Serving Size Calculator
Figure out exactly how much food to prepare for any number of guests. Select a food type and enter your guest count to get total amounts, per-person servings, and a recommendation that includes extra for leftovers.
Standard Serving Sizes by Food Type
Knowing the right amount of food per person prevents both waste and the embarrassment of running out. Here are the standard per-person guidelines used by caterers and event planners:
- Main course meat (boneless): 0.5 lb (8 oz) per person. This includes chicken breast, pork tenderloin, steak, and fish fillets.
- Main course meat (bone-in): 0.75 lb (12 oz) per person. Bone-in cuts like ribs, chicken thighs, and T-bone steaks have less edible meat per pound.
- Side dishes: 0.25 lb (4 oz) per person per side. If serving two sides, plan for 0.5 lb total per person.
- Pasta (dry): 2 oz per person as a main dish, 1 oz as a side. Two ounces of dry pasta yields about 1 cup cooked.
- Rice (dry): 0.25 cup per person. One quarter cup of dry rice yields about 0.75 cups cooked.
- Salad: 1.5 cups per person as a side salad. For a main-course salad, plan for 2.5 to 3 cups per person.
- Appetizers: 6 pieces per person for a cocktail hour before dinner. For an appetizer-only event, increase to 12-15 pieces per person.
Planning Food for Parties and Events
Large gatherings require a slightly different approach than intimate dinners. Here are key considerations:
- Buffet vs. plated: Guests eat about 20% more at a buffet than a plated meal because they serve themselves and tend to take generous portions. Increase your totals by 20% for buffet service.
- Multiple proteins: If you are offering two or three meat options, reduce the per-person amount for each by about a third, since guests will take smaller portions of each.
- Time of day matters: Lunch portions are typically 15-20% smaller than dinner portions. A cocktail party with only appetizers needs 8-10 pieces per person per hour.
- Know your crowd: Events with mostly adults who are hearty eaters (think Super Bowl party) need 15-20% more food. Events with children can use 10-15% less.
Adjusting for Heavy and Light Eaters
The standard serving sizes above work well for average adult appetites. If your guest list skews toward heavier eaters, increase the totals by 15-20%. If you expect lighter eating (an elegant afternoon event, a crowd of small children, or a party with many appetizer courses), you can reduce by 10-15%. When in doubt, err on the side of more food — leftovers are a better problem to have than hungry guests.