Party Food Calculator

Calculate food and drink quantities for your party. Get per-person amounts, shopping lists, and budget estimates for any event size.

Number of Guests

1200

Event Duration (hours)

1 hr10 hrs

Meal Type

Guest Demographics & Dietary Needs

Kids (% of guests)

Vegetarian (%)

Vegan (%)

23 adults2 kids4 vegetarian1 vegan20 meat eaters

Shopping List — Full Meal for 25 Guests

Appetizers

Appetizer varieties (4 types)(~73 per variety)

291 pieces

Cheese & crackers(Plus 1 box crackers per 10 guests)

52 oz cheese

Veggie tray with dip(1 tray serves ~8)

4 trays

Proteins

Main protein (chicken/beef/pork)(6oz per adult)

8.5 lbs

Vegetarian protein (tofu/beans/portobello)(For 5 veg guests)

2 lbs

Sides

Side dishes (3 varieties)(~2.5 lbs each)

6.5 lbs total

Salad greens(1.5 oz per person)

2.5 lbs

Bread rolls / baguette slices

50 pieces

Drinks

Beverages (adult)(Mix of soft drinks, water, juice)

115 servings

Water bottles

38 bottles

Kid-friendly drinks(Juice boxes, lemonade)

6 servings

Ice

19 lbs

Desserts

Dessert servings(Cake, cookies, or brownies)

25 servings

Supplies

Napkins

75 count

Plates

50 count

Cups

63 count

Utensil sets

38 sets

Budget Estimate

Budget

$8-$12 per person

$200 - $300

total for 25 guests

Mid-Range

$15-$25 per person

$375 - $625

total for 25 guests

Premium

$30-$50 per person

$750 - $1,250

total for 25 guests

Leftover Prediction

Typically 18% of food goes uneaten

Estimated ~6.9 lbs of leftovers

18%

Tip: Prepare containers for guests to take leftovers home.

For larger parties (50+), waste drops to ~15% as portions self-regulate.

Drink Planning Guide

Total Drink Servings

121

2-Liter Sodas Needed

Rule of thumb: 2 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 per hour after. Kids count as half. Plan for variety — 40% soft drinks, 30% water, 30% juice/lemonade.

Per-Person Portion Guide

Item	Appetizers	Light	Full	Heavy
Appetizers (pieces/hr)	6	6	6	6
Main protein (oz)	-	4	6	8
Side dishes (oz each)	-	3	4	5
Bread (pieces)	-	2	2	2

Kids portions are calculated at 60% of adult amounts. Drinks: 2 servings first hour, 1 per hour after.

How to Use Party Food Calculator

1Enter the number of guests and party duration
2Select the meal type
3Adjust dietary preferences
4Review quantities, shopping list, and budget

Frequently Asked Questions

How much food do I need per person for a party?▾

For appetizers-only events, plan 6-8 pieces per person per hour. For a full meal, estimate 6-8 oz of protein, 2-3 sides, and 1 dessert per person.

How many drinks per person for a party?▾

Plan for 2 drinks per person per hour for the first hour, then 1 drink per hour after that. For a 4-hour party, that's about 5 drinks per guest.

How do I budget for party food?▾

Budget $8-15 per person for appetizers only, $15-25 for a casual meal, and $30-50+ for a premium buffet or plated dinner.

About Party Food Calculator

Calculate food and drink quantities for your party. Get per-person amounts, shopping lists, and budget estimates for any event size.

NexTool's Party Food Calculator is completely free to use with no sign-up required. Your data is processed directly in your browser and never sent to our servers, ensuring complete privacy and instant results.