How Much Office Space Does Your Company Need? A Practical Guide by Team Size

One of the first questions when looking for a new office is how much space the company actually needs. A space that is too small can quickly restrict the team, while an office that is too large creates unnecessary costs.

The right size depends on more than the number of employees. Working style, meeting rooms, privacy requirements, shared areas and hybrid work all influence the final result.

How many square metres should you allow per person?

A useful starting point is approximately 8 to 12 m² per person. This should be understood as an overall office-space allowance rather than simply the area occupied by a desk.

A compact layout may work well for a hybrid team, while companies that require private offices, more meeting rooms or a higher level of comfort will need additional space.

Office space for 1 to 5 people

A small team may be comfortable in a private office starting from approximately 15 to 50 m². The exact requirement depends on whether the space only needs workstations or should also provide room for meetings.

Explore offices for 1–5 people

Office space for 6 to 15 people

At this team size, the balance between workstations, storage and at least one meeting room becomes more important. Approximately 50 to 100 m² or more may be appropriate depending on the desired level of comfort.

Explore offices for 6–15 people

Office space for 16 to 30 people

Larger teams require more thoughtful planning. In addition to workstations, companies should consider meeting rooms, informal collaboration areas and spaces for calls or focused work.

A suitable area may start at approximately 100 m² and extend beyond 250 m² depending on the workplace concept.

Explore offices for 16–30 people

30 or more people

With more than 30 employees, office planning is no longer simply about fitting in desks. The workspace becomes a complete company environment that may include several meeting rooms, departments, shared zones, a kitchenette and visitor areas.

Explore offices for 30+ people

Meeting rooms can significantly affect the required area

Every additional meeting room or private room increases the overall space requirement. A ten-person company with several meeting rooms may therefore require a similar floor area to a larger team using a more open layout.

Hybrid work can reduce the number of desks required

If employees are not all in the office every day, a company may not need a dedicated workstation for every person. However, high-quality meeting and collaboration spaces often become more important.

Calculate your office requirement

The Central FIVE office calculator considers team size, workplace standard, meeting rooms, parking requirements and preferred lease term.

Calculate your office space requirement

The result provides a useful starting point. A specific available office can then be assessed according to the way your team works and how the company expects to develop.