Cake toppers
Cake Topper Size Chart by Cake Diameter
Two thirds of the top tier. Everything else on this page is detail.
Almost every cake topper problem is a sizing problem, and sizing is arithmetic rather than taste. Measure the top of the cake, take two thirds of it, order that width.
The chart
- 6 inch cake, topper about 4 inches wide
- 8 inch cake, topper about 5.5 inches wide
- 10 inch cake, topper about 6.5 to 7 inches wide
- 12 inch cake, topper about 8 inches wide
- Cupcakes, 1.5 to 2 inches
Tiered cakes
Measure the top tier, not the base. A topper sized to a 12 inch base will swamp a 6 inch top tier and it cannot be fixed on the day.
Sheet cakes
Measure the shorter side and take two thirds of that, otherwise the topper looks stranded in a wide rectangle.
How many characters fit
Longer names need a wider topper, or the letters get thin enough to snap. As a guide at 5.5 inches wide:
- Up to 8 characters sits comfortably in script
- 9 to 14 characters needs 6.5 inches or a block font
- Over 14 characters should go on two lines rather than one
Send the exact spelling and we will tell you honestly if it needs a size up. See the full topper range.
Height and stem
Total height is usually a little over half the width for a name topper. The stem needs to be at least 1.5 inches to seat properly in a real sponge, longer for a tall or soft cake.
Buttercream versus fondant
Fondant holds a topper firmly. Soft buttercream lets it lean, so insert late and press to the board if you can.
Practical sizing mistakes
Sizing to the photo
Product photos are shot on cakes chosen to flatter the topper. Measure your own cake.
Ordering full width
A topper spanning the whole cake leaves no visual margin and crops badly in photographs.
Forgetting the decoration
If there are flowers or a drip on top, size down. The topper shares the space.
If you are unsure
Message us the cake diameter and the wording. We will tell you which size to order rather than letting you guess, because acrylic cannot be resized once it is cut.
Shop cake toppers by size
Related reading
FAQ
1. What size topper for an 8 inch cake?
About 5.5 inches wide, which is roughly two thirds of the cake diameter.
2. How do I size a topper for a tiered cake?
Measure the top tier and take two thirds of that. Sizing to the base is the most common and most expensive mistake.
3. How long can a name be on a cake topper?
Up to eight characters fits comfortably at 5.5 inches. Longer names need a wider topper or a block font, and over fourteen characters should go on two lines.
4. How long is the stem?
At least 1.5 inches, which seats properly in a real sponge. Taller or softer cakes benefit from more.
5. Can a topper be resized after ordering?
No. Acrylic is laser cut, so the size is fixed once cutting starts. Check the proof carefully.
6. What size for cupcakes?
1.5 to 2 inches. Anything larger overwhelms the cupcake and tips over.