Calculator

Serving Size Calculator

Never run out of food — or make way too much — again

Event Details

Recommended Amounts
Guests—

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — children under 10 typically eat about half an adult serving. A good rule of thumb is to count two kids as one adult when estimating food. Teenagers, however, often eat as much as adults or more.
A 10–15% buffer is standard for sit-down meals. For buffets, plan 15–20% extra because guests tend to take a bit more when serving themselves. Our calculator's "heavy appetite" setting already factors in a generous buffer.
Yes. If you're serving multiple sides and appetizers, guests will eat less of the main course. With three or more sides, you can safely reduce main course portions by about 15–20%.

About the Serving Size Calculator

Planning food for a group is one of the trickiest parts of hosting. Make too little and guests leave hungry; make too much and you're stuck with leftovers for a week. Our Serving Size Calculator uses industry-standard catering guidelines to tell you exactly how much of each dish type to prepare.

Just enter your guest count, select appetite level and dish type, and get specific amounts in practical measurements — pounds of meat, cups of pasta, pieces of bread, and more. Whether you're hosting a casual dinner party or a large celebration, this tool takes the guesswork out of meal planning.