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Calculators / Layout

How many stools fit at your island?

Measure the stretch you'll sit at, the overhang and the room behind it. You'll get a seat count, the stool height to buy, and a check on knees and traffic.

These are example numbers. Put in yours.

Your counter

in

Just the stretch with knee room under it. Skip the part over a dishwasher or end panel.

Counter height
in

Counter edge back to the cabinet or panel underneath.

Room behind the stools

in

Counter edge to the wall or counter behind the stools.

Does anyone walk behind

Seats fit

4 seats, 24 to 26 in counter stools

4 fit at 24 in each, with room to get around them.

Seats
43 at 28 in
Seat height
24 to 26 in
Overhang
15 inneed 15 in
Behind
44 inneed 44 in
See counter height stools on Amazon

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seats = 96 in ÷ 24 in = 4, rounded down

seat height = 36 in counter - 10 to 12 in leg room = 24 to 26 in

knee space = 15 in, need 15 in at 36 in high

behind = 44 in, need 44 in to walk past

Support

Stone past about 10 in of overhang usually needs steel brackets or corbels. Ask your fabricator what they'll warranty.

See countertop support brackets on Amazon
Elbow room

Wide stools, arms or swivels want 28 to 30 in each. At 28 in you'd fit 3.

Stool size

Look for a seat 24 to 26 in off the floor. That leaves 10 to 12 in for your legs under the counter.

How we work it out

NKBA gives every seated person 24 in of counter. We divide and round down.

seats = seating length ÷ 24 in

Stools should leave 10 to 14 in between the seat and the underside of the counter. Here is what that means by height.

36 in counter → 24 to 26 in stool

42 in bar → 28 to 30 in stool

30 in table → 18 to 19 in chair

Knees need room under the top. NKBA wants 15 in of overhang at a 36 in counter, 12 in at a 42 in bar and 18 in at a 30 in table. Less than that and we say no.

Then the room behind the stools, counter edge to the wall. 32 in if nobody passes, 36 in to edge past, 44 in to walk past. Under 32 in is a no. Under what your traffic needs, it works, but it's tight.

Where the numbers come from

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