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
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Guests | A number |
| Event length | Units: h, min, days |
| Share drinking wine | In % |
| Share drinking beer | In % |
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:
| Guests | Total drinks |
|---|---|
| 25 | 125 |
| 37.5 | 188 |
| 50 | 250 |
| 62.5 | 313 |
| 75 | 375 |
| 100 | 500 |
Formula
Drinks ≈ guests × (2 + (hours − 1))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.
Frequently asked questions
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)).