Plate Size: A Comprehensive Guide

Source: Joyye

Shopping for plates is a fairly straightforward process for most people. You probably check out a variety of designs, evaluate the quality of the materials used to make the plates, and consider whether you like the general aesthetic of the plates. 

Plate size, however, is not something that many people evaluate in depth but it is quite important. Plus, there is more to size than a plate being big, small, or medium. Dimensions and design impact everything about the functionality of tableware.

In today's guide, we invite you to say goodbye to boring and unappetizing plating. Come along and let's explore different plate size options and everything you need to know to choose the right plates for your needs.
 

Plate Sizes at a Glance

Manufacturers design and produce plates in different sizes for various reasons. Some key influencing factors include: 
 

Brand Uniqueness

Manufacturers strive to set their brands apart from those of their competitors. A plate manufacturer may, therefore, produce plates with unique dimensions or shapes as a way to stand out or offer something fresh to the culinary industry.
 

Different Serving Requirements

Serving different types of food often requires different plate sizes. For example, a plate that is suitable for a sandwich may be too small to use when you are serving a full meal.

Subsequently, manufacturers follow culinary trends and requirements and produce plates that are suitable for various meal courses or food types.
 

Local Culture

Food and how people partake of it is a core part of any society's culture. 

In Arab culture, for example, it is not uncommon for family or friends to share meals by eating together on platters. In contrast, other cultures serve individuals separately. Others, like the Japanese, believe in healthy portion control and thus serve food in medium to small-sized plates and bowls.

In a nutshell, the culture of a region significantly impacts the common plate designs and sizes that are produced in a particular region.

With this context in mind, let's now turn our focus and explore different plate sizes.

Charger Plates

Source: Joyye

• Diameter Size: 12-14 inches

Charger plates are wide plates that serve as a base onto which you can place other plates when serving food.

They: 

• Prevent food spills from staining the table or tablecloth.

• Serve as a barrier between the heat coming off of plates and table surfaces; heat can damage some table surfaces.

• Add a decorative touch to formal dining setups.
   

Appetizer Plates

• Diameter Size: 6-8 inches

Appetizers are also known as starters. They are usually the first course of a meal. Examples include meatballs, dumplings, chicken wings, savory breadsticks, and more.

The sizes of appetizer plates are based on the fact that appetizers are finger-sized bitings that you serve in small portions. Compact dimensions are equally convenient for this type of plate because appetizers are sometimes served when diners are not formally seated.
 

Tapas plates

• Diameter Size: 5-7 inches

Remember when we mentioned above how culture influences types of plates and sizes? Tapas plates are a great illustration of that.

Tapas refers to different savory Spanish finger foods presented on platters for guests to choose and sample. They serve as appetizers or party snacks and are served in bars or cocktail events and so forth.

Tapas plates are thus almost identical to appetizer plates. The only difference is that they are usually about an inch smaller.
 

Salad Plates

• Diameter Size: 7-9 inches

True to their name, salad plates are used to serve salads or similar types of appetizers. They are larger than appetizer plates because salads typically require more space for proper culinary presentation and easy dining.
 

Soup Plates

• Diameter Size: 8-10 inches

Soup plates have a wide diameter because they have a deep well in the middle to hold soup dishes and a wide rim around the plate. The well, which takes the form of a bowl, also makes it easy to scoop soup with a spoon and prevents the soup from spilling over.
 

Dinner Plates

• Diameter Size: 10-12 inches

Dinner plates are designed to have ample room for serving main course. More so considering that main courses include more than one type of food. Some dinner plates are flat while others have a slight well in the middle. 
 

Side Plates

Source: Joyye

• Diameter Size: 6-7 inches

Side plates are ideal for serving accompanying dishes like steamed veggies or a potato salad. Their small size makes it easy to position them near the dinner plate for easy dining. You can also use side plates during other meal sessions to serve small dishes like sandwiches or cheese and fruit slices.
 

Bread and Butter Plates

• Diameter Size: 5-7 inches

Bread and butter or breadsticks are a common appetizer. The common approach is to serve a small portion of warm bread with a single serving of butter for each guest or dinner. Ergo the need for bread and butter plates. This type of plate can equally work as a side plate.
 

Platter Plates

• Diameter Size: 12-20 inches

Platter plates are ideal for different types of food service such as: 

• Serving a large portion of food for multiple people to share

• Serving assorted foods like tapas that diners can pick and serve on individual plates

• Presenting large main course dishes like baked turkey, fish, or a chunk of glazed ham

Some platter plates are flat but most have a rim around the plate to keep the food contents from spilling over. They also come in assorted shapes like oval, rectangular, or square.
 

Pizza Plates

• Diameter Size: 12-16 inches

Pizza plates are round and flat to make it easy to serve and size pizzas. Plate manufacturers produce them in an array of sizes to suit different pizza portions.
 

Compartment Plates

• Diameter Size: 9-11 inches

Compartment plates are demarcated into sections. The sections may be equal but it is more common for them to have different sizes. 

