Turkey calculator
See how big a turkey to buy for your guests, when to move it to the fridge to thaw, and what time it has to go in the oven.
Turkey to buy
—
Enter how many people are coming.
Move it from freezer to fridge by:
Put it in the oven by:
Times are approximate. Always check with a food thermometer: 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and the innermost part of the thigh and wing. If it's stuffed, the center of the stuffing must also reach 165°F.
How we calculated this
Pounds: 1 pound per adult and half a pound per kid, from USDA's 1 pound per person. For leftovers, Some multiplies that by 1.25 and Lots by 1.5. Those two are common rules of thumb, not USDA numbers. The total is rounded up to a whole pound.
Thawing: USDA's figures are about 24 hours in the fridge for every 5 pounds, or about 30 minutes per pound in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. "Move it to the fridge by" counts back the full fridge thaw from your dinner day.
Roasting: the USDA timetable for a fresh or thawed whole turkey at 325°F, by weight range, stuffed or unstuffed. "Put it in the oven by" uses the long end of that range plus 20 minutes of resting before carving, so you have a little cushion.
Over 24 pounds, USDA's table stops, so the calculator suggests two smaller birds instead.
Sources
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, "Let's Talk Turkey," reprinted by University of Tennessee Extension (W849): 1 pound per person, thaw times, the 325°F timetable, 165°F, and 20 minutes standing.
- Questions on the day: USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-674-6854.
Share this or try another calculator
- Pizza party – How many pizzas to order for the crowd that stays over.
- Aluminum can bag value – What a bag of cans is likely worth after the party.
- Truck affordability – How much truck you can comfortably afford.
Figures and sources last reviewed November 2026.