Turkey Size Calculator
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Whole turkey weight = guests × lb per person — plan your Thanksgiving bird size before you shop.
Rates last reviewed: July 2026
Guests & portion size
Turkey weight needed
18 lb
12 guests × 1.5 lb each
- Total pounds
- 18 lb
- Equivalent kilograms
- 8.2 kg
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Choosing a Thanksgiving turkey size
Thanksgiving planners often budget about 1–1½ lb of whole turkey per guest to cover both white and dark meat, plus leftovers for sandwiches and soup. That rule counts the entire bird — bones, skin, and giblets included — not just the edible meat on the plate.
A 12–14 lb turkey comfortably feeds 8–10 people at roughly 1¼–1½ lb each; larger gatherings may need two smaller birds instead of one oversized turkey, which can cook unevenly. If your crowd prefers heavy leftovers, bump the per-person figure toward 1½–2 lb.
Example: 12 guests at 1.5 lb per person calls for an 18 lb turkey (12 × 1.5). In metric terms, that is about 8.2 kg — useful when comparing labels at an international grocer.
Official sources
Rates and formulas in this calculator reference the documentation below. Confirm current numbers on the source site before relying on them. Links do not imply endorsement by those organizations of Calcometry or this tool.
Common questions
How many pounds of turkey per person should I plan?
About 1–1½ lb of whole turkey per guest is a common Thanksgiving range. Use 1 lb if you want minimal leftovers; 1½ lb or more if seconds and next-day meals matter.
Should I buy one large turkey or two smaller ones?
Two smaller birds (12–14 lb each) often cook more evenly than a single very large turkey and can be easier to carve for big groups. This calculator totals one combined weight — split it across birds as you prefer.
Does this include weight lost during cooking?
No — the per-person figure is based on raw whole-bird weight before roasting. Cooked yield is lower once you account for bones and moisture loss.