Portion Size Calculator
Calculate the right food portion sizes based on number of servings, calorie goals, or event size. Scale recipes up or down accurately.
🍽️ Cooking📐 Portion = Total Amount / Number of People
Number of people
Meal type
Food category
Occasion
Please enter valid values.
Formula & Reference
| Variable | Formula | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Portion Size Calculator | Portion = Total Amount / Number of People | oz / grams |
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1
Chicken for 8
8 people, protein, main course.
- Per person: 6 oz raw | Total: 48 oz = 3 lbs
- Buy 3.5 lbs to account for trim loss
✓ 3 lbs chicken for 8 people
Example 2
Pasta Buffet
20 people, pasta, buffet.
- Per person: 2 oz dry | Total: 40 oz = 2.5 lbs dry pasta
- 2.5 lbs dry makes ~5 lbs cooked
✓ 2.5 lbs dry pasta
Example 3
Salad Party 12
12 people, salad greens, main.
- Per person: 2.5 oz | Total: 30 oz = 1.87 lbs
✓ ~2 lbs salad greens
Real-World Applications
Home Cooks
Scale recipes accurately for any group size.
Caterers
Calculate food quantities for events without waste or shortage.
Event Planners
Order the right amount of food for any occasion.
Dietitians
Teach proper portion sizes for different food groups.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
⚠️
Underestimating for buffets
Buffets appear to need less but people take more when self-serving. Buffer 10-15% vs a plated dinner.
⚠️
Forgetting cooking loss
Raw meat loses 25-40% weight when cooked. A 6 oz raw portion becomes ~4 oz cooked. Buy raw weight based on desired cooked weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protein per person for dinner? ▾
4-6 oz raw for a main course; 3 oz for buffet or light meal; 2-3 oz for appetizer. 8 oz for large appetites or if protein is the main attraction (BBQ, steak night).
How much pasta per person? ▾
2 oz (56g) dry pasta per person as a side; 3 oz (85g) as a main. A 1 lb box serves 5-6 as a side or 4-5 as a main course.
Food for a party of 50? ▾
Plan 8-10 main dishes for 50 people if doing a buffet. 5-6 oz protein per person = 16-19 lbs. 2 oz dry pasta per person = 6.25 lbs. Always round up 10%.