Cookout Food Calculator
Figure out how many hot dogs and burgers to cook for a backyard crowd. Enter how many people are coming and how many of each food the average guest will eat.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Multiply the guests by the hot dogs each person eats, and do the same for burgers. Each total is rounded up to a whole item.
Two hot dogs and one burger per guest is a common starting point when there are other foods too. A crowd of growing kids, or guests who arrive hungry after a long day, may eat more.
Worked example
For 20 guests, plan 40 hot dogs and 20 burgers, 60 items in all.
Questions
Do I need buns too?
Yes. Buy one bun for each hot dog and burger, plus a few spares, since some always get dropped or torn.
What if some guests do not eat meat?
Count only the guests who will eat each food, and add a non-meat option for them. Lower the per guest number to match.
Is this an exact count?
It is a planning estimate. Appetites vary, so cook a few extra or keep a backup package nearby.
More like this
- Camping Food CalculatorFood and water to pack for a trip.
- Bake Sale Pricing CalculatorSales, costs and profit for a bake sale.
- Baking Pan Size CalculatorScale a recipe to a different pan size.
- Baking Powder and Soda Swap CalculatorConvert baking powder to baking soda, or back.
- Coffee Ratio CalculatorWater weight for your coffee.
- Coffee For a Crowd CalculatorWater and ground coffee for a group.