When it comes to buying new tableware there are many questions to ask yourself. What colour? Plain or patterned? And how many to buy? But one very important aspect to consider is the size and shape of the plates, especially when it comes to setting the table for different occasions.
With lots of different plates to choose from it can be tricky to decipher what you need for your crockery collection. So, to help you find your way and to avoid any disappointment when your tableware order arrives in the post, take a look at our plate size guide below.
What size plates to buy
Here at Portmeirion we craft lots of different shapes and sizes of plates to ensure you have everything you need for every meal time and occasion:
Dinner plates
Small dinner plates
Side plates
Bread plates
Soup plates
Cake plates
Serving plates or platters
Our plates also come in different styles, such as rimmed, which often features a decorative band to frame your food, or coupe, which ensures your food takes centre stage with no rim but still a slight dip.
What is the standard size for a dinner plate?
Whether the base layer of your formal table setting or the star of the show for your evening meal, the dinner plate is an essential plate for your collection. Traditionally a standard dinner plate has a diameter of 10in/25cm, but they can go up as big as 11in/28cm or 12in/30cm.
Our Botanic Garden dinner plates have a rim, decorated with the iconic laurel leaf border, and are 10in/25cm, whereas our Sophie Conran Arbor dinner plates are rimless and measure 11in/28cm.
We also offer a selection of small dinner plates across some collections, such as our Botanic Garden Laurel Leaf, where the plates can range from 8in/21.5cm-9in/23cm.
What size is a side plate?
Side plates usually measure 6.5in/16.5cm - 9in/23cm in size. They are a versatile piece for your collection, perfect for adding colour and pattern to your overall setting, but can be used for serving side dishes at dinner, enjoying toast at breakfast, or eating your lunch.
What size is a soup plate?
Soup plates are a hybrid between a dinner plate and a soup bowl. Perfect for layering on top of your dinner plate in a formal setting, our soup plates measure around 8in/20cm - 10in/25cm, depending on the style.
Our Sophie Conran white soup plates are the larger size, offering a wider rim to show off the collection’s signature ripple detailing and hand-thrown shape. While our Botanic Garden soup plates are smaller in diameter, with a narrow rim but with a slightly deeper bowl.
What size is a serving plate?
A serving plate or platter can range in shape and size, from oval and round to scalloped or shaped. Great for serving out canapés at large get-togethers or as a centrepiece in the middle of the dinner table. Our serving plates range from 8in/20cm-20in/51cm in size.
What is the standard size of a dessert plate?
Dessert plates or cake plates used for enjoying a sweet treat during tea for two, afternoon tea, or after-dinner dessert are generally sized 8in/20cm. A similar size to a side plate, they can be used as both, and often come in sets of two or four.
Now you know the different plates on offer and their sizes it’s time to decide which of them you need to add to your collection.
Got the plates you need but have no idea how to set the table? Take a look at our Guide to Table Setting and be armed with all the knowledge you need for your next get-together.