Choosing dinner plates sounds simple until you notice the sizes, rims and shapes. This guide explains standard plate sizes, which shapes work for saucy dinners, and the best materials for everyday use.
The Short Answer
A standard dinner plate is 10 to 11 inches. Choose a plate with a slight lip or walled edge if you serve saucy slow cooker meals, porcelain or stoneware for everyday durability, and a set of 8 to 12 so you always have enough.
Plate Sizes
| Plate | Diameter | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Charger | 12 to 14 in | Decorative base for formal settings |
| Dinner plate | 10 to 11 in | Main course |
| Salad plate | 7 to 9 in | Salad, lunch, dessert |
| Dessert or bread plate | 6 to 7 in | Bread, dessert, appetizers |
Plate Shapes
- Rimmed: classic flat rim; formal look.
- Coupe: no rim, more usable space, modern.
- Walled or plates with lip: a raised edge that holds sauces and gravies, great for stew and beef tips and gravy.
- Deep plates: halfway between plate and bowl, like the elegant round deep ceramic plate.
Plates We Love
- Nordic matte ceramic dinner plate
- Modern irregular ceramic plates
- 8 and 9-inch porcelain soup and salad plates
- Vintage shell dessert and salad plate
- Stainless steel round dinner plate
- Porcelain two-compartment snack plate
How Many Plates Do You Need?
8 dinner plates suit most couples and small families; 12 if you host. Match salad plates to the same count.
Equipment I Used
- 3-piece ceramic serving bowl set: takes food straight from the crock to the table.
New to slow cooking? The Easy Slow Cooker Recipes guide is a beginner-friendly collection of easy crockpot breakfasts and dinners.
Dinner Plates FAQ
What is the standard dinner plate size?
10 to 11 inches in diameter.
What are plates with a lip called?
Rimmed, walled or lipped plates. The raised edge helps hold sauces.
What is the most durable plate material?
Porcelain and bone china resist chipping best for everyday use.
Are bigger plates better?
Not always. 10 to 11 inch plates fit most cabinets and dishwashers and help with portion sizes.
