Assumptions behind this estimate
Approximate rules of thumb — not an exact formula. Every crowd eats and drinks differently, so adjust any amount you know better.
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Enough on the table, without buying twice as much.
Use this party food calculator and party drink calculator for a barbecue, buffet, pizza night or birthday gathering. Pick your guests and plans to get an editable party shopping list with clear, honest rules of thumb, ready to print.
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Assumptions behind this estimate
Approximate rules of thumb — not an exact formula. Every crowd eats and drinks differently, so adjust any amount you know better.
How to estimate food and drinks without guesswork
Planning for a crowd is tricky because most hosts only cook for two or four people day to day. Multiply a normal dinner by fifteen and it is easy to end up with three crates of leftover soda while running out of bread rolls and ice cubes by nine o’clock. A good party food calculator and party drink calculator starts from practical catering rules of thumb rather than rigid formulas: how many adults and children are coming, how long people will stay, whether you are serving a full barbecue or light evening nibbles, and whether summer heat calls for extra water and ice. PartyPortions shows every assumption openly right beneath your party shopping list so you can judge what fits your friends and family. Tick off what is already in the cupboard, tweak any number, add candles or birthday cake, and print a clean A4 checklist for the market.
Are these quantities exact?
No — they are practical rules of thumb used for home parties and casual catering. Appetite depends on the time of day, weather and your guests, so every assumption is shown openly and every quantity on your party shopping list can be edited.
How does the party drink calculator work out bottles?
Water is always included first (0.25 L per guest per hour, or 0.35 L in warm weather). For adults drinking alcohol, it allows roughly 1.5 drinks in the first hour and 0.85 per hour after, split across the drinks you select, while children and non-drinkers receive generous soft drinks and juices.
What happens if I choose alcohol-free or only children?
Alcoholic items disappear automatically, beer and wine options are turned off, and the adult drink allowance shifts into soft drinks, juices and spritzers so nobody runs short.
How are children counted in the party food calculator?
Children are counted at roughly half to two-thirds of an adult portion depending on the item — for example 150 g instead of 300 g on the grill, or one slice of cake — plus full water and kid-friendly soft drinks.
Is my shopping list saved anywhere?
No. Everything stays inside this open browser tab and disappears when you close it. Print the list on A4 paper or choose “Save as PDF” in your browser’s print window to keep it on your phone.