Everything is worked out in your browser and saved on this device for next time.
About the turkey calculator
Type how many people are coming. The calculator tells you how big a turkey to buy, how many days to thaw it in the fridge, how long to thaw it in cold water, and how long to roast it at 325 °F (163 °C).
The roasting times come from the USDA chart for a whole turkey. A table shows the times for every size, stuffed and not stuffed. US Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, 26 November — so start planning early.
Features
- Turkey size — how big a turkey to buy for your guests
- Three appetites — Just the meal, A normal amount or Plenty of leftovers
- Thawing times — days in the fridge, and hours in cold water
- Roasting time — at 325 °F (163 °C), from the USDA chart
- Stuffed or not — tick The turkey is stuffed; the table shows both times for every size
- Done and rest — the safe inside temperature and the time to rest before carving
- Pounds or kg — change the Unit under More options
- Private — it works in your browser, nothing is uploaded, and your settings are saved on this device
How to use it
- Type the Number of guests, or tap one of the Guests buttons: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 or 20
- Choose How much: Just the meal, A normal amount or Plenty of leftovers
- Open More options to change the Unit (pounds or kg), or tick The turkey is stuffed
- Read the turkey size, the thawing time and the roasting time in the result
- Use Copy to copy the result, or Start again to clear everything
Example
The tool opens with 8 guests and A normal amount.
- Turkey to buy: 8 × 1.25 lb = 10 lb (4.5 kg), whole, with bones
- Roasting time at 325 °F, not stuffed: 2 h 45 min – 3 h
- Thawing in the fridge: 3 days
- Thawing in cold water: 5 h (change the water every 30 minutes)
- It is done when the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 °F (74 °C)
- Let it rest 20–30 minutes before carving
For Thanksgiving on Thursday, 26 November, put this turkey in the fridge to thaw by Monday, 23 November.
What size turkey to buy
The calculator uses 1 lb per guest (just the meal), 1.25 lb (a normal amount) or 1.5 lb (plenty of leftovers). It never goes below 8 lb, the smallest whole turkey in the chart.
| Guests | Just the meal | A normal amount | Plenty of leftovers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 8 lb | 8 lb | 8 lb |
| 6 | 8 lb | 8 lb | 9 lb |
| 8 | 8 lb | 10 lb | 12 lb |
| 10 | 10 lb | 13 lb | 15 lb |
| 12 | 12 lb | 15 lb | 18 lb |
| 16 | 16 lb | 20 lb | 24 lb |
| 20 | 20 lb | 25 lb | 30 lb |
Roasting times at 325 °F (163 °C)
| Turkey weight | Not stuffed | Stuffed |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 lb (3.6–5.4 kg) | 2 h 45 min – 3 h | 3 h – 3 h 30 min |
| 12–14 lb (5.4–6.4 kg) | 3 h – 3 h 45 min | 3 h 30 min – 4 h |
| 14–18 lb (6.4–8.2 kg) | 3 h 45 min – 4 h 15 min | 4 h – 4 h 15 min |
| 18–20 lb (8.2–9.1 kg) | 4 h 15 min – 4 h 30 min | 4 h 15 min – 4 h 45 min |
| 20–24 lb (9.1–10.9 kg) | 4 h 30 min – 5 h | 4 h 45 min – 5 h 15 min |
Thawing time for Thanksgiving 2026
In the fridge, allow 1 day for every 4 lb. In cold water, allow 30 minutes per lb.
| Turkey | Days in the fridge | Put it in the fridge by | Cold water |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | 3 | Monday, 23 November | 5 h |
| 12 lb | 3 | Monday, 23 November | 6 h |
| 15 lb | 4 | Sunday, 22 November | 7 h 30 min |
| 20 lb | 5 | Saturday, 21 November | 10 h |
| 24 lb | 6 | Friday, 20 November | 12 h |
Frequently asked questions
How much turkey do I need per person?
About 1 lb per person of whole turkey with bones. Take 1.5 lb per person if you want leftovers. Children eat less.
How long do I cook a turkey?
At 325 °F (163 °C), a 12 lb turkey takes about 2 h 45 min – 3 h, and a 20 lb turkey about 4 h 15 min – 4 h 30 min (not stuffed). Use the table above, and check with a meat thermometer.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
In the fridge, about 1 day for every 4 lb — so 5 days for a 20 lb turkey. In cold water, about 30 minutes per lb. Change the water every 30 minutes.
How do I know the turkey is done?
Put a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh. The turkey is done at 165 °F (74 °C). If it is stuffed, the middle of the stuffing must reach 165 °F too.
What if I have more than 20 guests?
For more than 24 lb (11 kg), think about two smaller turkeys. They cook more evenly and fit in the oven better.
Is the time exact?
No. Ovens and turkeys vary. The times are a guide. Always check the temperature with a meat thermometer.
Good to know
- Your choices are saved only in this browser
- Nothing you type is sent anywhere
- A stuffed turkey takes longer to roast
- Times are for a whole turkey in a normal oven at 325 °F (163 °C)
Related tools
- Recipe Scaler — make your side dishes for more guests
- Oven Temperature Converter — °F, °C and gas mark
- Meal Planner — plan the holiday meals
- Seating Chart Maker — plan where your guests sit
- Countdown to Date — count down to the big day
