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Types of trade show booths
Booth types are set by how many sides open to the aisle. Eight types, with the size, height and line of sight rules most US shows take from the IAEE display guidelines.
By the Exhivo team · Updated 26 October 2026
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The four main types
Booth types by open sides
Inline
One open side, neighbours left, right and behind.
Corner
Two open sides on a row end, more passing traffic.
Peninsula
Three open sides, a back wall on the fourth.
Island
Open on all four sides, the tallest builds.
Solid edge: wall or neighbour. Dashed edge: open to the aisle.
All 8 types
Size and height rules for each booth type
From the IAEE Guidelines for Display Rules and Regulations, 2023 North American Update, which most US shows follow. Your exhibitor manual has the rules for your show.
| Type | Open sides | Typical size | Height | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inline (linear) | 1, the front | Most often 10 × 10 ft | 8 ft back wall | 8 ft only in the rear half; 4 ft from there to the aisle | IAEE |
| Corner | 2, at a row end | Inline size | 8 ft back wall | All inline rules apply | IAEE |
| Perimeter | 1, backs to the hall wall | Inline size | Typically 12 ft back wall | An inline booth on the outside wall | IAEE |
| End-cap | Row end, in a peninsula position | Generally 10 ft deep × 20 ft wide | 8 ft back wall | 4 ft within 5 ft of the two side aisles | IAEE |
| Peninsula | 3 | Usually 20 × 20 ft or larger | Typically 16 to 20 ft | Back wall 4 ft high within 5 ft of each aisle | IAEE |
| Split island | 3, shares a back wall | Peninsula size | Up to the show maximum | Whole space usable, no line of sight limits | IAEE |
| Island | 4 | Not under 400 sq ft | Usually 16 to 20 ft, signs included | Open on every side | IAEE |
| Multi-story (double deck) | Any | Show rules decide | No IAEE limit | Engineer-stamped drawings; a city permit is generally needed | IAEE |
When three or more inline booths are joined, the 4 ft limit applies only within 10 ft of a neighbouring booth (IAEE). Hanging signs are allowed in most peninsula and island booths, typically up to 16 to 20 ft (IAEE). Sizes in detail: trade show booth sizes.
At real shows
How shows apply the rules
- PPAI Expo 2026 follows IAEE: inline and corner booths 8 ft standard (10 ft extended), perimeter 8 ft (16 ft extended), island 16 ft (22 ft extended), and multi-story exhibits only in island booths. PPAI
- AMPP 2026 takes its rules from IAEE and uses line of sight; any tower over 8 ft needs drawings and approval from show management and the venue. AMPP
By how it is built
Custom, modular, portable or rental
Space type is where your booth sits; build type is what stands in it. Any build can go in any space within the height rules.
Modular booths
A kit of frames and panels you can reconfigure for different sizes.
Portable booths
Pop-ups, banners and tension fabric you can carry and set up yourself.
Rental booths
A booth built for the show and taken back after, with no storage or freight between shows.
Sources
Sources for this guide
What each source says, in its own words where we could quote it, with its date. Older research is marked by its year.
