How Much Office Space Do I Need for My Team?

How much office space do I need for my team? It sounds like a simple question, but in reality, it depends on what you mean by “ideal”.

For some businesses, ideal means giving everyone plenty of room to spread out and feel comfortable. For others, it means keeping costs as tight as possible. Most are trying to find a balance somewhere in the middle – enough space to keep the team happy, without paying for more than they actually need.

In this guide, we’ll break down what “ideal” really looks like today, how much space you should be thinking about per person, and how to work out what’s right for your team.

What does “ideal office space” actually mean?

“Ideal” is one of those words that sounds clear, but means something completely different depending on who you ask.

For a business owner or finance lead, ideal often means efficiency – not paying for space that isn’t being used.

For employees, ideal usually means comfort – enough room to focus, collaborate, and not feel cramped.

The reality is, the best offices strike a balance. If your team genuinely works together, they should be close enough to collaborate easily, but not so close that it becomes distracting or uncomfortable.

How much office space do I need per person?

Traditionally, there were fairly fixed rules around office space per person. Today, it’s more flexible.

As a general guide:

• 80 to 120ft² per person is considered a comfortable range
• Around 65ft² per person is the absolute minimum, based on fire safety and occupancy considerations

But it’s no longer as simple as picking a number and multiplying it by your team size.

There are a few key factors that now influence how much space you’ll actually need:

• Hybrid working patterns
• Open plan vs private offices
• The type of work your team does
• Expectations around wellbeing and personal space

This is why two companies with the same headcount can need very different amounts of space.

Why the “old rules” don’t always work anymore

A few years ago, office planning was more predictable. Desks were fixed, teams were in five days a week, and layouts were fairly standard.

Now, things have changed.

Some teams are in three days a week. Others rotate desks. Some businesses want more breakout space, while others prioritise desk density.

If you rely purely on outdated sq ft rules, you can easily end up with:

• Too much unused space
• Or not enough room when everyone is in

That’s why a more flexible approach works better when it comes to working out how much office space you need for your team.

A more practical way to work it out

Rather than guessing, it’s worth using a tool that lets you test different scenarios.

If you go to our office space calculator, you can input different space allowances per person and instantly see how your total requirement changes.

This is particularly useful if:

• You’re unsure how often your team will be in the office
• You want to compare cost vs comfort scenarios
• You’re planning for growth

It takes the guesswork out of the process and helps you land on something that actually fits how your business operates.

So, what’s the right answer for your team?

How much office space do I need for my team? There isn’t a single “correct” number – and that’s the honest answer.

For most businesses, somewhere in the 80 to 120ft² per person range is a sensible starting point. From there, you adjust based on how your team works, how often they’re in, and how important space and comfort are to your culture.

If you’re working to a tighter budget, you can go lower – but you need to be confident it won’t impact productivity or morale.

Getting this balance right is what makes an office feel like it works, rather than something you have to put up with.

Ultimately, the goal isn’t just to fit everyone in. It’s to create a space where your team can actually do their best work.