Potluck calculator: how much food do you actually need?
Enter your guest count and gathering type, and get a shopping-list answer — how many mains, sides, appetizers, desserts, and drinks to plan, with dietary guidance built in. Free, instant, and no sign-up required.
Your potluck needs (20 eaters)
4 dishes · Mains
About 8 lbs of protein total (~6 oz per adult).
4 dishes · Sides & salads
Mix one starch, one vegetable, one salad before doubling up.
2 dishes · Appetizers
60 bites total (2–3 per person before the meal).
3 dishes · Desserts
One serving per person — desserts stretch further than you think.
2 dishes · Drinks
Plan 40 servings (2 per person; a 2-liter bottle pours ~8, a gallon ~16). Don't forget ice.
These numbers only work if guests actually spread across categories. A free Potluck Planner event turns this list into a shareable link where guests claim dishes — no app, no guest sign-ups.
Create a shareable sign-up for thisThe ratios behind the math
The calculator uses the standard catering rules of thumb: one main dish per 4–6 guests (about 6 oz of protein per adult), one side per 6–8 guests with a two-side minimum, one dessert per 8–10, 2–3 appetizer bites per person before a meal (8–12 when appetizers are the meal), and two drink servings per person. Kids under about 12 count as half a portion. Round up, never down — leftovers are a feature of a potluck, running out is a story people retell.
Need dish inspiration to fill those slots? Browse potluck ideas by category — every dish lists its common allergens. Prefer pen and paper? Grab a free printable sign-up sheet.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food do I need for a potluck of 20 people?
- For a full-meal potluck of 20 adults: about 4 main dishes (roughly 8 lbs of protein total), 3–4 sides, 2 appetizers, 2–3 desserts, and 40 drink servings. The calculator above adjusts these for kids, gathering type, and dietary needs.
- How many dishes should each guest bring to a potluck?
- One dish per household is the norm — sized to serve 8–12 so the math works out with fewer total dishes than guests. The host fills gaps (usually drinks, ice, and tableware).
- How do I stop everyone from bringing the same thing?
- Assign categories, not vibes. Decide how many mains, sides, and desserts you need (that's what this calculator gives you), then have guests claim a category slot — a shared sign-up link does this automatically.
- Do kids count as full guests for potluck planning?
- Count kids under about 12 as half an adult portion. Ten adults and six kids plan like 13 eaters — the calculator does this conversion for you.
- How much should I plan for vegetarian or gluten-free guests?
- Don't relegate them to side dishes. Aim for at least one meat-free main whenever you have vegetarian guests (more as their share grows), and at least one naturally gluten-free dish per category — labeled, since cross-contact matters as much as ingredients.
Now make the numbers stick
A calculator tells you four mains and three sides; it can't stop five people from bringing brownies. A Potluck Planner event gives guests a claim link with exactly the slots you need — free for your first event.