How to Buy a Banquet Table

The short answer

The right banquet table comes down to three choices: what it's made of, what shape it is, and how big it is. Choose plastic when light weight and easy cleanup matter most. Choose plywood when you want a solid, classic banquet table that sits well under linens. Choose Steel Skeleton™ when the tables will be set up and broken down every week for years.

Use this table to find your starting point, then read on for the details.

By construction: plastic vs. plywood vs. Steel Skeleton™

All three stand at the standard 30" dining height and fold flat for storage. They differ in weight, strength, finish and how long they hold up under heavy use.

Plastic folding tables

Plastic folding tables have a blow-molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) top on powder-coated steel legs. Our 6 ft x 30" plastic table weighs about 36 lbs, so one person can carry it and set it up.

Why customers like them:

• One person can set them up. Volunteers, staff and small crews move them without help.
• Spills wipe right off. The surface resists stains and moisture, and many casual events use them without a tablecloth.
• They handle outdoor use. They work for backyard parties, picnics and tented events. Bring them indoors afterward; extended sun and weather shorten their life.
• Fold-in-half models travel easily. Our 8 ft fold-in-half table folds to about 50" long and fits in an SUV.
• They cost the least per seat. Schools, churches and community centers can buy more tables for the same budget.

If you also want the extra strength of a steel frame, our 60" and 72" Steel Skeleton™ plastic rounds are rated for 1,000 lbs.

Plywood banquet tables

Plywood banquet tables are the classic hotel and banquet-hall table. They have a heavy-duty plywood top, steel folding legs and a protective edge. Choose a metal C-channel or E-channel edge for heavy rental use, or a vinyl edge for a softer look.

Why customers like them:

• They feel solid. The extra weight keeps the table steady when guests lean on it or when it holds a full buffet.
• Linens hang better. A flat, rigid top gives tablecloths and skirting a clean line.
• They come in more sizes than any other type. Widths run from 18" seminar tables to 48" wide dining tables, plus rounds from 36" to 72", squares, half-rounds and serpentines.
• Worn parts can be replaced. Swap out legs, edges and hardware with banquet table parts instead of replacing the whole table.
• The wood is sustainably sourced. Chivari uses farmed wood, not old-growth trees.

Steel Skeleton™ plywood tables (Chivari exclusive)

Steel Skeleton™ tables add a reinforced steel frame under the plywood top. The result is a 1,000 lb weight rating, compared with 440–770 lbs for comparable standard tables. The 8 ft Steel Skeleton™ weighs about 62 lbs, only about 2 lbs more than our standard 8 ft plywood table.

Why customers like them:

• They outlast standard tables in busy fleets. The frame takes the stress of weekly loading, stacking and setup that warps and loosens standard tables.
• The tops stay flat. On our 72" Steel Skeleton™ round, the top is bolted to the frame with lock nuts and washers rather than screws. Two bottom runners help prevent warping and let the tables stack.
• They carry heavy loads. They hold up under chafing dishes, beverage service, AV gear and displays.
• The extra durability is nearly weightless. The frame adds about 2 lbs, so crews handle them like standard tables.

Steel Skeleton™ comes in 6 ft and 8 ft rectangles in 18", 30" and 48" widths, a 5 ft x 30" rectangle, 60" and 72" rounds, and a 7 ft serpentine. For catering kitchens there are also counter-height (36") Steel Skeleton™ tables with stainless steel tops.

By shape: which layout fits your event

Shape decides how guests interact and how many tables fit in the room. Most venues stock two shapes: rounds for dinners, rectangles for everything else.

Round tables

Rounds (plastic or plywood) are the standard for weddings, galas and seated dinners. Everyone at the table can see and talk to everyone else. A room full of rounds also looks finished as soon as linens go on.

Why customers like them: conversation flows, centerpieces sit in the middle where every guest sees them, and servers can reach every seat. The 60" round is the most popular size because it seats 8 comfortably and fits most ballrooms. The 72" round seats 10–12, so a large guest list needs fewer tables, linens and centerpieces.

