Chips Quantity Calculator for an Aperitif
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/9/2026
Count on about 80 g of chips per person if they make up most of the aperitif, versus about 30 g if they're just one snack among others. For 8 people with several snacks available, plan on about 240 g of chips.
Explanation
The amount of chips to prepare for an aperitif mainly depends on how much of a role they play among the other snacks on offer, far more than on the number of guests alone. When chips make up most of the aperitif — few or no other savory snacks available, a simple aperitif served before a light meal — the usual benchmark is about 80 g per person. When they're just one item among others (olives, cold cuts, cheeses, assorted savory crackers), a more modest amount of about 30 g per person is generally enough, since guests naturally spread their appetite across the different snacks offered. This same distribution principle explains why a full "apéritif dînatoire" spread (meant to replace a meal rather than precede one) generally calls for smaller individual amounts per snack type, but a larger number of different snacks, than a simple aperitif before a regular meal. The aperitif's duration and the appetite of the guests present are also factors to adjust for: a long aperitif before a late meal often justifies a more generous amount than this base benchmark. For children, a portion reduced to about 60% of the adult portion is generally enough. For the other elements of an aperitif or reception, see our non-alcoholic beverages quantity calculator and our ice quantity calculator.
Example: 8 people, chips among other snacks
Inputs
Number of people: 8. Role: one snack among others.
Calculation
Quantity = 8 × 30 = 240 g.
Result
Plan on about 240 g of chips for this aperitif.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the amount change so much depending on the chips' role?
Because guests' total appetite for the aperitif spreads across all the snacks available: if chips are the only option, each person naturally eats more of them than if several other options (cold cuts, cheeses, olives) are also on offer, which explains the gap between 80 g and 30 g per person depending on the context.
Should the amount be adjusted for a full "apéritif dînatoire" spread?
Yes: an apéritif dînatoire, meant to replace a meal rather than precede one, generally calls for a wider variety of snacks, each in a smaller individual amount. In that case, aim for the lower end of the range for chips (30 g or less per person), relying on the variety of other snacks offered to round out guests' appetite.
Does this amount change for children?
Yes, a portion reduced to about 60% of the adult portion is generally enough for a child. Simply adjust the number of people accordingly if children are at your aperitif, or calculate the adult and child shares separately for more precision.