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Party Supply Calculator

You're at Target staring at party supplies wondering how many packs of plates you actually need. This calculator does the math: plates, cups, napkins, utensils, tablecloths, and serving pieces — all based on your exact guest count. No more buying 3 packs and hoping for the best.

Written by Baljeet Aulakh | Last updated February 2026

Quick Answer

Plan 3 plates, 3 cups, and 5 napkins per guest. A 50-person party needs roughly 150 plates, 150 cups, 250 napkins, 75 lbs ice, and 6 tablecloths. Supply costs range from $45–120 depending on quality. Use the free calculator below for a personalized breakdown with a printable shopping list.

3
Plates/Person
3
Cups/Person
5
Napkins/Person
1.5 lbs
Ice/Person
30
10 guests200 guests
+
= 30

How Many Party Supplies Do You Need by Guest Count?

Quick reference table for common party sizes. These are baseline quantities — the calculator above adjusts for setting, meal style, and budget.

Item25 Guests50 Guests75 Guests100 Guests
Dinner Plates50100150200
Cups75150225300
Cocktail Napkins125250375500
Forks50100150200
Tablecloths471013
Ice (lbs)3875113150
Balloons75150225300
Favor Bags255075100
Trash Bags35810

Pro Tip

You need exactly 3 plates, 3 cups, and 5 napkins per kid. Yes, 5 — they're going to drop at least 2. Buy one extra pack of everything as insurance. Dollar Tree is your best friend for solid-color tableware — themed plates cost 3x more and end up in the trash anyway.

Get Your Complete Party Shopping List

Plates and cups are covered — but you'll also need decorations, food, activities, and favors. A free Party Genius plan gives you one shopping list for everything, organized by store, with real prices.

Build My Shopping List

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many plates do I need per person at a party?

Plan for 2-3 plates per person — one for the main course and one for dessert, with extras for seconds. For a buffet-style party, add 15% more since guests grab fresh plates for refills. For snack-only parties, 1-2 plates per person is enough.

How much ice do I need for 100 guests?

Plan for 1.5 pounds of ice per guest, so 150 lbs for 100 guests. For outdoor summer parties, increase to 2-2.5 lbs per person (200-250 lbs total). Buy bagged ice from warehouse stores — it is the cheapest option at roughly $2 per 10-lb bag.

What supplies do I need for a kids birthday party?

Essential supplies: plates (2 per child), cups (3-4 per child, they lose them), napkins (5 per child — they make messes), forks and spoons, tablecloths, a birthday banner, balloons, favor bags, and plenty of trash bags. Skip knives for young kids and use smaller dessert plates instead of full dinner plates.

How do I calculate drinks for a large party?

Plan 2 water bottles and 2 soft drinks per adult, plus 2 juice boxes per child. For evening or outdoor parties, increase by 20%. A 100-person party needs roughly 200 water bottles, 200 sodas, and 150 lbs of ice. Buy in bulk from Costco or Sam's Club to save 30-40%.

What is the cheapest way to buy bulk party supplies?

Dollar stores offer the best value for basic tableware (plates, cups, napkins, utensils) at $1-2 per pack. For themed supplies, Amazon bulk packs beat party stores by 20-30%. Buy ice and beverages from warehouse stores. Mix themed items (cake plates, banner) with plain basics to save 40% while still looking festive.

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