Turkey Cooking Time Calculator
Estimate turkey roasting time, fridge thaw time, and a done-by hour from the bird's weight.
Roasting time at 325°F
2h 36m
12 lb unstuffed at about 13 min/lb. Put it in at 11:00 and it's done around 13:36. Always confirm 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
Roasting time
2h 36m
Done by
13:36
Fridge thaw time
64h
That's roughly
2.7 days
How it works
The two questions that decide roasting time are how heavy the bird is and whether it's stuffed. At 325°F, an unstuffed turkey takes roughly 13 minutes a pound; a stuffed one takes about 15, because the oven has to heat the packed cavity through as well.
Type the weight, tap stuffed or unstuffed, and the calculator multiplies out the total time. Give it the hour the turkey goes in and it adds the two together to show you the hour it should be done — handy when you're timing dinner around it.
It also estimates thawing. A frozen turkey needs about 24 hours in the fridge for every 4 to 5 pounds, so a 15-pound bird wants roughly three days. These are guides, not guarantees: always check the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F, then rest the turkey 20-30 minutes before carving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a 12 lb turkey take to cook?
At 325°F, about 2 hours 36 minutes unstuffed (roughly 13 minutes a pound) or around 3 hours stuffed. A meat thermometer reading 165°F in the thigh is the real finish line, so start checking a little early.
How far ahead should I thaw my turkey?
Plan on 24 hours in the fridge per 4 to 5 pounds. A 16-pound turkey needs about 3 to 4 days. Keep it on a tray on a low shelf so any drips don't land on other food.
Do I really need to add time for stuffing?
Yes. A stuffed cavity slows the heat, so allow about 15 minutes a pound instead of 13, and check that the stuffing itself hits 165°F. Many cooks skip the risk and bake the stuffing separately.