Enter the weight of the item in pounds into the calculator to determine the total cooking time based on a rate of 30 minutes per pound.

30 Minutes Per Pound Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the total cooking time based on the weight of the item:

TCT = W * 30

Variables:

  • TCT is the total cooking time (minutes)
  • W is the weight of the item (pounds)

To calculate the total cooking time, multiply the weight of the item by 30 minutes per pound.

What is the 30 Minutes Per Pound Rule?

The 30 minutes per pound rule is a general guideline used in cooking to estimate the time it takes to roast or cook something in the oven. It is commonly used for large cuts of meat, such as turkey or ham, where cooking times can be difficult to estimate due to the size of the item. This rule helps to prevent undercooking or overcooking by providing a starting point for determining the cooking time.

How to Calculate Total Cooking Time?

The following steps outline how to calculate the total cooking time using the 30 minutes per pound rule.


  1. First, determine the weight of the item (W) in pounds.
  2. Next, use the formula from above: TCT = W * 30.
  3. Finally, calculate the total cooking time (TCT) in minutes.
  4. After inserting the weight and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Weight of the item (W) = 5 pounds

Using the 30 minutes per pound rule, the total cooking time (TCT) would be calculated as follows:

TCT = 5 pounds * 30 minutes per pound = 150 minutes