Turkey Size Chart by Guest Count and Cut

For a traditional meal, plan 1–1.25 lb of raw whole turkey per adult, then add a leftovers buffer if next-day meals matter. A whole bird needs a higher raw weight than turkey breast because the packaged weight includes bone and trim.

Whole Turkey Size Chart

Guests	Minimum	With leftovers
4	5–6 lb	7–8 lb
6	8 lb	10 lb
8	10–12 lb	12–14 lb
10	12–14 lb	15–16 lb
12	15–16 lb	18 lb
16	20 lb	Two 12 lb birds
20	Two 12–14 lb birds	Two 15 lb birds

Use the Turkey Size Chart Calculator when your group includes children or you are choosing a different cut.

Turkey Breast Size Chart

Bone-in breast generally needs about 0.75–1 lb per adult. Boneless breast generally needs 0.4–0.6 lb per adult. Use the upper end for light side dishes, large appetites, or leftovers.

Guests	Bone-in breast	Boneless breast
4	3–4 lb	2–2.5 lb
8	6–8 lb	4–5 lb
12	9–12 lb	6–7 lb
16	12–16 lb	8–10 lb

How to Adjust the Chart

• Count teenagers as adults unless you know their appetite is smaller.
• Count young children as roughly 40–50% of an adult portion.
• Add 0.25 lb of whole bird per adult for modest leftovers.
• Buy the next retail size up rather than rounding down.
• Above 20 lb total, consider two smaller birds for more even cooking.

Final Buying Check

Confirm oven capacity, refrigerator thawing space, serving time, and whether the turkey is pre-brined. Size is only the first planning decision; thawing, cooking, temperature verification, and resting determine whether the meal stays on schedule.