How to Set Formal Silverware

Getting Started

Find a table where everyone will eat.

Position a dinner plate within an inch from the edge of the table and centered in front of each seat.

Place a salad plate on top of the dinner plate.

Place a soup bowl directly on top of your salad plate.

Setting the Main Silverware

Set a table knife about half an inch to the right of the dinner plate. The blade should face the plate.

Place a salad knife to the right of the table knife.

Place a soup spoon to the right of the salad knife.

Place a dinner fork to the left of the dinner plate.

Place a salad fork to the left of the dinner fork. If you do not plan on serving fish, skip step 6.

Set a fish fork to the left of your salad fork.

Place a napkin to the left of the salad fork.

Finishing the Final Section

Place a bread plate about and inch behind the forks towards the center of the table.

Place a butter knife on top of the bread plate.

Place a dessert fork about an inch behind the dinner plate. The prongs of the fork should be pointing to the right side of the table.

Place a dessert spoon behind the dessert fork. The bowl of the spoon should be pointed towards the left side of the table.

Place a water goblet, red wine glass, and white wine glass about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) behind your knives and spoon in a diagonal pattern.