How many canapés per person for a drinks reception?

For a standard 2-hour drinks reception, plan for 8-12 pieces per person. If canapés are replacing a full meal, plan for 12-14 pieces per person (a substantial canapé-only reception). For a short pre-dinner reception (30-60 minutes), 4-6 pieces is enough.

How many varieties should I offer?

Offer a minimum of 4-6 varieties for a 2-hour event. Add 2-3 varieties per extra hour. Include at least 30% vegetarian options even if few guests are vegetarian. A good mix includes cold (smoked salmon blinis), warm (mini quiches) and sweet (petit fours) options.

How do I estimate vegetarian canapé numbers?

Even if only 10-15% of guests are vegetarian, make at least 30% of your canapés vegetarian. Non-vegetarian guests also eat veggie options, so this calculator always allocates a minimum of 30% meat-free when vegetarian options are switched on. If your entered vegetarian percentage is higher than 30%, that figure is used instead. Always slightly over-cater on vegetarian options.

Canapé Calculator

Calculate canapé quantities by type for cocktail receptions based on guest count and event duration.

Number of Guests

Total guest count for the event

Event Duration

Length of the canapé service

Event TypeType determines quantity multiplier

Budget LevelApproximate cost per canapé piece

Include vegetarian options

Allocate a portion as vegetarian (off = all meat/fish)

Vegetarian Canapés %

Share of canapés made meat-free. A 30% minimum always applies so non-veg guests can graze them too; enter a higher % to override.

How We Calculate This

Quantity Formula

Pieces per guest = Pieces per hour × Duration × Event type multiplier

Total pieces = Pieces per guest × Guest count

Event type multipliers: pre-dinner reception (0.7×), drinks reception (1.0×), cocktail party (1.2×), wedding reception (0.9×), replacing a meal (1.5×). When canapés replace a meal the per-person count is capped at 14 pieces, matching UK caterer guidance for a multi-hour canapé-only reception rather than scaling indefinitely with duration.

Vegetarian allocation ensures at least 30% of the total are meat-free whenever vegetarian options are included, so non-vegetarian guests can graze them too. Turn the vegetarian toggle off to plan an all-meat/fish menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.