Rectangle tables

Rectangles are the most versatile banquet table. In 30" width they handle dining, buffets, registration, vendor booths and head tables. They can also be pushed end to end for long family-style rows.

Why customers like them: one table type covers almost every job. They also pack tighter in storage and on a truck than rounds.

• 18" seminar width: for classrooms, training and conferences, with guests seated on one side facing the front.
• 30" standard width: dining for 6–10 guests, plus buffets and displays.
• 36"–48" extra-wide: room for family-style platters, centerpieces and full place settings on both sides. Customers like the 8 ft x 40" and 8 ft x 48" for long-table dinners.

Square tables

Square tables (48", 60" and 72") seat guests evenly on all four sides. Planners use them for a modern look that matches rectangle settings. Squares also push together to make larger islands.

Why customers like them: they look current, they suit restaurants and smaller receptions, and every guest has an equal spot.

Serpentine and half-round tables

Serpentine tables are curved segments that form S-curves, circles, U-shapes and long winding buffets. Half-rounds cap the ends of rectangles or sit against a wall. Our serpentine layout guide shows the common configurations.

Why customers like them: a curved buffet line moves guests faster and looks more inviting than a straight one, and the layouts look custom without custom furniture.

Cocktail and high-top tables

Cocktail tables (24"–36" tops, standing height) aren't for seated dining. They keep guests mingling during receptions and cocktail hours. Pair them with your dining tables, or read how cocktail tables shape a reception.

By size: banquet table dimensions and how many chairs each seats

Every table below is 30" tall, the standard dining height. "Comfortable" allows about 24" of table edge per guest, enough room to eat without bumping elbows. "Snug" works for buffets, casual meals and short programs.

Round banquet tables

Rectangle banquet tables

An 8 ft table seats 8 comfortably: three guests per side and one at each end. Add a fourth guest per side and it seats 10. A 6 ft table seats 6 the same way, or 8 snug.

Square and specialty tables

Three things that change the count

• Chair width. These counts assume chairs about 16"–18" wide, like Chiavari chairs and folding chairs. Wider chairs, such as padded banquet chairs, arm chairs or cross-backs, usually cost one seat per table.
• Place settings and centerpieces. Chargers, multiple glasses and tall centerpieces take room. Plan on comfortable counts for plated dinners.
• Room spacing. Leave about 5 ft between the edges of round tables so guests can push back their chairs and servers can pass. Our pro table and seating guide covers room layout in more detail.

The best banquet table for each situation

Not sure? Mix materials

Many venues buy plywood or Steel Skeleton™ rounds for dinners and plastic rectangles for buffets, bars and back-of-house work. Each table goes where it does best, and the budget goes further than an all-premium order. To compare the two materials over a full ownership cycle, read wood vs. plastic folding tables: weight, cost and lifespan.

Buying tips before you order

1. Count seats, then add about 10%. Extra tables cover gift, cake, DJ and registration tables, plus last-minute guests.
2. Standardize on two or three sizes. Fewer sizes mean fewer linen sizes to buy, faster setup and easier storage. Most venues run 60" rounds and 8 ft x 30" rectangles.
3. Plan storage and transport with the tables. Table carts move tables in stacks and protect the edges. To plan truck loads, see how many chairs and tables fit in a box truck.
4. Order linens to match. Use the tablecloth columns above, then shop round tablecloths, rectangle tablecloths and table skirts.
5. Think about outdoor setups. Anti-sink table feet keep legs from sinking into grass and sand.
6. Keep spare parts on hand. Replacement legs and hardware from banquet table parts keep tables in service longer. See how table repairs extend table life.
7. Buy tables and chairs together. Table and chair packages match seat counts to table sizes.

Frequently asked questions

Find your tables

Shop the full banquet and folding table collection, or go straight to Steel Skeleton™, plastic or plywood tables. For a large order or a mix of sizes, request a quote and our team will build the package with you. Financing is available, and our full lineup is in the digital catalog.