Mashed Potatoes Calculator

How many potatoes should you mash? Enter the number of people and how hungry they are. Results use common rules of thumb and are rounded up; butter and milk follow a typical recipe ratio you can adjust to taste.

Rules used

• Raw, unpeeled potatoes per person: 1/3, 1/2 or 3/4 lb (1/2 lb is the usual side portion).
• About 3 medium potatoes per pound (a medium potato is roughly 5-6 oz).
• Per pound of potatoes: 2.5 tbsp butter and 1/3 cup milk or cream (a common ratio: 1 stick butter and 1 cup milk for 3 lb). 1 stick = 8 tbsp.
• 1 lb = 0.454 kg; 1 cup = 237 ml.

Quick reference (1/2 lb per person)

FAQ

How many pounds of potatoes per person for mashed potatoes?

A common rule is 1/2 pound (8 oz) of raw potatoes per person. Use about 1/3 pound if there are many other sides, as at Thanksgiving, and 3/4 pound for big eaters or if you want leftovers.

How many potatoes do I need for 20 people?

At 1/2 pound per person, 20 people need 10 pounds of potatoes, roughly 30 medium potatoes.

How much butter and milk for 5 pounds of potatoes?

With the ratio used on this page (per pound: 2.5 tablespoons butter and 1/3 cup milk), 5 pounds needs about 12.5 tablespoons (just over 1.5 sticks) of butter and about 1 2/3 cups of milk. Adjust to taste.

See also: Thanksgiving food calculator · Christmas dinner calculator · Pie calculator · Turkey cooking time · Butter conversion chart · All holiday dates · all tools