WhiskMath

Catering Quantity Calculator

Plan how much food and drink to buy for an event — protein, sides, appetizers and drinks by guest count.

adults
kids
hours

Drives drink and appetizer amounts.

Protein
10.3 lb
meat, fish or main
Starch
9.4 lb
rice, potatoes, pasta
Vegetables
7.5 lb
+ 3.8 lb salad
  • Also plan 45 pieces of bread and 450 appetizer pieces as a starter.
  • Drinks: 60 soft drinks, 12.5 bottles of wine, 75 beers, 30 coffees.
  • These are planning estimates — adjust up about 10% for hearty eaters or open-ended events.
  • Always have a vegetarian option and label common allergens.
Save to Pinterest

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter your guest count

    Type how many adults and how many kids will attend.

  2. Choose the event type

    Pick a buffet meal, a plated meal, or an appetizers-only event.

  3. Set the event length

    Enter how many hours the event runs — this drives the drink and appetizer amounts.

  4. Read the quantities

    The calculator estimates protein, starch, vegetables, salad, bread, appetizers and drinks for the group.

Recommended gear

As an Amazon Associate, WhiskMath earns from qualifying purchases. These picks don't cost you anything extra.

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker

Cooks large batches of rice, beans, soups and proteins for a crowd.

$80-100

View on Amazon

KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer

Speeds up big-batch baking and prep when you are catering yourself.

$300-400

View on Amazon

Per-person catering guideline amounts

CategoryPer adultPer child
Protein6 oz3 oz
Starch (rice, potatoes, pasta)5 oz5 oz
Vegetables4 oz4 oz
Salad2 oz2 oz
Bread1.5 pieces1.5 pieces
Appetizers (with a meal)4-6 per hour4-6 per hour
Appetizers (no meal)10-12 total10-12 total
Soft drinks (3-hr event)22
Wine (3-hr event)1/2 bottle—
Beer (3-hr event)3—

Based on standard catering guidelines. Drink amounts are for a 3-hour event and scale with length.

Tips & best practices

  • Build in about 10 percent extra food — running out at an event is far worse than a small surplus.
  • Always include a substantial vegetarian option and label common allergens clearly.
  • For buffets, use several smaller serving dishes and refill them rather than putting everything out at once.
  • Offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and have plenty of water available throughout.
  • Keep hot food hot and cold food cold; use chafing dishes and ice baths for longer events.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need per person for a buffet?
A common buffet guideline per adult is about 6 ounces of protein, 5 ounces of starch, 4 ounces of vegetables, 2 ounces of salad and 1.5 pieces of bread. Children eat roughly half the protein. This calculator totals those amounts for your guest count.
How many appetizers should I plan per person?
If a full meal follows, plan about 4 to 6 appetizer pieces per person per hour of the cocktail period. If appetizers replace the meal, plan 10 to 12 pieces per person instead.
How much protein do I need for a party?
For a meal, plan about 6 ounces of protein per adult and 3 ounces per child. For 20 adults that is roughly 7.5 pounds of cooked protein before any sides.
How many drinks should I plan per guest?
For a typical 3-hour event, plan about 2 soft drinks per person, half a bottle of wine per adult, 3 beers per adult, and 1 cup of coffee per person. Scale these up for longer events.
Does a plated meal need different quantities than a buffet?
The per-person food amounts are similar, but plated meals waste less because portions are controlled in the kitchen. A buffet usually needs a little extra because guests serve themselves.
How do I adjust for big eaters or a long event?
Add roughly 10 percent to the food quantities for a crowd of hearty eaters, and increase drinks in proportion to the extra hours. It is always safer to have a little surplus.
Should I always offer a vegetarian option?
Yes. Plan at least one substantial vegetarian dish, and clearly label dishes that contain common allergens like nuts, dairy, gluten and shellfish so guests can choose safely.
Is this calculator a substitute for a professional caterer?
No. It gives solid planning estimates for self-catered events, but a professional caterer will fine-tune quantities for your specific menu, venue and guest list.

Related calculators

Pasta Serving Size Calculator

Work out exactly how much dry pasta to cook per person — for a side dish or a main course.

Open calculator

Pizza Calculator: How Much Pizza Per Person

Find out exactly how many pizzas to order for your group, based on guests, appetites and pizza size.

Open calculator

Meal Prep Portion Calculator

Turn a daily calorie target and macro split into per-meal portions and totals for your whole prep.

Open calculator

Grocery List Cost Estimator

Add up your grocery list before you shop — get an estimated total with a tax buffer and a cost per meal.

Open calculator

Cups to Grams Converter

Convert cups to grams for any baking ingredient — flour, sugar, butter, honey and more, each with its own weight.

Open calculator

Internal Meat Temperature Chart

Look up the exact internal temperature for any meat and doneness — with USDA-safe minimums flagged.

Open calculator

Sources: Standard catering guidelines.

Results are estimates for informational use. For food safety, always confirm meat doneness with a thermometer against current USDA guidance. WhiskMath does not provide medical or dietary advice.