# Meat per Person Calculator (BBQ)

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/food/meat-per-person/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The BBQ meat calculator estimates how much raw meat to buy for a cookout from the number of adults and children, allowing for bone and cooking loss.

## Inputs

- Adults
- Children
- Cooked meat per adult (g, kg, lb)
- Cut type

## Results

- Cooked meat needed
- Raw meat to buy

## Formula

```
Raw meat = (adults × portion + kids × portion ÷ 2) ÷ (1 − loss)
```

## Explanation

Planners usually allow about 200–250 g (½ lb) of cooked boneless meat per adult; bones and shrinkage mean buying more raw weight.

### How to use the Meat per Person Calculator

- **Adults**
- **Children**
- **Cooked meat per adult**
- **Cut type**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Cooked portions are converted to raw weight by dividing by one minus the expected weight loss.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterAdultsA numberChildrenA numberCooked meat per adultUnits: g, kg, lbCut typeChoose one: Boneless steaks, chicken breast (≈25% loss), Burgers, sausages (≈30% loss), Brisket, pork shoulder (≈45% loss), Bone-in chicken, ribs (≈50% loss)

### What each result means

- **Cooked meat needed** = [Adults]×[Cooked meat per adult] + [Children]×[Cooked meat per adult]÷2
- **Raw meat to buy** = [Cooked meat needed]÷(1 - [Cut type])

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Adults** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

AdultsRaw meat to buy (kg)62.8993.86124.82155.79186.75248.68

## Worked example

Inputs — Adults: 12; Children: 6; Cooked meat per adult: 225 g; Cut type: Burgers, sausages (≈30% loss).

Results — Cooked meat needed = 3.38 kg; **Raw meat to buy = 4.82 kg**.

## FAQ

**Why does brisket need more?**
It loses a lot of weight as fat renders and moisture evaporates during long cooking.

**How much with lots of sides?**
Reduce portions by about a quarter.

**What formula does the Meat per Person Calculator use?**
Raw meat = (adults × portion + kids × portion ÷ 2) ÷ (1 − loss).