This calculator plans quantities for a drinks-and-appetizers party. Enter the number of guests and how long the party lasts; you get the appetizer pieces, drinks and pounds of ice to have ready, using common catering rules of thumb.
Formula
Planning rules of thumb for a party where appetizers are the meal: about 6 pieces per guest in the first hour and 4 per guest for each hour after; 2 drinks per guest in the first hour and 1 per hour after; about 1 lb of ice per guest for drinks.
- n: number of guests
- h: party length in hours (1 or more)
Worked Example
25 guests for 3 hours.
- Appetizers: 25 × (6 + 4 × 2) = 25 × 14 = 350 pieces
- Drinks: 25 × (2 + 2) = 100 drinks
- Ice: 25 × 1 = 25 lb
Limits and common mistakes
- If a full meal follows, plan about half the appetizers (3-4 pieces per guest).
- Hot days and outdoor parties need more ice (up to 2 lb per guest) and more drinks.
- Rules of thumb are averages; adjust for the crowd you know, and keep hot food hot and cold food cold.
Formula used
in n | Guests | guests | 25 | 0 | 100000 in h | Party length | hours | 3 | 1 | 24 out app | Appetizer pieces | pieces | n * (6 + 4 * (h - 1)) | 0 out dr | Drinks | drinks | n * (2 + (h - 1)) | 0 out ice | Ice | lb | n * 1 | 0
Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.
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