How many pizzas should I order?
Tell us who is coming. We work out the pizzas, the toppings, the cost and what will be left over.
Each pizza drawn with its slices. Faded slices are the leftovers.
Pizza for any group, at a glance
Large 14-inch pizzas, 8 slices each. Pick your group size for the full breakdown by appetite and pizza size.
How the pizza calculator works
The calculator starts from how much each person eats, then turns that into whole pizzas of the size you picked. It counts in slices of a large 14-inch pizza, because that is the size most people picture when they say "a slice".
- Average adult: 3 slices of a large pizza.
- Light eater: 2 slices. Think lunch meetings or guests who have already eaten.
- Very hungry: 4 slices. Think teenagers, sports teams and late nights.
- Kids: one slice fewer than adults in the same group.
It then works in area, not slice count. A slice of an 18-inch pizza is much bigger than a slice of a 10-inch, so counting slices alone would over-order on big pies and under-order on small ones. The number you see is always rounded up to whole pizzas, because nobody sells three quarters of one.
What the extra options do
- Crust: thin crust is less filling, so the order goes up by about 15%. Deep dish is more filling, so it goes down by about 20%.
- Sides: with wings, salad or dessert on the table, people eat about a quarter less pizza.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free guests: the toppings plan sets aside enough pizzas for them first.
- Price and tip: add the price of one pizza to see the total and the cost per person.
The 3/8 rule, and when it breaks
The classic shortcut is guests × 3 ÷ 8. It gives the same answer as this calculator for average adults eating large pizzas. It stops working when your group is mostly kids, when you order mediums or extra larges, or when there is other food. Those are the cases the calculator handles for you. Read more in the 3/8 rule explained.
Choosing a pizza size for a party
Bigger pizzas feed more people per dollar. Going from a 12-inch to a 14-inch adds about a third more pizza. Going from 14 to 16 adds almost another third. For groups over ten, large or extra large is nearly always the better buy, and fewer boxes are easier to carry. Smaller pizzas make sense when you need many different toppings or have guests with dietary needs. The size comparison tool works out the price per square inch.
How to split the toppings
A safe mix for a crowd is about a third cheese, a third pepperoni, and the rest split between a vegetable pizza and something more adventurous. Kids overwhelmingly choose plain cheese. Ask about allergies and order at least one pizza that vegetarians can eat for every eight guests. The calculator builds this plan for you.
Ordering tips that save money
- Order a day ahead for more than ten pizzas, so the shop can plan its oven time.
- Ask for pizzas to be cut into more slices for kids. Smaller pieces mean less waste.
- Leftover pizza keeps three to four days in the fridge, so rounding up is rarely wasted.
- Check the price per square inch before choosing a size.
Questions people ask before ordering
How many pizzas for 10 people?
Order 4 large 14-inch pizzas for 10 adults with average appetites. Make it 3 for light eaters or 5 for a very hungry group. See the full breakdown for 10 people.
How many pizzas for 15 people?
Order 6 large 14-inch pizzas for 15 adults with average appetites. Make it 4 for light eaters or 8 for a very hungry group. See the full breakdown for 15 people.
How many pizzas for 20 people?
Order 8 large 14-inch pizzas for 20 adults with average appetites. Make it 5 for light eaters or 10 for a very hungry group. See the full breakdown for 20 people.
How many pizzas for 25 people?
Order 10 large 14-inch pizzas for 25 adults with average appetites. Make it 7 for light eaters or 13 for a very hungry group. See the full breakdown for 25 people.
How many pizzas for 30 people?
Order 12 large 14-inch pizzas for 30 adults with average appetites. Make it 8 for light eaters or 15 for a very hungry group. See the full breakdown for 30 people.
How many pizzas for 40 people?
Order 15 large 14-inch pizzas for 40 adults with average appetites. Make it 10 for light eaters or 20 for a very hungry group. See the full breakdown for 40 people.
How many pizzas for 50 people?
Order 19 large 14-inch pizzas for 50 adults with average appetites. Make it 13 for light eaters or 25 for a very hungry group. See the full breakdown for 50 people.
How many large pizzas for 30 people?
You need 12 large 14-inch pizzas for 30 adults at 3 slices each. If your shop's large is 16 inches, 9 is enough.
How many slices of pizza per person?
Plan on 3 slices of a large pizza per adult. Light eaters have about 2 and very hungry guests have 4 or more. Kids usually eat 1 to 2 slices.
How many slices are in a large pizza?
A large 14-inch pizza is usually cut into 8 slices. Some shops cut a large into 10 or 12 thinner slices, and square-cut pizzas have more, smaller pieces.
How many people does a large pizza feed?
A large 14-inch pizza feeds 3 to 4 people. Its 8 slices give three adults a little under three slices each, or four light eaters two slices each.
How big is a large pizza?
A large pizza is usually 14 inches across, which is about 154 square inches. Some pizzerias call a 16-inch pizza their large, so check the inches on the menu.
How many slices are in a medium pizza, and how big is it?
A medium pizza is usually 12 inches across, about 113 square inches, and is cut into 8 slices. Some shops cut a medium into 6.
How many slices are in a Domino's, Pizza Hut or Costco pizza?
Domino's and Pizza Hut both sell a 12-inch medium and a 14-inch large, usually cut into 8 slices. A whole Costco food court pizza is 18 inches and is cut into 12 slices. Chains change their menus, so check before a big order.
What is the 3/8 rule for ordering pizza?
Multiply the number of guests by 3, divide by 8, and round up. It assumes each adult eats 3 slices and each large pizza has 8 slices. Twenty guests times 3/8 is 7.5, so you order 8 pizzas. More on the 3/8 rule.
How much pizza should I order for a kids' party?
Plan on 2 slices of large pizza per child. Ten kids need about 3 large pizzas. Younger children often eat only 1 slice, so you can order less if cake and snacks are also served. See the kids' party guide.
Which pizza size is the best value?
The biggest size is almost always the best value. A 14-inch pizza has 36% more pizza than a 12-inch and rarely costs that much more. Use the size comparison tool with your shop's prices to check.
Should I order less pizza if there are sides?
Yes. When wings, salad, breadsticks or dessert are on the table, people eat about a quarter less pizza. Tick the sides box in the calculator and it adjusts the order for you.
What goes with pizza for a party?
Salad, wings, garlic bread and a vegetable tray are the usual sides. For adults, add a second salad and a dessert. For kids, fruit and a simple dessert are enough. Plan one side for every four or five guests.
How do you keep pizza warm for a party?
Keep the boxes closed and put them in an oven set to its lowest temperature, around 170°F, for up to an hour. Without an oven, stack the boxes and cover them with a blanket or towel. Have large orders delivered in two batches so the second half arrives hot.
How much should you tip for pizza delivery?
In the US, 15% to 20% of the bill is standard for delivery, with a minimum of $3 to $5 on small orders. Tip more for a large order, bad weather or a long drive. Add a tip percentage in the calculator to include it in the cost per person.
How many pizzas do I need for 100 people?
For 100 adults with average appetites, order 38 large 14-inch pizzas, or 23 18-inch pizzas. Ask the shop about party sizes and place the order a day ahead.
- How many slices in a large pizza?
- How big is a large pizza?
- How many people does a large pizza feed?
- How many slices in a medium pizza?
- How big is a medium pizza?
- How many slices in a Costco pizza?
- The 3/8 rule for ordering pizza
- How much pizza per person?
- How much pizza for a kids' party?
- How long is pizza dough good for in the fridge?