In short
A 5 × 3 m stand (15 m²) is a shallow stand with a useful frontage. Put the brand on the long wall, one demo or product at one end and a high table at the other. Three metres of depth leaves room for one row of visitors, so everything fixed should sit against the back wall.
Key points
- 5 × 3 m is 15 m², about 161 sq ft (16 × 10 ft).
- Staff: 2; about 5 visitors at once in comfort.
- Meeting space: No closed room; a bar table or two low chairs for short conversations.
- Storage: A 1 × 1 m store with a door, or counter storage.
5 × 3 m in numbers
| 5 × 3 m | |
|---|---|
| Area | 15 m² (about 161 sq ft) |
| Nearest US size | 16 × 10 ft |
| Staff | 2 |
| Visitors at once | About 5, allowing about 1.5 m² of open floor each |
| Meeting space | No closed room; a bar table or two low chairs for short conversations. |
| Storage | A 1 × 1 m store with a door, or counter storage. |
| Shell scheme or space only | Commonly available as shell scheme. |
| Usual build | Shell upgrade or a long modular wall |
What fits on a 5 × 3 m stand
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Counter with storage | 1 |
| Demo table, plinth or bar table | 1 |
| Wall-mounted screen | 1 |
| Stools or low chairs | 2 |
Each piece of furniture removes floor that visitors would stand on. Start with the minimum and add only what serves the stand's objective.
Layout ideas
- Wall and two points: one long graphic with a demo at one end and a high table at the other.
- Slim counter centre: a counter mid-wall with shelves on either side.
- Corner opening: on a corner plot, turn the counter to face the busier aisle.
By number of open sides
| Stand type | How it changes the layout |
|---|---|
| Row (one open side) | The usual type at this size: one front, brand on the back wall. |
| Corner (two open sides) | Two entrances; put the tallest element where the closed walls meet. |
See exhibition stand types for what each type means and how organisers classify them.
Things specific to 5 × 3 m
A frontage of 5 m is more than a visitor needs to read at once, so a single clear message works better than two competing ones.
Fifteen square metres is mostly a wall. Spend on the print and the light, and keep furniture to one counter.
Frequently asked questions
01Can a 5 × 3 m stand hold a meeting table?
A high table for two or three, yes. A seated table for four takes too much of the 3 m depth.
02How many people can staff a 5 × 3 m stand?
2. More staff leave less room for visitors; plan about one staff member per activity point.
03How big is 5 × 3 m in feet?
About 16 × 10 ft: 15 m² is roughly 161 sq ft. Use the organiser's exact dimensions for graphics and drawings.
04Can a 5 × 3 m stand have a meeting room?
No closed room; a bar table or two low chairs for short conversations.
Put it into practice
Design your trade show booth in 3D before you brief the builder
Design a trade show booth in 3D at your exact booth size, from a 10x10 inline to a 20x20 island, with renders and drawings for your builder.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
