Party Food Calculator
Every host either way over-buys or runs out of food by 9pm. This calculator gives you exact quantities for appetizers, mains, sides, drinks, and desserts based on guest count, event type, and duration. Budget $10-18/person for a BBQ, $15-25 for a dinner party. Split the grocery bill between contributors so the host doesn't eat the whole cost.
$10–18/person
BBQ Budget
$15–25/person
Dinner Party
1–2 drinks/guest
Drinks Per Hour
+10–15%
Buffer Buy
For a party of 20 guests lasting 3 hours, plan 120-160 appetizer pieces, 20 main servings, 40 side portions, and 120 drinks. Budget $10-25 per guest depending on the event type. Enter your details below to get exact quantities and costs with a per-contributor split.
Event Details
Budget & Contributors
Leave empty to use estimated default costs
People splitting the total party cost
Party Food Quantities — Quick Reference
Per-guest quantities by event type, plus typical cost. Multiply by guest count and add a 10-15% buffer for variety and seconds.
| Event Type | Mains | Sides | Drinks (3hr) | Cost/Guest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual BBQ | 8 oz | 4 oz × 2 | 4–6 | $10–18 |
| Dinner Party | 6–8 oz | 4 oz × 3 | 3–4 | $15–25 |
| Cocktail Party | 6 pcs apps | — | 4–5 | $20–35 |
| Brunch | 4 oz mains | 2 oz × 2 | 2–3 | $12–20 |
| Pizza Night | 3 slices | — | 2–3 | $8–12 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter Your Details
Fill in amounts, people, and preferences. Takes under 30 seconds.
Get Fair Results
See an instant breakdown with data-driven calculations and Fairness Scores.
Share & Settle
Copy a shareable link to discuss results with everyone involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food do you need per person for a party?
For a 2-3 hour party: plan 6-8 appetizer pieces, 6-8 oz of main course, 1-2 side servings, and 1-2 drinks per hour per guest. A dinner party needs more mains; a cocktail party needs more appetizers. Our calculator adjusts quantities by event type.
How do you calculate food for 50 guests?
Multiply per-person amounts by 50, then add 10-15% buffer for variety and seconds. For a BBQ: 25 lbs of meat, 15 lbs of sides, 100 drink servings. Our calculator does this math for any guest count and event type automatically.
How much does party food cost per person?
Budget $8-15 per person for a casual party, $15-25 for a dinner party, $20-35 for a cocktail party with premium ingredients. BBQs run $10-18 per person. Our calculator estimates costs and shows how to split between contributors.
How do you split party costs between friends?
The most common approach: one person buys everything and splits the receipt equally. Or assign categories — one person handles drinks, another handles food. Our calculator shows the total and divides by contributors so everyone knows their share.
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