What This Calculator Does
Planning a holiday dinner or family gathering? This calculator tells you how many pounds of raw potatoes to buy so everyone gets a generous helping of mashed potatoes — without huge waste or running short. It works for Thanksgiving, Christmas, potlucks, and weeknight dinners alike.
How to Use It
Enter the number of guests, then choose an appetite level. Standard assumes about ½ pound of raw potatoes per person, which yields a full, satisfying side serving. Pick Light if mashed potatoes are just one of many dishes, or Hearty if your crowd loves potatoes or you want leftovers. The result shows the total in pounds, ounces, and kilograms.
The Formula
The core math is simple:
$$\text{Mashed Potatoes (lb)} = \text{Guests} \times \text{Appetite (lb/person)}$$
The default per-person amount is 0.5 lb (8 oz). About 1 pound of raw potatoes makes roughly 2 cups of mashed potatoes, so half a pound is a comfortable single serving.
Worked Example
Hosting 12 guests at a standard appetite level: $$12 \times 0.5 = 6 \text{ pounds}$$ of raw potatoes, which is 96 ounces or about 2.72 kg. For a hearty crowd you'd use \(12 \times 0.6 = 7.2\) pounds instead.
FAQ
How many potatoes is half a pound? Roughly one medium-large potato per person, depending on variety.
Should I round up? Yes — it's better to have a little extra, and mashed potato leftovers reheat well.
What kind of potatoes are best? Russet (starchy) potatoes make fluffy mash; Yukon Golds give a creamier, buttery result.
