How Many Items Should You Put on a Registry? (Wedding & Baby)

One of the most common questions people ask when setting up a registry is: how many items should I add?

The honest answer? There's no magic number. But there are practical guidelines that help you build a registry that feels balanced — not overwhelming or underwhelming.

Here's how to think about registry size for weddings, baby showers, and other occasions.

The General Guideline: 1.5 to 2 Items Per Guest

For wedding registries, a common rule of thumb is to have roughly 1.5 to 2 items per expected guest.

So if you're expecting 100 guests:

• Aim for around 150-200 items total
• Include a range of price points
• Mix physical items with gift cards or experiences

This gives guests enough variety to find something that fits their budget and preferences — without feeling like they're choosing from a limited selection.

Why More Items Can Actually Be Better

It might feel greedy to add a lot of items, but the opposite is often true.

A larger registry:

• Gives guests more options
• Reduces the chance of "only expensive items left"
• Lets guests choose based on their budget
• Avoids the awkward situation of an empty registry

The goal isn't to get more gifts — it's to make gifting easier. That's what a thoughtful registry does.

Wedding Registry Size: What Works

For wedding registries, the size often depends on:

• Guest count
• Whether you already have household basics
• How many people are likely to give gifts vs. just attending

A rough breakdown by guest count:

• 50 guests: 75-100 items
• 100 guests: 150-200 items
• 150+ guests: 200-300 items

These aren't strict rules — just starting points. The key is variety, not volume.

Baby Registry Size: Usually Smaller

Baby registries tend to be more focused. You're not furnishing a home — you're preparing for a specific need.

A typical baby registry includes:

• 50-100 items
• Essentials like diapers, clothing, and gear
• A few bigger-ticket items for group gifting
• Gift cards for flexibility

Baby registries also tend to have more "consumables" (diapers, wipes, formula) that guests can buy repeatedly.

Price Point Distribution Matters More Than Total Count

A registry with 200 items that are all $100+ isn't helpful. A registry with 50 well-distributed items might work better.

Aim for a mix:

• Under $25: ~40% of items
• $25-75: ~35% of items
• $75-150: ~15% of items
• $150+: ~10% of items (often for group gifting)

This ensures every guest — regardless of budget — can find something comfortable to give.

You Can Always Add More Later

One of the best things about a universal registry is that you're not locked in.

You can:

• Start small and add items as you think of them
• Remove items that get purchased
• Add from new stores anytime
• Keep the same link even as the registry evolves

This is especially helpful if you're not limited to one store — you can browse anywhere and add what you find.

What If Your Registry Feels Too Small?

If your registry feels sparse, consider:

• Adding gift cards from stores you actually use
• Including experiences (dinner out, a class, travel contributions)
• Adding practical items you might not think of as "gifts" (tools, storage, etc.)
• Browsing other registries for inspiration

Don't pad your registry with things you don't want. But don't hold back on things you'd genuinely use, either.

The Bottom Line

There's no perfect number of registry items. What matters is:

• Enough variety to give guests real choice
• A range of price points
• Items you'll actually use
• The flexibility to add more over time

If you're still figuring out what to include, our guide on what to put on a gift registry covers the types of items that work best.