# Party Drink Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/food/party-drinks/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The party drink calculator estimates how many drinks, bottles of wine and ice to buy for an event from the number of guests and the event length, using a rule of about two drinks in the first hour and one per hour after.

## Inputs

- Guests
- Event length (h, min, days)
- Share drinking wine (%)
- Share drinking beer (%)

## Results

- Total drinks
- Wine bottles (5 glasses each)
- Beers
- Soft drinks / mixers
- Ice

## Formula

```
Drinks ≈ guests × (2 + (hours − 1))
```

## Explanation

Running out spoils a party; this rule of thumb from event planners gives a sensible starting estimate.

### How to use the Party Drink Calculator

- **Guests**
- **Event length**
- **Share drinking wine**
- **Share drinking beer**

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

### How it works

Guests multiplied by expected drinks per person give the total, which is split by drink preferences.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterGuestsA numberEvent lengthUnits: h, min, daysShare drinking wineIn %Share drinking beerIn %

### What each result means

- **Total drinks** = [Guests]×(2 + max([Event length] - 1, 0))
- **Wine bottles (5 glasses each)** = ceil([Total drinks]×[Share drinking wine]÷100÷5)
- **Beers** = ceil([Total drinks]×[Share drinking beer]÷100)
- **Soft drinks / mixers** = ceil([Total drinks]×(100 - [Share drinking wine] - [Share drinking beer])÷100)
- **Ice** = [Guests]×0.5

### Example values

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

GuestsTotal drinks2512537.51885025062.531375375100500

## Worked example

Inputs — Guests: 50; Event length: 4 h; Share drinking wine: 40 %; Share drinking beer: 35 %.

Results — **Total drinks = 250**; Wine bottles (5 glasses each) = 20; Beers = 88; Soft drinks / mixers = 63; Ice = 25 kg.

## FAQ

**Should I plan non-alcoholic options?**
Yes, always provide water and alcohol-free drinks.

**How much ice?**
Roughly 0.5 kg (1 lb) per guest, more in hot weather.

**What formula does the Party Drink Calculator use?**
Drinks ≈ guests × (2 + (hours − 1)).