Plan the perfect party food, in seconds.
Enter your guest count and party type. Get a practical grocery list with exact package counts, an estimated cost, and no weird decimals.
Quick answer: how much food per person for a party?
For a full meal, plan 1 to 1.5 pounds of food per adult (one main serving, about 1/3 lb of sides, one dessert), 2 to 3 drinks per person every two hours, and 3 pizza slices per adult for pizza parties. Use this free party food calculator to turn your guest count into exact package counts and a print-ready shopping list. Hosting a Halloween party or planning an office lunch? Use the Halloween party calculator for candy and trick-or-treat quantities, or the office party food calculator for coworker lunch quantities.
| Guests | Total food (full meal) | Burger patties | Large pizzas | Drinks (4 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 people | 10–15 lb | 15–20 | 4–5 | 50 |
| 20 people | 20–30 lb | 30–40 | 7–8 | 100 |
| 50 people | 50–75 lb | 75–100 | 18–19 | 250 |
| 100 people | 100–150 lb | 150–200 | 35–38 | 500 |
Your shopping list
Summary
Shopping List
Estimated quantities - adjust serving tiers or edit package sizes if your local products differ.
| Item | Cost |
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How estimates work
Where do the quantities come from?
We use standard catering formulas based on guest count, event duration, and meal style. Each food item has per-person serving sizes calibrated for adults, teens, and children. Quantities are estimates - actual consumption varies with appetite, weather, and event flow.
Can I adjust the numbers?
Yes. You can switch between Conservative, Standard, and Generous serving levels. You can also click "adjust" on any shopping list item to change the package size or price to match your local store.
Is this free?
Yes. PartyPrepList is free to use. No account required, no subscription. We may add advertising in the future to cover costs, but the tool itself will remain free.
How much food do I need for 20 people?
For 20 adults at a full meal, plan about 30 burger patties or 6 large pizzas, plus 2 to 3 side dishes, drinks, dessert and supplies. Use the calculator above for exact package counts.
How many pizzas do I need for 20 people?
Plan 2 to 3 slices per adult. A large pizza has 8 slices, so 20 adults need about 6 large pizzas, or 5 when you are serving filling sides.
What is a good food estimate for a party?
A practical estimate is one main serving per adult, about a third of a pound of sides per person, two drinks per person for every two hours, and one dessert per guest.
How much food for 100 people?
For 100 adults at a full meal, plan about 100 to 150 pounds of total food, with multiple mains, 4 to 6 side dishes, drinks, dessert and supplies. The calculator converts that into exact package counts.
How many drinks for a party of 50?
For 50 adults at a four-hour party, plan about 250 total drinks, or about 5 per adult. Split that across soda, water and any beer or wine.