BBQ Calculator
Enter your guest count along with meat and drinks per person to find the total amounts needed.
How BBQ quantities are estimated
This calculator multiplies your guest count by the amount of meat and drinks per person to find the total needed, converting meat from grams to the more practical kilogram unit for larger quantities.
A common starting estimate is around 300-500g of meat per person for a meat-focused barbecue meal, adjusted based on how many side dishes you're serving and your specific guests' appetites — a gathering with lots of sides needs less meat per person than a meat-only cookout.
Frequently asked questions
How much meat per person is typical for a BBQ?
300-500g per person is a common range for a barbecue-focused meal. If you're serving multiple substantial side dishes, you can lean toward the lower end; if meat is the clear centerpiece with minimal sides, lean toward the higher end.
Should I account for different meat types separately?
This calculator gives a total meat estimate — if serving multiple types (like burgers, sausages, and chicken), you'll want to split that total across your different meats based on your menu plan, rather than buying that full amount of each type.
What about non-alcoholic drink options?
The drinks estimate here is a general per-person volume and doesn't distinguish drink types — plan your specific mix of water, soda, juice, and alcoholic beverages based on your guests' preferences, using the total volume as a general planning guide.