Buffet Amount Calculator

Calculate food quantities for a buffet-style event. Buffets require more food per person than plated dinners.

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guests

Per Main Dish (total)

4.2 kg

Per Side Dish (total)2.0 kg
Grand Total Food14.4 kg
Grand Total Food31.7 lb
View formula & how it works →

How to Calculate Buffet Amounts

Formula

For buffets, estimate about 280 g of main dishes and 200 g of sides per person total, then divide across the number of dishes.

Per Main Dish = (280 g / Number of Mains) x Guests Per Side Dish = (200 g / Number of Sides) x Guests

Buffet Tips

  • More dish variety means less of each individual dish
  • The first 2 dishes on a buffet line get taken most
  • Place vegetables and salads first

    • Example Calculation

    Plan a buffet for 30 guests with 2 main dishes and 3 sides.

    1. 01Main per guest per dish: 280 / 2 = 140 g.
    2. 02Per main dish total: 30 x 140 = 4200 g = 4.2 kg.
    3. 03Side per guest per dish: 200 / 3 = 66.7 g.
    4. 04Per side dish total: 30 x 66.7 = 2000 g = 2 kg.
    5. 05Grand total: 30 x 480 g = 14,400 g = 14.4 kg.

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