What this calculator does
Mashed potatoes per person works out how much mash to make and how many raw potatoes to buy for a group. 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
FormulaMash needed = guests × serving size; raw potatoes = mash needed ÷ (1 − peel & moisture loss %)
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Guests | A number. Starts at 8. |
| Serving size per person (g) | A number, measured in g. Starts at 200. |
| Peel & moisture loss (%) | A number, measured in %. Starts at 20. |
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.