Potluck Portion Calculator

Work out potluck portion instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Potluck Portion Calculator

At a potluck each dish need not feed everyone, but should cover more than its arithmetic share because guests take a little of everything. Aiming for about 120% of guests divided by the number of dishes in that course avoids both shortage and a fridge full of leftovers.

Formula

Potluck portions

portions = guests / dishes in the course x 1.2 x appetite factor

Worked example

With the default values below, Potluck Portion Calculator returns Portions your dish should provide of 10. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Guests: 24 guests
Dishes being brought: 9 dishes
Dish typeone of Starter or side, Main dish, Dessert: Main dish
Appetite factor: 1 x

Results

Portions your dish should provide: 10 portions
Approximate quantity: 2.40 kg
Serving size: 250 g
Guests your dish covers: 40.0% %

Step by step

1Values used
2Potluck portions
3Portions your dish should provide= 10 portions
4Approximate quantity= 2.40 kg
5Serving size= 250 g
6Guests your dish covers= 40.0 %

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, fees or charges 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 the 20% overage?

Because people sample several dishes and the popular ones run out first. A modest overage on each dish keeps the table looking full to the end.

Should someone coordinate?

Yes. Uncoordinated potlucks produce five desserts and no mains. A simple sign-up by course solves it.