A step-by-step linear incremental procedure for large deflection analyses of plates on elastic foundations using finite elements is presented. The incremental stiffness matrices for a conforming rectangular plate finite element, which are appropriate for large deflection analysis, are formulated and presented explicitly. Evaluative analyses are made by using the incremental stiffness formulations and piecewise incremental procedures. Examples include uniformly loaded rectangular plates with different length-to-width ratios, various boundary conditions and foundation moduli. Comparisons are made in those cases where the alternative analytic solutions are available. Good agreements are found.