Party Food Calculator

Every parent has that moment at 2pm when the pizza's gone but there are 45 minutes left. This calculator prevents that. Enter your guest count, meal type, and party length — get exact quantities for every food category with real cost estimates. Based on data from 10,000+ parties.

Written by Baljeet Aulakh | Last updated February 2026

Quick Answer

To calculate how much food for a birthday party, plan 2 slices of pizza per child (3 per adult), 1 cup of drinks per hour per guest, and 1 serving of cake per person. Use the free Party Genius food calculator below to get a personalized quantity and cost breakdown for your exact guest count and meal type.

2 slices: pizza per kid
1 cup: drinks per hour
1/12 sheet: cake per guest

Total Guests

5 guests50 guests

Kids / Adults Split

Kids

Adults

= 15

Party Duration

Meal Type

Party Theme (optional — adds themed food names)

How Much Food Do You Need for a Birthday Party?

Quick reference table for common party sizes. Based on a 50/50 kids-to-adults split, light meal, and a 2-hour party. The calculator above adjusts for your exact guest mix, meal type, and duration.

Item	25 Guests	50 Guests	75 Guests	100 Guests
Pizza Slices	63	125	188	250
Hot Dogs	44	88	131	175
Chicken Nuggets	175	350	525	700
Fruit Cups	16	32	47	63
Chips (bags)	25	50	75	100
Juice Boxes	50	100	150	200
Water Bottles	38	75	113	150
Cake Servings	25	50	75	100
Cupcakes	25	50	75	100

Pro Tip

Here's what 10,000+ party plans taught us: parents consistently over-buy main dishes and under-buy snacks. Kids graze — they'll eat 2 chicken nuggets, then come back for chips 3 times. Buy 40% more snacks than you think and 20% fewer mains.

Get a Full Themed Menu for Your Party

Knowing the quantities is step one. A free Party Genius plan gives you themed food names, a prep timeline, a shopping list with real prices, and 17 more features — all matched to your theme.

Build My Party Menu

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much pizza should I order for a kids birthday party?

Plan for 2 slices per child and 3 slices per adult. For a party of 15 kids and 10 adults, that is about 60 slices or 7-8 large pizzas (8 slices each). Order one extra pizza as a buffer — leftover pizza never goes to waste.

How much food do I need per person at a party?

For a full meal party: 2-3 main items (slices, nuggets, etc.), 1-2 side portions, 2 drinks per hour, and 1 dessert per person. For snack-only: plan 5-7 bite-sized items per person per hour. Kids typically eat less than adults, so adjust portions accordingly.

Should I serve a full meal or just snacks at a birthday party?

It depends on the party time. If your party overlaps with lunch or dinner (11 AM - 1 PM or 5 PM - 7 PM), serve a full meal. For mid-afternoon parties (2 PM - 4 PM), a light lunch or snacks work great. Always have drinks and cake regardless of meal type.

How do I handle food allergies at a birthday party?

Include an allergy question on your RSVP. Label all food items with common allergens (nuts, dairy, gluten, eggs). Have at least one allergy-friendly option in each category. Fruit, popcorn, and juice boxes are generally safe choices for most dietary restrictions.

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