Size of European Flatware

Continental

• Traditionally used in Europe, the continental size of flatware is generally larger than place- or dinner-sized flatware. The knife is around 10 1/2 inches long. The dinner and salad forks are 8 1/2 and 6 1/2 inches respectively. The continental soup spoon is around 7 5/8 inches. The teaspoon is the only common size at 6 1/4 inches.

Place

• The place-sized setting is the most commonly used setting size in the U.S. Place setting knives are 9 inches long. Dinner forks and salad forks are 7 1/2 and 6 1/2 inches long respectively. The soup spoon - a spoon with a deep, rounded bowl - is 7 inches long, and the teaspoon, traditionally used only for stirring tea, is 6 1/4 inches long.

Dinner

• Dinner-sized flatware was more common in American homes in the past when the wealthy hosted formal dinners. Dinner-sized flatware actually differs from the place size only in the size of the knives and dinner forks. Knives are 9 3/4 inches long, and dinner forks are 8 inches. Salad forks remain at 6 1/2 inches long, soup spoons at 7 inches, and teaspoons at 6 1/4 inches in length.

Basics of Table Setting

• Place the plate in front of the chair, centered on the place mat. Above the plate, place the butter-spreader with the blade facing toward the plate. To the right of the plate, place the entree knife with blade toward the plate, then teaspoon and soup spoon. On the left side of the plate, place the dinner fork, then the salad fork. The bread plate goes above the forks. Glasses go above the knife, with the water glass closest to the plate and the wine glass next to it. Napkins can go either on the plate or to the left of the forks.