Turkey Size Calculator

A general rule of thumb is 1 pound of turkey per adult and 0.5 pounds per child. If you want leftovers, multiply the total by 1.5. So for 8 adults and 2 children, you'd need about 9 lbs without leftovers, or roughly 13.5 lbs with leftovers.

Plan on 1 lb of turkey per adult guest. Children typically eat about half as much, so 0.5 lb per child is a safe estimate. These figures account for bone weight, which makes up a significant portion of the turkey's total weight.

Multiply the number of adults by 1 lb and the number of children by 0.5 lb, then add them together. If you want leftovers, multiply the total by 1.5. For example: 6 adults + 2 kids = 7 lbs base; with leftovers that's about 10.5 lbs.

For 10 adults without leftovers, aim for a 10 lb turkey. If you'd like leftovers, go for about 15 lbs. If some guests are children, adjust downward slightly using the 0.5 lb per child rule.

Allow approximately 1 day of refrigerator thawing for every 4–5 lbs of turkey. A 15 lb turkey, for example, needs about 3 to 4 days to thaw completely in the fridge. Always thaw on the lowest shelf to prevent cross-contamination.

At 325°F in a conventional oven, an unstuffed turkey takes roughly 15–20 minutes per pound. A 15 lb unstuffed turkey typically takes about 3 to 3.75 hours. Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer — the thickest part of the thigh should reach 165°F.

For very large gatherings (20+ guests), two smaller turkeys (12–14 lbs each) often cook more evenly and in less time than one massive bird. They also offer more surface area for crispy skin. Use this calculator twice — once for each turkey — to plan accordingly.

Yes. A stuffed turkey adds roughly 30–45 minutes to the total cook time because the stuffing must also reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Many cooks prefer to bake stuffing separately to reduce cook time and food safety concerns.