Party Food & Drinks Calculator
Plan how much food and drink to buy for a party — appetizers, mains, sides, desserts, wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks and ice — by guests and hours.
How to use
- 1Enter the number of guests, party length and whether it's a meal or appetizers only.
- 2Set the drink mix (share of guests drinking wine, beer or cocktails).
How it's calculated
Drinks: about 2 in the first hour and 1 per hour after, per guest. A 750 ml bottle of wine pours 5 glasses; a 750 ml bottle of spirits makes about 16 drinks. Food: 6–8 appetizer pieces per person per hour if no meal, 6 oz protein per person for a main.
Frequently asked questions
How much ice do I need?
About 1 lb per guest for drinks, more in hot weather or if chilling bottles in coolers.
How many bottles of wine per person?
For a 3–4 hour dinner party, roughly half a bottle per wine-drinking guest.
Should I buy extra?
Yes — running out is worse than leftovers. Unopened wine, beer and spirits keep, and many shops accept returns of unopened bottles.