stool

26-30 Inches per Stool

31-35 Inches per Stool

2 Feet (24 inches)

1

0 or 1

0 or 1

2.5 Feet (30 inches)

1

1

1

3 Feet (36 inches)

1-2

1

1

3.5 Feet (42 inches)

2

1

1

4 Feet (48 inches)

2

1-2

1

How Many Stools Fit At A 6 Foot Island?

Expect to fit 2 or 3 stools per side of the island depending on their width and the amount of space between them that you want to leave.

How Many Stools Fit At A 7 Foot Island?

You can fit 2-4 stools at a 7 foot island, per side, depending on whether the stools are narrow (3-4 stools), average width (3 stools) or wide (2-3 stools)

How Many Stools Fit At A 8 Foot Island?

2, 3 or 4 stools fit on each side of an 8 foot island. 

How Can I Avoid Common Bar Stool Spacing Mistakes?

Common mistakes when figuring how many stools fit at your island involve stool width and spacing of the stools. Here are potential problems you can easily avoid with proper planning.

Planning an island that is too short for your needs: If you’re in the planning or construction phase of your kitchen project, then double check before it is too late to ensure your island is long enough to accommodate the number of stools you want to place at the island – in other words, the number of people that will be able to eat at the island. Remember to consider stool width plus 6-10 inches between stools to determine how long your island will have to be.

Crowding the stools: If your island is 6 feet, for example, having 2-3 stools on each side will provide comfortable bar seating depending on the width of the stools and the spacing between them. Avoid the temptation to squeeze in an extra stool unless the stools are narrow, such as 15-17 inches wide, and those using them will be children.

Estimating and not measuring carefully: “Eyeballing” your bar stools could lead to thinking fewer stools or more stools will fit than actually do. Measure the island’s length, consider how much space you want between stools, and then you can choose stools with a width that allows you to fit your desired number at the island.

Not factoring household member size: Narrow stools are fine for children and petite, slender adults. And choosing narrow stools might allow you to fit more of them at the island. But if the adults in your household have a large frame, the stools and the spacing might be uncomfortable. On the other hand, if you choose large stools for kids or smaller adults, you might not maximize seating at your island.

How Do I Adjust Spacing For Kids Or Smaller Users?

The best practice for space between stools is to set them 6-10 inches apart. However, if the main users will be children or smaller adults, spacing them slightly closer together might not feel crowded or lead to people bumping into each other.