Cooking Time Calculator
Give it the weight and minutes per pound, and it works out the total roast time and when it'll be done.
Total cook time
1 hr 20 min
A 4-pound roast at 20 minutes a pound needs about 80 minutes in the oven.
In minutes
80 min
Done at (if you start now)
4:34 AM
How it works
Roasting time scales with weight. Multiply the weight in pounds by the minutes-per-pound your recipe recommends, and you've got the total. A 4-pound roast at 20 minutes a pound needs about 80 minutes.
Different meats want different rates. A rare beef roast might be 15 minutes a pound, a well-done one closer to 30, and poultry is often around 20 — check your recipe for the right number.
Add any extra time for a sear or a rest, and the calculator shows the clock time it'll be ready if you put it in right now. Still, a meat thermometer beats the clock every time.
Frequently asked questions
Is time-per-pound enough on its own?
It's a great planning estimate, but internal temperature is what actually tells you it's done. Use the timer to know roughly when to start checking, then pull the meat at your target temp.
Should I include the resting time?
Rest is separate from cooking, but it matters — most roasts want 10 to 20 minutes out of the oven so the juices settle. Pop that in the extra-time box if you want it built into your finish time.
Why does my roast finish faster than the estimate?
Bone-in cuts, a hotter oven, or a smaller shape all speed things up. That's exactly why the timer is a starting point — start checking the temperature about ten minutes before it's due.