Exhibition Stands Sizes: How to Choose the Right Dimensions for an Event

When you’re organising a trade show, corporate event, or business expo, figuring out your exhibition stand size might not sound like the most exciting task — but it can make or break your whole event strategy. Get it right, and your stand becomes a lead magnet. Get it wrong, and you risk being ignored, overcrowded, or just plain forgettable next to competitors who planned smarter.

As one of the UK’s leading event management companies, we’ve been helping everyone from tech giants like Microsoft to ambitious startups master the art of exhibition stand sizes since 2009. And trust us — picking the right footprint isn’t just about what fits. It’s about what works.

So, let’s dive into why exhibition stand dimensions matter more than most people think — and how savvy planners are making the most of every square metre.

Why Do Exhibition Stand Dimensions Matter?

Your exhibition stand dimensions impact everything: how your budget works out, how your brand shows up, how your team functions, and how potential customers experience your space at a live event.

Choosing the right size might not sound like rocket science — but it’s a decision that ripples through your event like crazy. Here’s how:

Visitor Flow & Engagement

A compact 2m x 2m exhibition stand can feel like the perfect spot for high-impact one-on-ones — but try running the same setup in a sprawling 6 x 3 exhibition stand and you’ll be left with empty corners and a flat vibe. Your space needs to guide people, not confuse them.

Budget Reality Check

Bigger stands mean more than higher rental fees. Think extra furniture, bigger graphics and designs, more staff, and higher production costs. We’ve seen companies blow half their marketing budget on floor space alone — leaving pennies for the stuff that actually drives engagement.

Brand Positioning

Your exhibition stand size speaks volumes before you do. A cleverly designed medium-sized setup can outshine a larger stand that’s all shell and no substance. Remember: it’s not just what you’ve got, it’s how you use it.

So, while it might be tempting to just grab the biggest stand your budget allows, the truth is: size alone doesn’t guarantee success — it’s about choosing the right fit for your goals, your audience, and your message.

Exhibition Stands Sizes: What Are the Main Options?

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to exhibition stands sizes. What works for a startup testing the waters won’t cut it for a brand with a product suite and a full sales team.

The most common exhibition stand dimensions?

• 2m x 2m exhibition stand (budget option)

• 3 x 3 exhibition stands (the popular option)

• 6 x 3 exhibition stand (large and popular)

• Corner exhibition stands (for high visibility)

Let’s break them down — no fluff, just facts.

2m x 2m Exhibition Stand (The Budget Option)

Just starting out, budget-conscious, or needing to make a big impact in a small space? This one’s for you.

The 2m x 2m exhibition stand (budget option) is where many businesses begin. When done right, it can deliver serious value. At just 4 square metres, this size forces you to focus, laser-like, on what matters. That means no gimmicks — just your core message, your best product, and your sharpest team members.

Ideal for:

• Startups or SMEs testing the trade show waters
• Service-led businesses with conversation-led sales
• Minimalist setups that cut through the noise

What fits: Think one small table, a pull-up banner or two, and just enough room for face-to-face chats. We’ve helped lean teams use this space to rack up qualified leads — without needing an army or a flashy build.

3m x 3m Exhibition Stands (The Popular Option)

The sweet spot. The crowd-pleaser. The reliable ROI-generator.

3 x 3 exhibition stands give you 9 square metres of flexible, functional space — and they’re a firm favourite across almost every industry. They’re big enough to build something interesting, but small enough to keep things focused and cost-effective.

Why they’re a go-to:

• Room for product demos and private chats
• Easy to staff (3–4 people max)
• Flexible enough for zoned layouts
• Budget-friendly, even for multi-day expos

From property developers to SaaS brands, we’ve not just seen 3 x 3 exhibition stands deliver engagement — they often outperform bigger, messier, less thought out, setups.

6m x 3m Exhibition Stand (Large and Popular)

Looking to steal the show? This is your stage.

At 18 square metres, the 6 x 3 exhibition stand gives you the freedom to think big: multiple zones, immersive demos, comfy meeting spaces, and all the visual impact you can dream up.

Perfect for:

• Bigger brands with varied product offerings
• Businesses expecting steady footfall
• Exhibitors wanting to create a visitor ‘journey’

This linear layout works beautifully for brands that want to walk prospects through their story — from awareness to conversion, all within one powerful space.

Corner Exhibition Stands (For Maximum Visibility)

Want to be seen This is perfection.

Corner exhibition stands offer unique advantages regardless of size. With extra access points that you naturally get from an L-Shape, corner positions naturally draw more attention and foot traffic.

Corner stand benefits:

• Increased visibility from multiple directions
• More creative layouts can be achieved
• Often positioned at natural traffic junctions

Whether you choose a corner 3 x 3 or corner 6 x 3 configuration, the additional exposure can easily justify the upswing in costs.

