Console Table Dimensions: Common Width, Height and Depth

Console table dimensions are typically 30 to 72 inches long with depth from 12 to 24 inches being most common. The most standard console table size is a rectangular table 36-48 inches wide and 12-18 inches deep. Console table height ranges from 28 to 32 inches.

Round console tables range from 18-36 inches in diameter, and square console tables are 18-36 inches square. Some geometric console tables are available up to 36 inches wide.

This console table guide includes dimensions for length, depth (sometimes called width) and height. Handy charts allow you to see your options at a glance. There are tips for choosing the right size console table for each location such as a hallway and rooms of various sizes, and whether the table will be used to display pictures, provide storage or double as a serving sideboard. These tips will allow you to select the ideal console table length and width for your needs.  

How Long are Console Tables?

Console table length is 30 inches to 72 inches and sometimes, though rarely, longer. In feet, console tables are 2.5 to 6 feet long.

The length of a console table is determined by its placement and the amount of room available. For example, there might be more room in a spacious living room than in an entryway to your home. And its length should also correspond to the length of any furniture piece it is paired with such as a sofa, loveseat or easy chair.

Tip: Extra-long console tables are available from some manufacturers but are difficult to find or must be custom ordered.

How Long Should a Console Table Be?

A console table should be 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the sofa it is placed behind when used as a sofa table. This is also a good principle when the table is used beneath a TV or a large painting – it should be 1/2 to 2/3 the length of anything hanging above it.  

When used against a wall, the length of the console table is determined by the size of the space and what it is used for. For example, if the wall it will stand against is 72 inches (6 feet), the console table should be 36 inches (3 feet, which is 1/2 of 72) to 48 inches (4 feet, which is 2/3 of 72).

Finally, a console table used to display many objects such as pictures, decor or knick knacks might need to be longer than one used only for a single lamp or to place the day’s mail.

Understanding Console Table Dimensions

Console table measurements start with length. This refers to the long side of the table. Of course, if the table is round or square, the length and width will be the same.

Width is also called depth. It refers to the short side of a rectangular, oval or half-moon console table. On product pages, you will see either term, width or depth, referring to the short side of the table.

Console table height is the measurements from the tabletop to the floor.

Tip: Check the product page for console tables you are considering. Most have a section on Weights & Dimensions or similar heading where you can find the overall dimensions written something like this:

29.5''H X 15''D X 60”L where “H” is height, “D” is depth (the short side), and “L” is length (the long side). The dimensions might be written in a different order, so use the letters to understand what each measurement is defining.

What Shapes Do Console Tables Come In?

Console tables are available in rectangular, round, square, oval, half-moon, triangular, and geometric shapes.

Shape plays a role in console table length too. Rectangular tables are the longest while square, round and other shape tables are shorter. This is because longer tables are also wider and tend to stick out quite far if they’re large.  

Here are the available console table shapes and the most common lengths. 

How Wide are Console Tables?

The width of console tables ranges from 12 to 48 inches. The width of a console table is more commonly known as the depth of the table – the short side or the side from front to back. Very shallow console tables, less than 12 inches wide, are available, but they are a tip-over threat.

Shape is a major factor in how wide a console table is. This is the measurement from front to back. Long tables that are rectangular, oval or half-moon are typically shallower than round or square console tables and those with other geometric shapes.

How Wide are Round Console Tables?

Round console tables range from 18-36 inches wide. This measurement is also known as the table’s diameter – the measurement from edge to edge through the center of the tabletop.

How Deep Should a Console Table Be In a Hallway?

The proper depth of a console table is determined by where it is located and how it is used. For example, a console table in a narrow hallway should be shallow – 12-18 inches. In a large, open area or when used next to an upholstered chair, a round or square console table can be wider, such as 24 to 36 inches.

A good tip for console table depth is that the table shouldn’t impede traffic flow around furniture or through a room or hallway. Typically 30-36 inches of clearance is recommended.

The best depth of tables for small items is 12-18 inches. For buffet or storage use, 18-24 inches deep is ideal, and if the table doubles as a desk, then 18-30 inches works well.

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How Tall are Console Tables?

Console tables are 28 to 32 inches tall. The most common or standard height is around 30 inches.

Where the table is used indicates how tall it should be. For example, if the console table is placed behind a sofa, the height of the table should be the same or slightly lower than the back of the sofa – the table should not be higher than the back of the sofa.

Tip: Don’t forget to measure the height of the sofa or couch back before you select your console table.

In a hall or entryway, a table from 28-32 inches usually works well. Anywhere the table will be used for serving food or beverages, then a taller table between 30 and 32 inches is preferred.

What is the Difference Between a Console Table and an Entryway Table?

The main difference between a console table and an entryway table is the location where it is used. And where the table is used affects the best size for the table.

Entryway tables are a type of console table that is used in an entryway or home foyer. Because of room size constraints, these tables are often shallow, which means that they are narrow from front to back. Console table is a broader term for a table that can be used against a wall, behind a sofa or couch, or between two chairs or a chair and a sofa.

What Factors Determine the Right Console Table Size for Your Needs?

Where the table is placed, how it is used and the layout of the room or space are the key factors in deciding the best console table size for you.

• Location: The best console table size for an entryway is a smaller table. Console table depth for small spaces should be 12 to 18 inches so that the table doesn’t get in the way and people aren’t bumping into it.

• In a large, uncluttered room, the table should have more depth to provide visual balance and needed storage. Round and square console tables from 18 to 36 inches work very well between two easy chairs, for example.

• When used as a sofa table, there are two useful tips. First, the length of the console table should be about 2/3 the length of the couch it is behind, though any length from 1/2 to 3/4 the length of the sofa can work as long as there is room to get around the table. Secondly, the height of the console table should be the same or slightly lower than the height of the back of the sofa.

• When placed against a wall, the table should be at least 1/2 as long as the available wall space, and up to 3/4 of the length works. Make sure the table creates balance with the wall and surrounding furniture. It must be long enough to appear substantial but not so long or bulky that it overwhelms the space.

• Room layout: Round and oval console tables enhance the look of an open floor plan. Rectangular and square tables work well in clearly defined spaces, since their straight lines run parallel with walls. Half-moon tables give a softer, welcoming visual in entryways and open spaces.

• How the table is used: If you need storage in the table, then a deeper table of 18 to 30 inches is a good choice. If the table is used for serving, select a taller table 30-32 inches tall. Deeper tables are useful for serving also, and they function well if you plan to use the table as a workspace. Slimmer 12-16 inch console tables are ideal for supporting decor, knick knacks, plants and similar small items.