The clearance numbers, with the wording they come from
All four clearance choices in the calculator come from the National Kitchen & Bath Association. They are planning guidelines for kitchens and eating areas. They are not a building code.
| Situation | Space from table edge to wall or obstruction | Where it is printed |
|---|---|---|
| Nobody passes behind a seated diner | 32 in (813 mm) | Kitchen Planning Guideline 8 |
| Someone edges past behind | at least 36 in (914 mm) | Guideline 8a |
| Someone walks past behind | at least 44 in (1118 mm) | Guideline 8b |
| A person in a wheelchair passes behind | minimum 60 in (1524 mm) | Access Standard beside Guideline 8 |
| Width per diner at a 30 in high table | 24 in wide, 18 in deep knee space | Kitchen Planning Guideline 9a |
NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards, PDF at kb.nkba.org, file dated Apr 28, 2022, read Nov 5, 2026. The same document notes that state or local codes may apply.
Second check
The NKBA Northern California chapter's 2021 checklist (PDF, read Nov 5, 2026) prints the same 32 in, 36 in and 44 in figures and the same 24 in by 18 in place size. The 60 in wheelchair figure appears only in the national document. Both come from the same association, so this is a check against a copying error, not an independent second opinion.
How the calculator applies them
The chosen figure is added beyond the table edge on every side that has chairs. With "long sides only", the ends get nothing added, which assumes the table ends can sit close to a wall. With "one long side against a wall", that side gets nothing added and the other three get the full figure.
The 18 in knee depth is not tested. Narrow tops under 36 in wide give two facing diners less than 18 in each.
Where these numbers do not reach
Exits, egress paths, stair landings and any rental or condo rule are outside these guidelines. For anything that touches a building rule, the local building department has the final word.