Party Food Calculator: How Much Food and Drink to Make
Type in how many people are coming and how long the party runs. The calculator gives you a shopping starting point for mains and sides. It also counts appetizer pieces and drinks and ice.
Party food calculator
Fill in the boxes to see the numbers.
Standard caterer rules: 1/3 to 1/2 lb of main per adult and about 1/2 lb of sides in total for a full meal. For appetizers only plan 6 pieces each in the first hour and 4 an hour after that. Plan 2 drinks each in the first hour and 1 an hour after that. Plan 1.5 lb of ice per guest. Kids count as half a portion of food. Add a little more on a hot day or when the crowd is big eaters.
In this guide
The rules behind the numbers
The calculator uses the same rules of thumb as our guide to how much food per guest. Here is what it assumes.
- Kids under 10 count as half an adult for food. They count as a full guest for drinks and ice.
- A full meal means about half a pound of boneless main per adult. Sides add up to about another half pound per adult. It also plans about 4 appetizer pieces each before the meal.
- A light meal or lunch buffet cuts the main and sides by about a quarter. Appetizers drop to about 3 pieces each.
- Appetizers only means about 6 pieces per person in the first hour. Then about 4 more per person for each hour after that. That follows the hourly figures Washington State University’s catering service gives its clients.
- Drinks are 2 per guest in the first hour and 1 per guest for each hour after.
- Ice is about 1.5 pounds per guest. Buy more on a hot day or if ice also chills the drinks in a tub.
Every figure is rounded up. Running a little over is cheap. Running out is not.
Adjust the answer for your crowd
The calculator assumes average appetites. Push the numbers up for teenagers and young adults. Do the same for long outdoor parties and crowds you know eat well. Bring them down for lunch parties and hot weather. A table with lots of different dishes also needs less of each one.
Want detail for one dish? We have guides for turkey per person and pulled pork per person. There are also guides for chicken wings per person and pizzas per party. For bite counts see how many appetizers per person.
Keep it safe once it is out
The amounts only matter if the food stays safe. Hot food should stay at 140°F or warmer. Cold food should stay at 40°F or colder. Perishable food should not sit out more than 2 hours. Above 90°F the limit is 1 hour. Our buffet setup guide shows how to lay out a table that stays safe for the whole party.
Sources
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Danger Zone 40°F to 140°F.
- Hors D’oeuvres Menu, Washington State University Catering
- Mary Molt. Food for Fifty. Pearson. A standard quantity cooking textbook.
