Turkey size per person
Plan on about 1 to 1½ pounds of whole turkey per person: a turkey for 12 people is about 18 lb if you want leftovers.
How big a turkey to buy
Turkey size chart for 4 to 20 guests
Adults only; count each child as half. Sizes are rounded up to a whole pound.
| Guests | Whole, no leftovers | Whole, some leftovers | Whole, plenty of leftovers | Boneless breast | Bone-in breast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 adults | 4 lb (1.8 kg) | 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 2 lb (0.9 kg) | 3 lb (1.4 kg) |
| 5 adults | 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 3 lb (1.4 kg) | 4 lb (1.8 kg) |
| 6 adults | 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 9 lb (4.1 kg) | 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 3 lb (1.4 kg) | 5 lb (2.3 kg) |
| 7 adults | 7 lb (3.2 kg) | 11 lb (5 kg) | 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 4 lb (1.8 kg) | 6 lb (2.7 kg) |
| 8 adults | 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 16 lb (7.3 kg) | 4 lb (1.8 kg) | 6 lb (2.7 kg) |
| 9 adults | 9 lb (4.1 kg) | 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 18 lb (8.2 kg) | 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 7 lb (3.2 kg) |
| 10 adults | 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 8 lb (3.6 kg) |
| 11 adults | 11 lb (5 kg) | 17 lb (7.7 kg) | 22 lb (10 kg) | 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 9 lb (4.1 kg) |
| 12 adults | 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 18 lb (8.2 kg) | 24 lb (10.9 kg) | 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 9 lb (4.1 kg) |
| 13 adults | 13 lb (5.9 kg) | 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 26 lb (11.8 kg) | 7 lb (3.2 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) |
| 14 adults | 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 21 lb (9.5 kg) | 28 lb (12.7 kg) | 7 lb (3.2 kg) | 11 lb (5 kg) |
| 15 adults | 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 23 lb (10.4 kg) | 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 12 lb (5.4 kg) |
| 16 adults | 16 lb (7.3 kg) | 24 lb (10.9 kg) | 32 lb (14.5 kg) | 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 12 lb (5.4 kg) |
| 17 adults | 17 lb (7.7 kg) | 26 lb (11.8 kg) | 34 lb (15.4 kg) | 9 lb (4.1 kg) | 13 lb (5.9 kg) |
| 18 adults | 18 lb (8.2 kg) | 27 lb (12.2 kg) | 36 lb (16.3 kg) | 9 lb (4.1 kg) | 14 lb (6.4 kg) |
| 19 adults | 19 lb (8.6 kg) | 29 lb (13.2 kg) | 38 lb (17.2 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
| 20 adults | 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 40 lb (18.1 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
How we work out the size
These are common planning rules of thumb, not strict rules. For a whole turkey, 1 pound per person leaves little over, 1½ pounds leaves enough for a second meal, and 2 pounds is for a house that wants turkey sandwiches all week. USDA’s own guidance for a whole turkey is about 1 pound per person.
Breast meat has less bone, so you need less of it: about ½ pound per person for boneless and about ¾ pound for bone-in. Round up to a whole pound, because a turkey that is a little too big is better than one that runs out.
Above about 24 pounds, two smaller turkeys are easier than one huge one. Once you know the size, find out how long it takes to thaw. Refrigerate the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Turkey from Farm to Table; USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Let’s Talk Turkey—A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey. Times are estimates; always check with a food thermometer.
More for the Thanksgiving table
Work out the rest of the turkey plan.
Kids at the table? Make a turkey disguise page for them to color while the turkey cooks.
Questions
How big a turkey do I need for 12 people?
About 18 lb (8.2 kg) if you want some leftovers, at 1½ lb per person. For no leftovers, a 12 lb (5.4 kg) turkey is enough, and for plenty of leftovers choose about 24 lb (10.9 kg), or two smaller birds.
How much turkey do I need per person?
A common planning rule is 1 to 1½ pounds of whole turkey per person. USDA’s own guidance for a whole turkey is about 1 pound per person, which leaves little over, so choose 1½ pounds if you want leftovers.
How do I count kids?
Count each child as half an adult. Five adults and three kids is 6½ servings, so a turkey with some leftovers is about 10 lb.
How much turkey breast do I need per person?
About ½ pound per person for a boneless breast and about ¾ pound per person for a bone-in breast, because the bones add weight you will not eat.
What if I need more than a 24 lb turkey?
Buy two smaller turkeys instead. They cook faster and more evenly, fit a home oven and thaw sooner, and you can cook them together or one after the other.
Does a bigger turkey take much longer to cook?
Yes. An unstuffed 12 lb turkey needs about 3 hours at 325°F, and a 20 lb turkey about 4½ hours. Check the turkey cooking time chart and the thaw chart before you buy.