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Party food calculator (snacks, sweets, cake)

Find out how many snacks and sweets, and how much cake, to prepare by guest count.

Savory snacks (units)
248
Sweets (units)140
Cake2.8 kg

Estimate: ~10 savory and 5 sweet per adult, 100 g of cake per person.

How the calculation works

The calculator sizes savory snacks, sweets and cake by the number of guests, using party averages:

  • Savory snacks: ~10 per adult (~6 per child)
  • Sweets: ~5 per adult (~4 per child)
  • Cake: ~100 g per person

Step-by-step example

A party with 20 adults and 10 children:

  • Savory: 20×10 + 10×6 = 260
  • Sweets: 140
  • Cake: 30 × 100 g = 3 kg

Examples

  • 15 adults: ~150 savory, ~75 sweets, 1.5 kg of cake.
  • Near dinner, add ~30% to savory snacks.

Frequently asked questions

What if it is near dinner?

Increase savory snacks by ~30%, as people eat more.

How many types of snacks and sweets?

For variety without waste, 4–6 savory types and 3–4 sweet types usually work.

Should I order extra?

A ~10% buffer avoids trouble if last-minute guests show up.

How many savoury snacks per person?

It depends on the event: 8–10 per adult at a children's party, 6–8 with dinner served, 12–15 at a cocktail party and 15–20 at a wedding reception.

How much cake should I order?

About 100 g per guest — 3 kg for 30 people. Reduce slightly with a large dessert table.

More variety or more quantity?

Four to six well-stocked options beat twelve scarce ones. With too much variety people sample everything and total consumption rises.

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Updated on June 18, 2026 · by Rafael Rossi · Methodology & sources