What this calculator does
BBQ / party food planner works out protein, sides and drinks to buy for a barbecue or party, per guest. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaTotal per category = guests × amount per guest
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Guests | A number. Starts at 20. |
| Protein per guest (lb) | A number, measured in lb. Starts at 0.5. |
| Side servings per guest | A number. Starts at 2. |
| Buns/bread per guest | A number. Starts at 1.5. |
| Drinks per guest | A number. Starts at 3. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with guests
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while guests varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.