How many people can actually sleep in an '8-person' family tent?

Across the reviewers we read, the rule of thumb that holds up is to subtract two to four from the manufacturer's number once you factor in air mattresses, gear, and personal space. A nominal 8-person tent is realistically a comfortable 4-to-6-person tent for a family that wants room for cots, duffels, and a path to the door. r/camping threads on tents like the Vidalido 8-10 and Core 9 repeatedly make this point.