Times are a guide only – oven accuracy, how cold the bird is and how often you open the door all change them. Start checking 30 minutes before the shortest time, and rest the turkey for 20–30 minutes before carving.
How to use the Turkey Cooking Time Calculator
- Turkey weight
- Stuffed?
- Oven
- Time you want to eat
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the turkey’s weight, whether it is stuffed, the oven type and the time you want to eat.
Tips
- Buy the turkey early and allow enough fridge thawing time – about one day per 4–5 lb.
- Always check the thickest part of the thigh and breast with a thermometer: 165 °F (74 °C).
- Let the turkey rest 20–30 minutes before carving so the juices settle.
- Make a timeline working backwards from when you want to eat.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Thawing a turkey on the counter, which lets bacteria grow.
- Stuffing the bird the night before.
- Relying only on the pop-up timer instead of a thermometer.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Turkey weight | Units: lb, kg, oz, g |
| Stuffed? | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Oven | Choose one: Conventional oven, 325 °F (163 °C), Convection (fan) oven, 325 °F |
| Time you want to eat | A clock time (hours and minutes) |
What each result means
- Resting time = 0.5
- Put it in the oven by = (([Time you want to eat] – [Longest roasting time] – 0.5) + 48) % 24
- Start checking the temperature at = (([Time you want to eat] – [Longest roasting time] – 0.5 + ([Shortest roasting time] – 0.5)) + 48) % 24
- Safe internal temperature = 165
Formula
USDA chart at 325 °F (163 °C): 8–12 lb unstuffed 2¾–3 h; 12–14 lb 3–3¾ h; 14–18 lb 3¾–4¼ h; 18–20 lb 4¼–4½ h; 20–24 lb 4½–5 h (stuffed about 15–30 min longer)
Convection oven: about 25% less time
Done when the thigh, wing and thickest part of the breast reach 165 °F (74 °C)
Worked example
Inputs — Turkey weight: 14 lb; Stuffed?: No; Oven: Conventional oven, 325 °F (163 °C); Time you want to eat: 17:00.
Results — Shortest roasting time = 3 h 0 min; Longest roasting time = 3 h 45 min; Resting time = 0 h 30 min; Put it in the oven by = 12:45; Start checking the temperature at = 15:15; Safe internal temperature = 165 °F (74 °C).
Frequently asked questions
How long to cook a 20 lb turkey?
About 4¼–4½ hours unstuffed at 325 °F (163 °C).
Should I cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
Uncovered for crisp skin; tent the breast with foil if it browns too fast.
What temperature is turkey done?
165 °F (74 °C) in the thickest part of the thigh, wing and breast.