Facility planning
Distanced Occupancy Planner
Calculate capacity limits that honor distancing requirements (e.g., 6 feet / 2 meters) for classrooms, offices, or event spaces. Adjust buffer values to include hallway width, furniture, or circulation space.
E.g., 2 meters ≈ 6 feet.
Optional extra spacing for aisles, furniture, or ventilation equipment.
For comparison; optional. Leave blank if unknown.
Room area
216.0 m²
Personal safety area: 16.62 m²/person
Maximum occupants (distanced)
12
Rounded down to maintain spacing
Recommended occupancy
12
Significant reduction requiredConsider staggered schedules, hybrid participation, or larger venues to maintain distancing.
Reduction from baseline: 80.0%
How to Use This Calculator
Measure usable floor area
Exclude fixed furniture and storage zones from the length × width measurements.
Apply distancing rules and buffers
Use guidance (e.g., 2 meters) and add buffers for aisles, one-way traffic, or HEPA equipment.
Plan staggered schedules
If capacity drops significantly, split cohorts, implement hybrid attendance, or secure larger venues.
Formula
Room area = Length × Width
Personal space required = π × (Distancing + Buffer)²
Max occupants = Floor(Room area ÷ Personal space)
Adjust buffer to reserve space for circulation, signage, or equipment.
Full Description
Social distancing reduces the risk of respiratory droplet transmission by keeping individuals apart. Facilities can use spatial planning to determine safe occupancies and layout adjustments. Combining distancing with masks, ventilation, and vaccination maximizes protection.
This calculator assumes circular personal space. Real-world layouts may use grids (square spacing) or seating charts. Always verify compliance with local fire codes and health regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert feet to meters?
1 foot ≈ 0.3048 meters. Multiply feet by 0.3048 to enter metric values.
Can I change from circular to square spacing?
Yes. Modify the personal space formula to (distancing × 2 + aisles)² if you prefer grid layouts.
Do partitions change the calculation?
Partitions can reduce droplet spread but do not replace distancing. Use partitions as an add-on safety layer.
What about standing vs seated events?
Standing requires larger buffers for movement. Increase the buffer distance or lower the recommended occupancy for standing events.