How Many Macarons Do You Need? A Quick Guide

If you’ve ever wondered whether a handful of macarons is enough for a party, you’re not alone. Too many end up as waste, too few leave guests hungry. Below you’ll get straight‑forward numbers to help you size up the right amount for any occasion.

Macarons per Guest

The safe bet is 3‑4 macarons per person if they’re the only sweet on the table. That gives enough variety without overloading anyone. For a cocktail hour where people will be nibbling while mingling, aim for 2‑3 each. If you plan to serve a dessert plate alongside cake or pastries, 1‑2 per guest is plenty.

Kids usually eat fewer – about 2 each – while adults often reach for the extra one when the flavor is right. So, think about your crowd: a mix of ages means you can average 2.5 macarons per head.

Scaling Up for Bigger Events

When you move from a small gathering to a wedding or corporate function, the math stays the same, just multiply. For a 100‑guest wedding with macarons as the sole dessert, order 400‑500 pieces. Add a few extra for the cake cutter and the staff, so 520 is a comfortable round number.

If you’re doing a tasting table with multiple flavors, you’ll want a little more variety. Offer 5‑6 different flavors and give each guest a small tasting plate of 3‑4 pieces. For 50 guests, that’s about 200‑250 macarons total.

Don’t forget the display. A single‑tier tower holds roughly 30‑40 pieces, so plan the number of tiers based on your total count. Two tiers = about 70 pieces, three tiers = close to 110, and so on.

When budgeting, remember that larger orders often come with a discount. Talk to your supplier about bulk pricing once you’ve nailed the quantity.

Finally, keep a few on hand for last‑minute guests or as a sweet thank‑you for the staff. A small buffer of 5‑10% of your total order usually does the trick.

With these numbers, you can confidently answer the question “how many macarons?” for any event size. No more guesswork, just tasty, perfectly portioned macarons that leave everyone smiling.