Estimate turkey cook time, fridge defrost time, and servings from turkey weight for stuffed or unstuffed birds at 325°F with a simple guide.

Turkey Calculator

Turkey Formula

The turkey calculator estimates turkey size, roasting time, refrigerator thawing time, cooking temperature, and servings. It uses a 325°F roasting temperature and a serving estimate of 1.5 pounds of turkey per person.

Turkey\ Size = People \times 1.5
People = Turkey\ Size / 1.5
Defrost\ Time = (Turkey\ Size / 5) \times 24 \text{ to } (Turkey\ Size / 4) \times 24
Cook\ Time = Chart\ Range\ at\ 325^\circ F
Cook\ Time\ Outside\ Chart = (Turkey\ Size \times Minutes\ Per\ Pound) / 60
  • Turkey Size: the weight of the turkey in pounds.
  • People: the estimated number of people the turkey will feed.
  • 1.5: pounds of turkey per person, allowing for generous servings or some leftovers.
  • Defrost Time: estimated refrigerator thawing time in hours.
  • 24: hours of refrigerator thawing time per 4 to 5 pounds of turkey.
  • Cook Time: estimated roasting time in hours at 325°F.
  • Minutes Per Pound: fallback estimate used when the turkey size is outside the main chart range.

If you enter the turkey size, the calculator estimates cook time, thaw time, and the number of people it will feed. If you enter the number of people instead of the turkey size, it first estimates the turkey weight using 1.5 pounds per person, then calculates the other values.

For cook time, the calculator uses chart-based roasting ranges for turkeys from 8 to 24 pounds. If the turkey is outside that range, it uses an approximate minutes-per-pound method. Unstuffed turkeys use about 13 to 15 minutes per pound, while stuffed turkeys use about 15 to 17 minutes per pound.

Turkey Roasting and Thawing Reference

These tables show the main values behind the calculator estimates. Cook time is only an estimate. Use a food thermometer to confirm doneness.

Turkey Weight Unstuffed Cook Time at 325°F Stuffed Cook Time at 325°F
8 to 12 lb 2.75 to 3.00 hours 3.00 to 3.50 hours
12 to 14 lb 3.00 to 3.75 hours 3.50 to 4.00 hours
14 to 18 lb 3.75 to 4.25 hours 4.00 to 4.25 hours
18 to 20 lb 4.25 to 4.50 hours 4.25 to 4.75 hours
20 to 24 lb 4.50 to 5.00 hours 4.75 to 5.25 hours

Estimate Rule Used Example
Turkey size 1.5 lb per person 10 people need about 15 lb
People served Turkey weight ÷ 1.5 15 lb feeds about 10 people
Fridge thaw time 24 hours per 4 to 5 lb 15 lb takes about 72 to 90 hours

Turkey Calculator Examples

Example 1: 16 lb unstuffed turkey

Suppose you have a 16 lb turkey and it is not stuffed.

  • Cook time: the 16 lb turkey falls in the 14 to 18 lb unstuffed range, so the estimate is 3.75 to 4.25 hours.
  • Defrost time: (16 ÷ 5) × 24 = 76.80 hours to (16 ÷ 4) × 24 = 96.00 hours.
  • People served: 16 ÷ 1.5 = 10.67 people.

Example 2: Turkey size for 12 people

Suppose you need to feed 12 people.

  • Turkey size: 12 × 1.5 = 18 lb.
  • If unstuffed, cook time: the 18 lb turkey falls in the 14 to 18 lb unstuffed range, so the estimate is 3.75 to 4.25 hours.
  • Defrost time: (18 ÷ 5) × 24 = 86.40 hours to (18 ÷ 4) × 24 = 108.00 hours.

Turkey Calculator FAQ

How much turkey should you plan per person?

A common estimate is 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. This gives a generous serving and may allow for leftovers. If you want smaller portions with fewer leftovers, you could plan closer to 1 pound per person, but the calculator uses 1.5 pounds per person.

Is the estimated cook time enough to know the turkey is done?

No. Cook time is only a planning estimate. The turkey is done when a food thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, thigh, and wing. If the turkey is stuffed, the center of the stuffing must also reach 165°F.

How long does it take to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator?

The calculator uses the guideline of about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. For example, a 20 lb turkey needs about 96 to 120 hours, which is about 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.