Knowing how to set a table makes any meal feel more special, from a weeknight dinner to a holiday feast. The rules are simpler than they look: forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right, and glasses above the knife. This guide explains how to set a table for basic, casual and formal meals, with diagrams in words, spacing tips and easy memory tricks.
The Basic Rules
- Forks go to the left of the plate.
- Knives go to the right, blade facing the plate.
- Spoons go to the right of the knife.
- Glasses go above the knife, on the right.
- Bread plates go above the forks, on the left.
- Utensils are used from the outside in, in the order of the courses.
Memory trick: Make a lowercase "b" with your left hand and a "d" with your right, fingers together. Bread is on the left, drinks on the right. Or remember "BMW": bread, meal, water, from left to right.
How to Set a Basic Table
- Place a placemat or set the dinner plate in the center of each place, about an inch from the table edge.
- Put the fork to the left of the plate.
- Put the knife to the right, blade facing in, and the spoon to the right of the knife.
- Set the water glass above the knife.
- Fold the napkin and place it to the left of the fork or on the plate.
How to Set a Casual Table
For a relaxed dinner with friends, start with the basic setting and add:
- A salad plate or bowl on top of the dinner plate if you're serving salad.
- A salad fork to the left of the dinner fork, if salad comes first.
- A wine glass to the right of the water glass.
- A coffee cup and saucer to the right of the spoons, if serving coffee with dessert.
How to Set a Formal Table
| Item | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Charger | Center, under the dinner plate |
| Dinner plate | On the charger |
| Soup bowl or salad plate | On the dinner plate, for the first course |
| Forks | Left: salad fork (outer) and dinner fork (inner), or in course order |
| Knives | Right: dinner knife next to the plate, blade in |
| Spoons | Right of the knife: soup spoon outermost if soup is first |
| Bread plate and butter knife | Upper left, knife laid across the plate |
| Dessert fork and spoon | Horizontally above the plate (fork handle left, spoon handle right) |
| Glasses | Upper right: water glass above the knife, wine glasses to its right |
| Napkin | On the plate or to the left of the forks |
| Place card | Above the dessert utensils |
Only set utensils for courses you're actually serving. If there's no soup, skip the soup spoon.
Spacing
- Allow about 24 inches of table width per place setting, more for formal dinners.
- Keep utensils and plates about an inch from the table edge.
- Line up the bottoms of utensils with the bottom of the plate.
- Center each setting in front of its chair.
Seating capacity depends on table size. The Oval-End Dining Table (70.9"W × 29.5"D) seats 6, for example, and the Wave Edge Solid Wood Dining Table (83.8"W × 39.3"D) seats 8. See how to choose a dining table.
Centerpieces
Keep centerpieces low (under about 12 to 14 inches) so guests can see each other, or very tall and slim so they're above eye level. Leave room for serving dishes, or serve from a sideboard instead.
Serve From a Sideboard
For larger dinners, buffet-style serving frees up the table for place settings. The Orbis Rounded Edge Sideboard has an 86.6"-wide top that holds up to 110 lbs, with drawers for flatware and napkins and cabinets for serving dishes. See how to decorate a sideboard.
Table Setting Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting the knife blade facing out.
- Crowding settings closer than about 24 inches.
- Setting utensils for courses you're not serving.
- A centerpiece so tall guests can't see each other.
- Glasses on the left.
Holiday and Dinner Party Tips
- Set the table the night before.
- Use cloth napkins and a runner for an easy upgrade.
- Add place cards for large groups.
- Keep candles unscented near food.
See our guides on how to host Christmas dinner, Christmas centerpiece ideas and how to prepare for holiday guests.
FAQ
What is the correct way to set a table?
Plate in the center, fork on the left, knife (blade in) and spoon on the right, glass above the knife, and napkin on the left or on the plate.
Which side does the napkin go on?
To the left of the forks, or on the plate.
Where does the dessert spoon go?
Horizontally above the plate, with the spoon handle pointing right and the dessert fork below it pointing left.
How much space does each place setting need?
About 24 inches of table width per person.