Charcuterie Board Calculator

For an appetizer-style board, plan on about 2–3 oz of meat and 2 oz of cheese per person. For a full meal, double those amounts. A grazing table for a long event needs even more — roughly 5–6 oz of meat and 4 oz of cheese per person. This calculator adjusts all categories automatically based on your serving style.

A good rule of thumb is 2–3 meats and 3–4 cheeses for most boards. Include a mix of textures and flavors — for example, a cured salami, a soft prosciutto, and a smoked option. For cheeses, pair a hard aged variety (like cheddar), a soft spreadable (like brie), and a bold blue or flavored option.

No — children typically eat about half the amount adults do. This calculator lets you specify what percentage of your guests are kids so the total portions are adjusted accordingly. Enter the percentage of children in the 'Kids (% of Guests)' field for more accurate results.

An appetizer board is intended as a light pre-meal snack, so portions are smaller — typically 2–3 oz of protein per person. A grazing table spans 2 or more hours and functions as the main food source, so portions are roughly doubled or tripled. A meal board falls in the middle, replacing a sit-down main course.

Variety is key — offer plain water crackers (neutral base for rich cheeses), seeded crisps for texture, and sliced baguette or crostini for heartier pairings. If guests are drinking mostly wine or cocktails, add extra crackers and bread since people tend to snack more. The 'Mostly Drinks Served' checkbox adds 10% more to the cracker/bread total.

Classic choices include prosciutto, salami, soppressata, chorizo, and coppa. For a breakfast-style board, consider smoked salmon, Canadian bacon, or prosciutto with fruit. If you're catering to diverse tastes, include at least one mild option (like turkey salami) alongside bolder cured meats.

For a vegetarian board, the meat category is replaced with more cheese, plant-based dips, marinated vegetables, and nuts. For keto guests, crackers and bread are removed and replaced with extra meats, cheeses, nuts, and low-carb vegetables like cucumber slices or bell pepper strips. Select your dietary preference in the calculator for adjusted quantities.

Start by placing your cheeses first as anchors, then fan out sliced meats in folds or rolls nearby. Fill in gaps with small bowls of olives, jams, or nuts. Add crackers along the edges so they stay crisp, and tuck fresh fruits, herbs, and edible flowers into remaining spaces for color and visual flow. Work from largest to smallest items.