Workstation Density: Square Feet per Person
Workstation density is the usable office area allocated per person, usually expressed in square feet of carpet area per seat. It includes each person's share of circulation, meeting rooms and support spaces, not just the desk they sit at.
By Dhruv Agarwal · · 1 min read
Why it matters
Density is the number that turns a floor plate into a headcount — and a headcount into a lease decision. Get it wrong and a company either pays for space it cannot use or signs for a floor that cannot hold its team.
How it works in practice
| Density (sq ft carpet / person) | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Below 60 | Very dense — call centres, back offices |
| 60 – 80 | Efficient corporate |
| 80 – 100 | Standard corporate with good support space |
| Above 100 | Premium or cabin-heavy offices |
Common mistakes
- Measuring on chargeable area. Density must use carpet area.
- Counting desks only. Meeting rooms and support space are part of the total.
- Ignoring egress. Denser floors need more exit capacity.
Standards referenced
Occupant load and exits under NBC 2016, Part 4.
Standards referenced
- NBC 2016, Part 4 — Occupant load and means of egress (Bureau of Indian Standards)
Frequently asked
Corporate offices commonly plan somewhere between 60 and 100 sq ft of carpet area per person once meeting rooms, circulation and support areas are included. Dense call centres go lower; premium corporate headquarters go higher.
More people on a floor means a higher occupant load, which increases the required exit width and can affect travel distance and escape provisions under NBC 2016 Part 4.
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