PartyMeasure
Party Food Calculator
Estimate a practical starting quantity for party food based on your guests and meal style.
Adults: 10; children: 10; 2 hours; Light meal
Your estimate
Main portions
18
Side portions
32
Sweet portions
16
Estimated guest equivalents
16
Children count as 0.6 of an adult
Total guests
20
Planning estimate
PartyMeasure provides planning estimates only. Actual needs vary by guest appetite, menu, event length, serving style and local conventions.
How this estimate works
Adults count as 1 and children as 0.6. Snacks use 6 savoury and 3 sweet bites per adult-equivalent, multiplied by the party-length factor (0.75 / 1 / 1.15 / 1.3 for 1 / 2 / 3 / 4+ hours). Light meals use 1.1 main, 2 side and 1 sweet portions; full meals use 1.15 main, 2.5 side and 1.1 dessert portions per adult-equivalent. Quantities round up.
Practical planning tips
Adjust for appetites, dietary needs and how many dishes you plan to serve. Keep a little flexibility rather than treating every portion as an exact requirement.
Common questions
Should I include children in the guest count?
Yes. Enter them separately; each child counts as 0.6 of an adult for food.
Should I add extra food?
Consider your guests and menu. There is no separate food buffer setting; increase your planned quantities if needed.
Does party length affect quantities?
Party length changes snack quantities only. Light and full meal portions are based on guest equivalents.
Planning another part of the party?
Drinks Calculator
Estimate how many drinks and litres you may need.
Calculate DrinksCake Serving Calculator
Estimate cake portions and a practical cake size.
Calculate CakeParty Supplies Calculator
Estimate plates, cups, napkins and other basics.
Calculate SuppliesParty Budget Calculator
Build a quick party budget and see your cost per guest.
Calculate Budget