Meat Portion Calculator
Figure out how much raw meat to buy for a group by cut, with a leftovers option.
Raw meat to buy
4 lb
For 8 guests at 8 oz each. That's about 1.8 kg. Bone-in cuts weigh more because you're buying bone too.
Total (pounds)
4 lb
Total (kilograms)
1.81 kg
Per person
8 oz
Total (ounces)
64 oz
How it works
The number that trips people up is bone. A serving is about the same amount of meat on the plate, but a bone-in cut carries weight you pay for and don't eat, so you have to buy more of it to end up with the same dinner. That's why this tool asks for the type of cut, not just a headcount.
For boneless mains like steak or chicken breast, it plans on about 8 ounces of raw meat per person; bone-in cuts like chops and drumsticks jump to 12. Roasts are a little leaner per head because they're usually part of a bigger spread. Ground meat sits around 6 ounces, enough for a couple of burgers.
Multiply the per-person figure by your guest count and you've got the raw weight to buy, shown in pounds and kilograms. Flip on the leftovers option and it adds half again — useful when you're counting on sandwiches the next day or feeding a hungry crowd.
Frequently asked questions
How much meat should I buy per person?
Around half a pound of boneless meat per adult for a main course, or three-quarters of a pound if it's bone-in. Hearty eaters and leftover plans push that up, which is what the leftovers toggle is for.
Why does bone-in meat need a bigger portion?
Because the bone is dead weight on the scale. A pound of bone-in chicken yields less edible meat than a pound of boneless, so you buy more to serve the same amount. The calculator bakes that difference into each cut.
Does this account for side dishes?
The default portions assume a normal spread with sides. If meat is the whole show — a rib roast as the centerpiece with little else — bump the numbers up, and the leftovers option is an easy way to add that cushion.