Appetizers Per Person Calculator

How this works

How many appetizer pieces you need per guest depends heavily on whether a full meal follows. Standard catering guidance is about 4 to 6 pieces per person for a reception under an hour before a meal, 6 to 8 pieces for a longer 1.5–2 hour reception before a meal, and 12 to 15 pieces per person when appetizers are the entire event (a cocktail party with no separate dinner).

Source: Based on standard event-catering guidance (commonly published by professional caterers) of 4–6 pieces per person before a meal, 6–8 pieces for a longer pre-meal reception, and 12–15 pieces when appetizers are the entire meal.