Turkey Size Calculator
Find the right turkey size for your guest count.
Returns recommended pounds per person with cooking time at 325°F and internal temperature target of 165°F.
Turkey size per person is a deceptively simple calculation that involves per-person serving allowances, bone weight, and whether you want enough for leftovers.
Core formula: Turkey Weight (lbs) = Adult-Equivalent Servings × Pounds per Person
Children count as 0.75 of an adult serving, so 14 adults and 4 children is 17 servings rather than 18 heads.
Standard serving guidelines:
| Scenario | Pounds per Person |
|---|---|
| No leftovers | 1.25 lbs/person |
| Moderate leftovers, a couple of sandwiches | 1.5 lbs/person |
| Generous, leftovers all weekend | 1.75 lbs/person |
| Big eaters, or a soup and a pie afterwards | 2.0 lbs/person |
Why these amounts seem high: a raw turkey is roughly a third bone, neck, giblets and cavity by weight, and the meat that remains loses about another fifth to shrinkage in the oven. Multiply those together and you keep about half of what you paid for. A 15 lb bird yields somewhere near 7.5 lbs of edible meat, which is 10 to 15 moderate servings.
Worked example: Thanksgiving dinner: 14 adults and 4 children. Children are counted as 0.75 of an adult serving, which is the figure the calculator uses. Equivalent servings = 14 + (4 × 0.75) = 17 With generous leftovers at 1.75 lbs each: 17 × 1.75 = 29.75 → buy a 30 lb turkey, or better, two 15 lb birds.
Turkey size to cooking time (unstuffed, 325°F):
| Turkey Weight | Approximate Cook Time | Internal Temp |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 lbs | 2.75–3 hrs | 165°F breast / 175°F thigh |
| 12–14 lbs | 3–3.75 hrs | Same |
| 14–18 lbs | 3.75–4.25 hrs | Same |
| 18–20 lbs | 4.25–4.5 hrs | Same |
| 20–24 lbs | 4.5–5 hrs | Same |
Notice that the time per pound falls as the bird grows: about 20 minutes per pound at 8 lbs, and around 12.5 at 24. A big turkey has less surface for its volume, so heat takes proportionally longer to reach the middle but the total does not simply scale. The calculator interpolates this table rather than applying one rate to every size.
Pro tip: Two smaller turkeys (12–14 lbs each) cook more evenly, faster, and fit in a standard oven side by side better than one massive bird.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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