There is no need to turn napkin planning into complicated maths. Start with how people will be eating and drinking, then allow a sensible number of extras.

For a seated lunch or dinner

Allow at least one full-size napkin per guest and keep extras available. If you are serving several courses, messy food or a long meal, having additional napkins within reach is useful. Browse napkins for dinner parties if you are planning a seated table.

For drinks and canapés

People are more likely to take multiple small napkins when they are holding drinks and food, so cocktail napkins disappear faster than place-setting napkins. Put out part of the stack and replenish it rather than covering the entire surface at once. See our cocktail napkins or read cocktail napkins vs dinner napkins.

A simple pack calculation

WOLDS packs contain 24 napkins. For a dinner for 8, one pack gives you three napkins per guest if required. For 12 guests, one pack gives you two per guest. For 24 guests, one pack provides one per person, so a second pack is useful if you want comfortable extras.

Mixing designs

You do not need every napkin at a party to match. Mixing related colours can make a larger gathering feel less formal. Try combining designs from the Earth Collection or the Olive Collection.

For more choice, shop all WOLDS paper napkins or read our dinner-party napkin guide.