How Do You Choose the Right Exhibition Stand Size for Your Business?

It’s important to choose exhibition stand size based on your goals, industry expectations, and the budget available to you — and what can be achieved with that budget. Lead generation works really well with more compact 3×3 stands, while brand awareness campaigns usually need a more expansive 6×3 space.

While your total budget will usually dictate plans, selecting the perfect exhibition stand dimensions shouldn’t just be seen as a financial question. It’s also about deciding what will deliver the best results for your specific objectives. 

Start with Your Goals

• Lead Generation Focus: If you’re primarily concerned with collecting contacts and booking follow-up meetings, a well-designed 3 x 3 exhibition stand could outperform bigger spaces.
• Brand Awareness Campaign: Larger 6 x 3 exhibition stands work brilliantly when you need to pack in big visitor numbers and create truly memorable brand experiences. For the storytellers out there, this size could be your ultimate sandbox!
• Product Demonstrations: Consider your product size and demo requirements. Complex machinery or tech demos might need a 6 x 3 space to house extra equipment, while software demos can work perfectly well in 2m x 2m spaces.

Consider Your Industry and Audience

Different sectors have different expectations around exhibition stands sizes. In tech, innovation often trumps size. In manufacturing, substantial space might be expected to demonstrate what your products can do.

We’ve worked across industries from cutting-edge startups to established corporations, and the same principle applies: your stand size should ideally reflect your brand positioning within your specific market.

Budget Realistically

Consider your total exhibition budget in its entirety. Many businesses make the mistake of spending so heavily on venue spaces that they leave insufficient funds for the stand build, graphics, and promotional materials that actually engage visitors.

We’ve seen companies rent impressive 6×3 spaces only to fill them with basic pop-up banners because they’d exhausted their budget on floor rental. On the flipside, businesses that balance space costs with investment in quality design and visitor experience typically see much better results — even from smaller stands.

How do Professional Planners Make the Difference?

Professional exhibition planning can ensure that you squeeze every last drop of potential out of the space available to you. It can also provide consistent project management from end-to-end, and eye-catching, innovative solutions tailored to your specific business objectives. The personal touch that event planners bring often avoids the generic (shorthand for uninspired) approach.

Remember, choosing exhibition stands sizes is only the first step. The real magic reveals itself in how you then use the space to blitz your business objectives.

• The Personal Touch Matters: Unlike larger agencies, where you might get passed between departments, event managers like those at ConnectIn Events provide a dedicated contact from initial consultation through to post-event analysis. This ensures consistency in both understanding your plans and maintaining your vision throughout the process.
• No Copy-and-Pasting: Every business is unique, whether you’re a tech titan launching a new platform or a housing startup showcasing your very first development. The best stand builders in the industry reject one-size-fits-all solutions; treating each project as a unique challenge, and designing experiences that are just right for the size, objectives, and audience of whoever we’re working with.

End-to-End Expertise: Find an experienced planner who excels at everything to do with events. Ideally someone who is just as comfortable with venue-finding and stand design as they are AV installation and post-event teardown. This way, you can avoid mixed messages and coordination headaches, while enjoying the kind of seamless execution that only comes with serious knowhow.

FAQs About Exhibition Stands Sizes

How much does it cost to build an exhibition stand?

Exhibition stand costs vary by size and complexity. A basic 2m x 2m stand might cost around £2,000-£5,000, while a custom 6×3 stand may range from £8,000-£20,000. Remember to balance space rental costs with stand build investment for the best possible results.

How do I make my exhibition stand out?

Focus on clear messaging, engaging visitor experiences, and professional design rather than just size. Throughout the process, keep referring back to your visitor journey (from initial approach to conversion).

How should I layout my exhibition space?

Aim to create distinct zones within your space for a welcome area, product display, meeting space, and storage. In linear 6×3 configurations, guide visitors through a journey. For square layouts (like 3×3), position key elements to draw visitors from the main aisle.

Make Your Exhibition Stand Up and Be Counted

Choosing the right exhibition stand dimensions is absolutely crucial — but it’s still just one piece of the wider puzzle. Real success comes from understanding how to maximise every square metre of your space to achieve your business goals.

Whether you’re considering a budget-friendly 2m x 2m exhibition stand for market testing or a whopping 6 x 3 exhibition stand for major brand impact, ConnectIn Events is here to ensure your investment delivers results.

Our friendly team has been squeezing value out of exhibition budgets across the North West and nationwide since 2009. We know what works, what doesn’t, and how to adapt our most effective strategies to your unique requirements.

Ready to discuss your exhibition plans? 

Contact us today for a quote and discover how the right exhibition stand size, perfectly executed, can help your business to stand out in style.