How Much Turkey Per Person?
The simple rule of thumb, plus how to adjust for leftovers and kids.
The rule of thumb
- 1 pound per person if you just want enough for dinner
- 1.5 pounds per person if you want leftovers
This accounts for bone weight and normal cooking loss — it's not all "meat you'll actually eat," which is why it feels generous.
Quick reference
| Guests | No leftovers | With leftovers |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 lb | 9 lb |
| 8 | 8 lb | 12 lb |
| 10 | 10 lb | 15 lb |
| 12 | 12 lb | 18 lb |
| 15 | 15 lb | 22.5 lb |
What about kids?
A reasonable estimate is to count kids under 12 as about half a portion. A table of 8 adults and 4 young kids works out to roughly 10 "effective" adults — a 10-pound turkey (or 15 with leftovers).
What if my turkey is bigger than 24 pounds?
USDA's cooking charts top out around 24 pounds. For a very large group, two smaller turkeys cook faster, more evenly, and are easier to fit in a standard oven than one giant bird.
Get the exact number for your group
Enter your guest count once and the free planner works out your turkey size, thaw date and roast time, and keeps track of who's bringing what.
Free. No account needed to start.