Calculators
How Much Ice for a Party?
Ice counts every guest for chilling and serving. This preset uses 100 guests with warmer-weather ice allowance (2 lb per guest) alongside standard food and drink rows.
Use the controls below to change headcount or dial ice to 1.5 lb. Bag counts round up in the checklist.
Estimates only. Ice split is printed in the assumptions block.
100 guests · 3 hours · Full bar · 75 drinking · 25 not drinking
| Category | Needed | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | 120 drinks | 5 cases |
| Wine | 90 drinks | 18 × 750 ml |
| Spirits | 90 drinks | 6 × 750 ml |
| Main protein (cooked serve) | 33.0 lb cooked | 33.0 lb on the plate |
| Main protein (raw purchase) | 33.0 lb cooked | 48 lb raw at the store |
| Sides | 50.0 lb total | 50 lb |
| Appetizers | 1200 pieces | 1200 pieces |
| Dessert | 110.0 servings | 111 servings |
Assumptions
- Drinking share: 75% of headcount (75 drinking guests)
- Duration: 3 hours → 4 drinks per drinking guest
- Bar split: 40% beer, 30% wine, 30% spirits
- Pour sizes: 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz spirits, 4 oz sparkling
- Ice: 2 lb per guest (60% chilling, 40% serving)
- Mixers: 2 L per 750 ml spirits bottle
- Main protein: 0.33 lb cooked per guest
- Raw purchase weight: cooked ÷ 0.7 shrink factor
- Sides: 2 × 0.25 lb per guest
- Appetizers: 6 pieces first hour, 3 per hour after
- Dessert: 1.1 servings per guest
Supplies checklist
- Ice — 10 bags (20 lb each)
- Cups — 200 (2 per guest)
- Napkins — 300 (3 per guest)
- Mixers — 12 L
- Garnish (citrus, olives, cherries)
- Serving utensils and bar tools
- Coolers and ice tubs
Estimates only. Adjust the per-guest rates for your crowd.
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