per head

USAGE SUMMARY

"per head" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the amount owing or charged for each individual in a group or family. For example, "The entry fee for the movie is $10 per head."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dinner around £30 per head without drinks.

The Guardian - Travel

Per head, the average payout has fallen from $498,000.

The Guardian - Business

From €36 per head.

The Guardian - Travel

Tasting menu £65 per head.

Independent

Around £10 per head.

The Guardian - Travel

That's £60 per head.

The Guardian - Opinion

About £12 per head.

The Guardian - Travel

Its income per head was $4,100.

The Economist

Around £70 per head, including wine.

Independent

Around £20 per head, excluding drinks.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

On a per-head basis the difference is even starker.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "per head" in pricing, always clarify what the price includes (e.g., "Dinner is $50 per head, excluding drinks").

Common error

Avoid using "per head" when a general average is more appropriate. "Per head" implies individual allocation or cost, not just a general statistical average. For example, use "average income" instead of "income per head" when discussing overall economic trends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "per head" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a noun or verb to specify the cost, allocation, or quantity related to each individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "per head" serves as a concise way to express "for each person", predominantly used to denote costs, allocations, or quantities on an individual basis. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and versatile across various contexts, including news, business, and general communication. Though "per capita" is a more formal alternative, "per head" remains widely understood and acceptable. When using "per head", ensure clarity about what the price or allocation includes to avoid confusion. Remember that "per head" implies individual allocation, so it is best to use a different word like average, in order to avoid implying individual allocation when you simply mean to discuss overall economic trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

per person

A direct synonym, simply replacing "head" with "person".

per capita

Indicates the average amount per person in a specific area or group, especially in statistical contexts.

per attendee

Specifically used for events or gatherings where costs or resources are allocated to those attending.

for each person

Emphasizes the allocation to every individual.

per member

Used when referring to costs or allocations within a group or organization.

on average per person

Highlights that the value is an average calculated for each individual.

for every individual

Stresses that the distribution or cost applies without exception to each person.

apiece

Implies a cost or quantity for each item or person.

individually

Focuses on each person separately, without necessarily implying cost.

each

A shorter way to specify that something applies to every member of a group.

FAQs

How do I use "per head" in a sentence?

Use "per head" to indicate a cost, amount, or allocation that applies to each individual in a group. For example, "The cost is $20 "per head"", or "We allocated 2 slices of pizza "per person"".

What's the difference between "per head" and "per capita"?

"Per head" and "per capita" both mean "for each person", but "per capita" is often used in statistical or economic contexts, while "per head" is more commonly used in everyday pricing or allocation scenarios.

What can I say instead of "per head" to describe individual cost?

You can use alternatives like ""per person"", "each", or "individually" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it formal to use "per head"?

The phrase "per head" is generally considered neutral to informal. In more formal contexts, "per capita" or "for each person" might be preferred, but "per head" is widely understood and accepted.