This steak cook time calculator calculates the optimal cooking duration based on multiple factors including thickness, desired doneness, and cooking method.

A 1.5-inch ribeye steak cooked from room temperature (65°F) to medium-rare (135°F) on a 400°F grill requires approximately 5-6 minutes per side, plus a 7-minute resting period.

Thick-cut Filet Mignon

• Thickness: 2 inches
• Starting temp: 40°F (refrigerated)
• Target temp: 130°F (rare)
• Cooking method: Pan-sear + oven
• Calculation: (2 inches × 7 minutes) + 5 minutes sear time = 19 minutes total cooking time

New York Strip

• Thickness: 1 inch
• Starting temp: 65°F (room temperature)
• Target temp: 145°F (medium)
• Cooking method: Grill
• Calculation: (1 inch × 5 minutes) + 3 minutes per side = 11 minutes total cooking time

Thin-cut Skirt Steak

• Thickness: 0.5 inches
• Starting temp: 65°F (room temperature)
• Target temp: 125°F (rare)
• Cooking method: High-heat grill
• Calculation: (0.5 inches × 3 minutes) + 1 minute per side = 3.5 minutes total cooking time

Steak Cooking Time Chart

High-Heat Method (400°F – 450°F)

1-inch Thickness

Doneness	Internal Temp	Grill/Pan Time	Visual Indicator
Rare	125°F	4-5 mins per side	Red center, cool
Medium Rare	135°F	5-6 mins per side	Red warm center
Medium	145°F	6-7 mins per side	Pink center
Medium Well	150°F	7-8 mins per side	Slightly pink center
Well Done	160°F	8-9 mins per side	No pink

1.5-inch Thickness

Doneness	Internal Temp	Grill/Pan Time	Visual Indicator
Rare	125°F	6-7 mins per side	Red center, cool
Medium Rare	135°F	7-8 mins per side	Red warm center
Medium	145°F	8-9 mins per side	Pink center
Medium Well	150°F	9-10 mins per side	Slightly pink center
Well Done	160°F	10-11 mins per side	No pink

2-inch Thickness

Doneness	Internal Temp	Grill/Pan Time	Visual Indicator
Rare	125°F	8-9 mins per side	Red center, cool
Medium Rare	135°F	9-10 mins per side	Red warm center
Medium	145°F	10-11 mins per side	Pink center
Medium Well	150°F	11-12 mins per side	Slightly pink center
Well Done	160°F	12-13 mins per side	No pink

Temperature Adjustments

• Room Temperature (65°F): Use times as listed above
• Refrigerated (40°F): Add 2-3 minutes per side
• Frozen (0°F): Double the cooking time

Steak Cook Time Calculation Formula

The formula for calculating steak cooking time is:

Total Cook Time = (Thickness × Time Multiplier) + Method Adjustment + Temperature Differential

Where:

• Time Multiplier: Minutes per inch (typically 4-7 minutes)
• Method Adjustment: Additional time based on cooking method
• Temperature Differential: Extra time needed based on starting temperature

For a 1.5-inch steak starting at 40°F (refrigerated), cooked to medium-rare:

Total Time = (1.5 × 6) + 2 + 3
= 9 + 2 + 3
= 14 minutes total cooking time

How to Calculate Steak Cooking Time?

• Measure thickness precisely using calipers or a ruler.
• Determine starting temperature: Refrigerated (40°F): Add 3 minutes, Room temperature (65°F): Standard time
• Select doneness target:
  • Rare (125°F): Multiply thickness by 4
  • Medium-rare (135°F): Multiply thickness by 5
  • Medium (145°F): Multiply thickness by 6
  • Well-done (160°F): Multiply thickness by 7

For a 1.25-inch ribeye, starting refrigerated, cooking to medium-rare:

• Base time: 1.25 × 5 = 6.25 minutes
• Temperature adjustment: +3 minutes
• Method adjustment (grill): +2 minutes
• Final calculation: 11.25 minutes total cooking time