Estimate the amount of food and drink needed for a party, wedding or corporate event, based on guest count and duration in hours.
How the calculation works
We use practical rules common in the catering and events industry: about 250ml of non-alcoholic drink per guest per hour, 300ml of alcoholic drink per guest per hour (when the event serves alcohol), and a base of 350g of food per guest for an event up to 4 hours, adding 50g per guest for each additional hour.
Why these numbers are only a reference
Actual consumption depends a lot on the audience profile (age, social vs. corporate event), the weather (hot days increase drink consumption), the time of day (dinner vs. cocktail hour) and the menu served. Treat the result as a safe starting point and adjust based on your caterer's experience.
Tip to reduce waste
For events with a varied menu (many types of appetizers, desserts, snacks), the total food quantity per guest can be a bit lower than for events with a single set menu, since variety naturally reduces how much of each item each person eats.
Frequently asked questions
Does this estimate work for any type of event?
It is a general reference for social events like weddings and birthday parties. Corporate events, quick cocktail receptions or events with a very specific menu may have different needs.
What if the event will not serve alcohol?
Uncheck the alcohol option — the calculator will only show the non-alcoholic drink and food estimate.
Do these amounts already include a safety margin?
The rules used are already a practical market average, but for important events caterers commonly add an extra 5-10% margin to avoid running out of food or drink.