Disposable Plate Sizes: Which Size Do You Need?

Plate sizes at a glance

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To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54. A 9 inch plate is 9 x 2.54 = 22.9cm, which rounds to 23cm.

How plates are measured

Plate sizes are almost always the outside diameter, measured across the widest point, including the rim. The flat area where food sits is smaller. A plate with a deep, wide rim has less usable space than one with a shallow rim of the same size.

To measure a plate yourself, lay a ruler across the centre from edge to edge. For square plates, measure one side, not the diagonal.

How to choose a plate size

For a main meal

Choose 9 inch for a standard plate of food, such as pasta, a burger and salad, or a roast dinner for an adult. Choose 10 inch when the meal has a main and two or three sides, such as curry, rice, naan and salad.

For desserts, starters and cake

Choose 7 inch round or 8 inch square. A slice of birthday cake fits neatly on a 7 inch plate.

For buffets

Guests pile food high at a buffet. A 10 inch plate gives room without waste. A 12 inch plate works as a sharing platter or for large appetites at a BBQ.

For children

7 inch plates suit small portions and small hands.

For food that must stay separate

Use a compartment plate. Our 10 inch 3-compartment plate keeps curry away from rice. Our 5-compartment plate suits meal sets and packed lunches.

7 vs 9 inch plates

A 7 inch plate is about 5cm narrower than a 9 inch plate, but the difference in area is bigger than it sounds. Area grows with the square of the diameter, so a 9 inch plate has about 65% more surface than a 7 inch plate.

• Use 7 inch for cake, snacks, starters and sides.
• Use 9 inch for any full meal.

Mixing the two is common at parties: one 9 inch plate for food and one 7 inch plate for cake per guest.

Are 6 inch paper plates worth it?

Many people search for 6 inch paper plates for cake and snacks. A 6 inch plate (about 15cm) holds a cupcake or a few biscuits, but a normal slice of cake often overhangs it. For most parties, a 7 inch plate is the safer small size. It holds a full slice of cake and doubles as a side plate.

Round, square or compartment?

• Round: suits almost every meal and stacks neatly.
• Square: gives a styled look for weddings and events. Our square bagasse plates are also dishwasher safe.
• Compartment: keeps foods apart. Ideal for curry and rice, BBQ, school meals and meal deals.

Paper or bagasse?

• Paper plates are light and low cost. They suit cake, sandwiches and snacks. Ours come in 7 and 9 inch.
• Bagasse plates are thicker and oil resistant. They suit hot, heavy and saucy meals. Ours come in 7, 9, 10 and 12 inch, plus square, compartment and pizza plates.

Learn more in What are bagasse plates? and how paper plates are made.

How many plates do I need?

Example: a wedding buffet for 80 guests needs about 140 to 160 x 10 inch plates and 90 x 7 inch plates for cake. A 150 pack of 10 inch plates and a 100 pack of 7 inch plates covers it.

Common mistakes

• Choosing by headline size only. The rim takes space. If food is heavy, go up a size.
• Using 7 inch plates for a main meal. Food spills over the edge.
• Forgetting dessert plates. Guests will not want cake on a used dinner plate.
• Ordering exactly one plate per guest for a buffet. People go back for seconds.

Products in this guide

Prices include VAT, with free UK mainland delivery and no minimum order.

7 Inch White Bagasse PlatesFrom £6.99 inc VATView pack sizes9 Inch White Bagasse PlatesFrom £7.90 inc VATView pack sizes10 Inch White Bagasse PlatesFrom £8.99 inc VATView pack sizes12 Inch White Bagasse PlatesFrom £12.99 inc VATView pack sizes8 Inch Square Bagasse PlatesFrom £8.49 inc VATView pack sizes10 Inch 3-Compartment Bagasse PlatesFrom £8.99 inc VATView pack sizes