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If your home comes with a dining counter or eat-in kitchen, then you inevitably need to buy a bar stool. This is a comfortable seating option for your kitchen island or bar. While there are so many factors to consider in choosing a bar stool, one of the most important ( especially if you prioritise comfort and convenience) is the height and width of the stool. The stool’s dimensions will determine how comfortable they’ll be and how many of them you can fit into your space. In this guide, we will explore all you need to know about bar stool sizing to ensure you’re buying the right one for your space. 

How To Choose The Right Bar Stool Height 

The bar stool height refers to the measurement of the stool from the floor to the top of the backrest. This does not factor in the height of the seat itself. Bar stools come in different heights depending on the type of backrest it has. The stool can be full back (which is typically the tallest), low back, or backless. Which of these options to go for depends on the style or aesthetics you prefer as well as the comfort of your guests. Full-back bar stools are obviously the most comfortable and might be the ideal option if you intend to use the bar stool often. Other options are great as well, but they typically don’t offer as much support. 

How To Choose The Right Seat Height

An even more important factor to consider in bar stool sizing is the seat height. This refers to the height of the stool from the seat to the ground. Generally, there are four standard seat heights for a bar stool (short, counter height, bar height and extra tall). As a general rule, the bar stool seat should always be between 10 and 12 inches from the bottom of the table or counter. Based on this rule, you can choose a table perfectly suited for your counter height, as highlighted below:  

  • Short stools- short stools typically have their seats between 16 and 23 inches from the ground. This type of stool is best paired with a table height of about 28 to 33 inches. 
  • Counter-height stools - Counters are typically between 35 and 39 inches high. This means a stool seat of about 24 to 27 inches will be the most ideal. These are known as counter-height stools. 
  • Bar height stools - Bar height stools measure between 28 and 33 inches. This makes them ideal for bars, typically with a 41 to 43 inches height range. 
  • Extra tall stools - Your stool is considered extra tall if the seat is between 34 and 40 inches from the ground. For proper allowance, this type of stool is best paired with a 44 to 47-inch table.

Choosing The Right Bar Stool Width

Another important bar stool sizing criterion is the width. While this does not exactly impact the stool’s comfort, it determines how many bar stools you can fit around your counter. The typical bar stool widths are 15, 17 and 21 inches. A general rule of thumb is to leave at least 6 inches of space between the stools if the seats are about 16 to 18 inches wide. However, for chairs with wide seats (up to 18 inches or more) or arms, you might need to leave more room between them (between 8 to 10 inches). 

This should give you an idea of how many bar stools you will need for your counter or bar. A simple way to determine this is to measure the total length of the counter (in inches) and divide it by 24. So if your counter is 96 inches long, then it can comfortably seat 4 regular-sized bar stools with enough space between them.