Party Ice Calculator (How Much Ice per Guest)
Enter guests, coolers and the weather to get pounds of ice and bags to buy.
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Party Ice Calculator (How Much Ice per Guest) by TheCalcTools
How the Party Ice Calculator (How Much Ice per Guest) works
A common rule is 1 to 2 pounds of ice per guest for drinks.
Add ice to fill the coolers that chill bottles and cans. A cooler is often filled with about 20 pounds of ice.
Hot weather melts ice faster, so the total is multiplied by a weather factor.
The formula
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Guests | 50 |
|---|---|
| Ice in drinks per guest (lb) | 1.5 |
| Coolers for bottles and cans | 3 |
| Ice per cooler (lb) | 20 |
| Weather | Warm outdoors |
| Bag size | 10 lb bags |
- 50 guests × 1.5 lb × 1.25 = 94 lb for drinks.
- 3 coolers × 20 lb × 1.25 = 75 lb for chilling.
- Total 169 lb, or 17 bags.
Result:
| Total ice (lb) | 169 |
|---|---|
| Total ice (kg) | 77 |
| Bags to buy | 17 |
| Ice for drinks (lb) | 94 |
| Ice for chilling (lb) | 75 |
Frequently asked questions
How much ice per person for a party?
1 to 2 pounds per guest is a common planning figure for drinks only, more if you also chill bottles in tubs.
How do I keep ice longer?
Use block ice or large cubes, keep coolers shaded and closed, and pre-chill drinks before they go in.
Sources and further reading
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.