| What the source says | Source | Dated |
|---|---|---|
| IAEE's current display rules document is the '2023 North American Update' of the Guidelines for Display Rules and Regulations; IAEE describes it as: "This revised 2023 edition is offered as a resource for exhibition and event organizers." | IAEE | 2023 edition |
| Linear (inline) booth: "Linear Booths, also called 'in-line' booths, are generally arranged in a straight line", "leaving only one side exposed to the aisle." "Linear Booths are most commonly 10ft (3.05m) wide and 10ft (3.05m) deep." "A maximum back wall height limitation of 8ft (2.44m) is specified." | IAEE | 2023 |
| Line-of-sight rule for linear booths: "The maximum height of 8ft (2.44m) is allowed only in the rear half of the booth space, with a 4ft (1.22m) height restriction imposed on all materials in the remaining space forward to the aisle." | IAEE | 2023 |
| When three or more linear booths are combined: "the 4ft (1.22m) height limitation is applied only to that portion of exhibit space which is within 10ft (3.05m) of an adjoining booth." | IAEE | 2019 |
| Corner booth: "A Corner Booth is a Linear Booth at the end of a series of in-line booths with exposure to intersecting aisles on two sides." "All guidelines for Linear Booths apply." | IAEE | 2023 |
| Perimeter booth: "A Perimeter Booth is a Linear Booth that backs to an outside wall of the exhibit facility rather than to another exhibit." "the typical maximum back wall height for Perimeter Booths is 12ft (3.66m)." | IAEE | 2023 |
| End-cap booth: "essentially an in-line (linear) booth placed in the position of a Peninsula or Split Island." "End-cap Booths are generally 10ft (3.05m) deep by 20ft (6.10m) wide." Maximum back wall height is 8ft (2.44m), and "Within 5ft of the two side aisles, the maximum height for any display materials is 4ft." | IAEE | 2023 |
| Peninsula booth: "A Peninsula Booth is exposed to aisles on three sides." "A Peninsula Booth is usually 20ft by 20ft (6.10m by 6.10m) or larger." "the back wall is restricted to 4ft (1.22m) high within 5ft (1.52m) of each aisle". "A typical maximum height range allowance is 16ft to 20ft (4.88m to 6.10m)". | IAEE | 2023 |
| Split island booth: "A Split Island Booth is a Peninsula Booth which shares a common back wall with another Peninsula Booth." "The entire Cubic Content of this booth may be used, up to the maximum allowable height, without any back wall Line-of-Sight restrictions." | IAEE | 2023 |
| Island booth: "An Island Booth is any size booth exposed to aisles on all four sides." Height is "usually a range of 16ft to 20ft (4.88m to 6.10m), including signage." The guidelines also say island booths should not be allowed at less than 400 sq ft. | IAEE | 2023 |
| Multi-story (double deck) exhibit: a booth where the display fixture includes two or more levels. IAEE sets no height limit for multi-story exhibits and recommends requiring "engineering stamped documents for all Multi-story Exhibits and towers over 8ft (2.44m) in height." Many cities treat multi-story exhibits as structures, so prior approval from the facility, local government and organizer may be needed, and a city building permit based on drawings from a licensed architect or engineer is generally required. | IAEE | 2023 |
| Hanging signs: "Most exhibition and event rules allow for Hanging Signs and Graphics in all standard Peninsula and Island Booths." Typical maximum is 16ft to 20ft measured from the floor to the top of the sign, or as the organizer sets. Canopies must be at least 7ft above the floor within 5ft of any aisle. | IAEE | 2023 |
| Show manual restating IAEE: "PPAI generally follows the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) guidelines." PPAI Expo 2026 lists inline and corner booths at 8' standard height (10' extended), perimeter at 8' standard (16' extended), island at 16' standard (22' extended) with hanging signs permitted, and allows multi-story exhibits only in island booths. | PPAI | As of 12.9.2025 |
| Show rules restating IAEE: AMPP's exhibit rules are taken from the IAEE Guidelines for Display Rules and Regulations, and state "AMPP follows the 'Line-of-Sight' style of show display regulations." Any tower over 8 ft needs drawings plus show management and venue approval. | AMPP | 2026 |
Real booths
Booths built by vetted builders
From the portfolios of builders listed on Exhivo. Open a builder to see more of its work, then brief the ones you like.
Photos belong to the builders who built them. A brand is named only where the builder's own portfolio names it.
Questions
Common questions
What is an inline booth?
A booth in a straight row, open to the aisle on one side only. Inline booths are most commonly 10 ft wide and 10 ft deep, with an 8 ft back wall; the 8 ft height is allowed only in the rear half, and everything in the front half stays under 4 ft (IAEE 2023).
What is a peninsula booth?
A booth open to aisles on three sides, usually 20 × 20 ft or larger. Its back wall is limited to 4 ft high within 5 ft of each aisle, and shows typically allow 16 to 20 ft of height (IAEE 2023).
What is the difference between an island and a peninsula booth?
An island is open on all four sides; a peninsula on three, with a back wall to its neighbour. IAEE suggests island booths of at least 400 sq ft, and both usually allow 16 to 20 ft of height.
What is a double deck trade show booth?
A multi-story exhibit with two or more levels. IAEE sets no height limit for them but recommends engineering-stamped drawings, and many cities treat them as structures that need a building permit. Many shows allow them only in island booths, as PPAI Expo 2026 does.
What is a corner booth?
An inline booth at the end of a row, open to aisles on two sides. All inline rules apply to it (IAEE 2023).
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