Mashed Potatoes Per Person Calculator

Welcome to our mashed potatoes per person calculator a culinary planning tool that helps compute the precise amount of potatoes needed for serving a specific number of guests.

This calculation considers various factors including the serving size (typically 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup per person), potato shrinkage during cooking (approximately 15-20%), and the event type (casual dinner vs. holiday feast).

When planning a Thanksgiving dinner for 12 people, you might calculate:

• 12 people × 3/4 cup serving = 9 cups of mashed potatoes
• Converting to raw potatoes: 9 cups × 1.2 (shrinkage factor) = 10.8 cups raw potatoes

This equals approximately 5-6 pounds of raw potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes Per Person Examples

• Small Family Dinner (4 people):
  • Standard serving: 4 × 1/2 cup = 2 cups mashed
  • Raw potatoes needed: 2.4 cups (about 1.25 pounds)
• Holiday Gathering (20 people):
  • Generous serving: 20 × 3/4 cup = 15 cups mashed
  • Raw potatoes needed: 18 cups (about 9-10 pounds)
• Buffet Style Event (50 people):
  • Medium serving: 50 × 2/3 cup = 33.3 cups mashed
  • Raw potatoes needed: 40 cups (about 20 pounds)

Mashed Potatoes Per Person Calculation Formula

Required Raw Potatoes = (Number of Guests × Serving Size) × Shrinkage Factor

Where:

• Serving Size varies (0.5-0.75 cups)
• Shrinkage Factor is typically 1.2 (20% loss)
• Final weight conversion: 2 cups raw potatoes ≈ 1 pound

For 8 people with 2/3 cup servings: (8 × 0.67) × 1.2 = 6.4 cups raw potatoes (approximately 3.2 pounds)

How to Calculate Mashed Potatoes Per Person

Follow these steps for accurate portion calculation:

• Determine your guest count and event type.
• Choose appropriate serving size: Casual dinner: 1/2 cup, Holiday meal: 3/4 cup, Buffet style: 2/3 cup
• Multiply guest count by serving size.
• Apply shrinkage factor (multiply by 1.2).
• Convert to pounds (divide cups by 2).