Catering Per Head Cost Calculator

Work out catering per head cost instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Catering Per Head Cost Calculator

Catering cost splits into per-head variable costs and fixed staffing. Because staffing is fixed, the all-in cost per head falls as guest numbers rise — which is why small events feel disproportionately expensive per person.

Formula

Catering cost

total = (food + drinks) x guests + fixed staffing; per head = total / guests

Worked example

With the default values below, Catering Per Head Cost Calculator returns Total catering cost of $3,850.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Guests: 80 guests
Food cost per head: 26
Drinks per head: 14
Service and staffing: 650

Results

Total catering cost: $3,850.00
All-in cost per head: $48.13
Food total: $2,080.00
Fixed cost share: 16.88% %

Step by step

1Values used
2Catering cost
3Total catering cost= 3,850.00
4All-in cost per head= 48.13
5Food total= 2,080.00
6Fixed cost share= 16.88 %

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a small event so expensive per head?

Fixed staffing and minimum charges are spread over fewer people. At 80 guests staffing is 8 per head; at 30 it is over 20.

What is usually excluded from a quoted per-head price?

Service charge, VAT, corkage, cake cutting, equipment hire and overtime. Always ask for an all-in figure.