The plate sections can be convenient for people who prefer it if different food items do not mix. Alternatively, other diners can use the compartments as a form of portion control for different types of foods to achieve a balanced diet.

Compartment plates are designed for serving main course meals.
 

Saucer Plates

Source: Joyye

• Diameter Size: 5-6 diameter

Saucer plates are small plates that you place under tea or coffee cups during tea time. They often come as part of a tea set. They prevent tea or coffee spills from making a mess whether dinners are having tea at a table or standing. Saucers also usually have a bit of room to hold a teaspoon or a small snack like a macaroon.
 

Dessert Plates

• Diameter Size: 6-8 inches

Dessert plates are suitable for serving sweet or savory treats like cake or tart slices, pies, sorbet, or scoops of ice cream. They can be flat or have a small to medium-sized well in the middle to suit different types of desserts.
 

Tips on Choosing the Right Plate Size 

The right plate size varies from one situation to another. So, as you compare different options, here are essential factors to consider to ensure you make the right pick. 
 

The Food

The food you plan to serve should determine the kind of plates you need and the right sizes to aim for. 

For example, if you plan to serve a dish like prawns you will likely need a wider dinner plate than if you were serving steak or stir-fry chicken. It is thus not enough to simply order a dinner plate, it is prudent to check the dimensions indicated by the plate manufacturer.

Additionally, if the type of food you will be serving includes a sauce, it may be ideal to choose a plate with a bit of a well to prevent spills.
 

Table Placements

Source: Joyye

Consider the size of the table(s) where you will use your plates and the size of the plates you would like to buy. 

How many plates of that size can fit on your table? Will there be enough room to set up ample placements for the number of guests you need to serve?

While this consideration matters for all plates, it is especially important when it comes to charger plates. Their wide diameter can increase the amount of space you require for each placement. Therefore, aim for a size that will work for your table size.
 

Meal Presentation

Meal presentation is a crucial factor in any setting but more so in the restaurant business. Diners at restaurants expect mouth-watering meals served in even more delectable presentations. 

As such, your plates should be beautiful and complement the aesthetic of the dining experience you would like to offer your diners. 

They should also have the right dimensions for you to execute remarkable plating. The right dimensions in this case mean that the plate should not be so small that the food looks cramped or threatens to spill over. It should also not be too large that the food looks sparse on the plate.
 

Food Portions

Endeavor to match plate sizes to food portions. In a home setting, this may not matter much unless you are health-conscious. If so, solutions like compartment plates may be ideal. 

On the flip side, in commercial culinary settings, it is prudent to balance portions such that: 

• Diners get value for money

• No food goes to waste

• Your business makes enough profits

An efficient way to achieve this is to:

• Consider the different types of food that you serve at your establishment

• Develop a standard of portion control

• Identify adequate plate sizes for your allocated portions
   

Meal Courses

Coursed meals entail serving a variety of dishes in phases. Each meal will likely require a different kind of plate and the sizes of the plates may differ too depending on the type of food.

Consider the menu and use it as a guide to identify the right plate size for each course.
 

Kiddie Service 

When catering to children, aim for small to medium-sized plates. They are easier for them to handle, less intimidating, and more ideal for children's food portions. 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Standard Plate Size?

About 10 to 12 inches which is the average size of a dinner plate. Dinner plates work as the standard because they are the most commonly used plates.
 

What Size Plates Fit in a Dishwasher?

This primarily depends on the size and the type of dishwasher you have. However, most dishwasher racks will comfortably hold 10-inch plates. Larger plate sizes can be a bit more of a gamble.
 

Does the Material of a Plate Affect Size?

Not in terms of diameter but in terms of thickness and weight. 

For example, a 10-inch ceramic plate is just as wide as a similar 10-inch glass plate. However, the ceramic plate will likely be a little thicker and weigh more than a glass plate. 
 

Can I Mix Different Plate Sizes in One Table Setting?

Yes, it is perfectly fine to mix different plate sizes in a setting. It is, in fact, almost inevitable because different courses will likely require plates of different sizes. 

Additionally, using contrasting plate features, like different plate sizes and colors, makes table placements more interesting.
 

Are There Plate Sizes for Different Cuisines?

Yes. 

As we highlighted above, different types of foods and cultures influence plating and food service in general. 

Subsequently, there are plates designed for different kinds of cuisine.

Examples include:

• Tapas plates

• Fondue plates

• Sushi platters

• Tandoori plates

• Dim sum ceramic plates

Some of these plates, like tapas plates or dim sum plates, are made in specific sizes. Others, like tandoori plates or sushi platters, are available in different sizes because those types of cuisine can be served for one person or as a platter for multiple diners to share.
 

Conclusion

At first, paying close attention to details like plate sizes can feel rather unnecessary. However, when you see how choosing the right type and size of plates can elevate your dining experience, you realize that it is worth the effort. So, go on and give it a try when you order your next dinnerware set. Bon appetit.