If you are comparing place cards vs name cards vs table cards, the practical answer for most dinners and weddings is simple:
They usually describe the same printed item — a small card with a guest name at a table setting.
The difference is mostly wording and context, not a different product. Wedding vendors in the US say place card. Corporate planners and UK hosts often say name card or table name card. Seating card sometimes means the same thing, but the phrase is less precise.
Quick comparison
| Term | Typical context | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Place card | US weddings, formal dinners | Guest name at an assigned seat |
| Name card | Corporate events, UK English | Same as place card |
| Table name card | Conferences, galas | Same as place card |
| Table card | General events | Same as place card (not table number) |
| Seating card | Holiday dinners, casual wording | Often place card; sometimes any seating print |
What is a place card?
A place card sits at the guest's place setting and shows who should sit in that chair. It is standard for:
- plated weddings with assigned seats
- formal dinners where catering matches meals to seats
- events where you control who sits next to whom
Use the Place Card Maker to generate one card per guest from Excel, CSV, or Google Sheets.
What is a name card or table name card?
Name cards and table name cards are the same physical product with different search habits:
- Corporate banquets — "table name card" is common
- UK and Commonwealth English — "name card" appears more often than "place card"
- School and charity galas — either term works
Our Table Name Card Maker page uses business-focused templates, but the editor is the same as the main place card maker.
What are seating cards?
Seating cards is the fuzziest term. It can mean:
- Place cards at each seat (most common when people search "printable seating cards")
- Any seating-related print — escort cards, table numbers, or a seating chart
If you need one card per guest at the table, treat "seating card" as a synonym for place card / name card.
If you need guests to find their table at the entrance, that is an escort card or seating chart — not a seating card in the place-card sense.
Terms that are not synonyms
Do not confuse place cards / name cards with these:
| Term | Different because |
|---|---|
| Escort card | Shows table number at the entrance; guest picks up the card |
| Table number | One sign per table, not one card per person |
| Seating chart | One large poster listing all guests |
| Name tag / badge | Worn on a lanyard, not placed on the table |
Read the full guide: Escort Cards vs Place Cards.
Which term should you optimize for?
As a host, use whichever word your guests expect on the invitation or run sheet. As a searcher, try:
- place card maker — weddings and general events
- table name card — corporate dinners
- wedding name card template — reception stationery
- printable seating cards — often tent-fold place cards
All of these can be made from one guest list in the Place Card Maker.
FAQ
Are place cards and name cards the same thing?
Yes, for table settings they are the same printed card. The name varies by industry and region.
Is a table card the same as a table number?
No. A table card usually means a guest name card. A table number marks the table itself (Table 5, Table A).
Do I need escort cards and place cards?
Many formal weddings use both: escort cards at the door (name + table), place cards at the seat (exact chair). Smaller dinners may use place cards only.
What size are tent-fold name cards?
A common size is 3.5" × 2" flat, folded to stand on the plate. See Place Card Sizes and Printable Place Cards for PDF layouts.
Can I print name cards from Excel?
Yes. One row per guest, map the name column, export a PDF batch. See How to Make Place Cards from Google Sheets for the same workflow.