Buy 1 pound of whole turkey for each person, which is the USDA rule. If you want leftovers for sandwiches, plan 1.5 pounds per person. A dinner for 10 therefore needs a 10 lb turkey, or a 15 lb one with leftovers.
Turkey size chart by number of guests
| Guests | USDA (1 lb each) | With leftovers (1.5 lb each) | Frozen pre-stuffed (1.25 lb each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 lb | 6 lb | 5 lb |
| 6 | 6 lb | 9 lb | 7.5 lb |
| 8 | 8 lb | 12 lb | 10 lb |
| 10 | 10 lb | 15 lb | 12.5 lb |
| 12 | 12 lb | 18 lb | 15 lb |
| 15 | 15 lb | 22.5 lb | 18.75 lb |
| 20 | 20 lb | 30 lb | 25 lb |
| 30 | 30 lb | 45 lb | 37.5 lb |
Whole turkeys are sold in a limited range of weights, so round to the nearest bird you can find. Rounding up is safer than down, because bone and the cavity make up a large part of a whole turkey's weight.
When one turkey is too big
Past 20 to 24 pounds the USDA roasting table stops, a giant bird often will not fit an ordinary oven, and the breast overcooks before the thighs reach 165 °F. For 20 or more guests, two turkeys of 10 to 15 lb or one turkey plus a turkey breast is easier to cook evenly.
What size means for thawing and cooking
Size sets the schedule. Using the USDA times, a 10 lb turkey needs 2 to 2.5 days to thaw in the fridge and 2.75 to 3 hours to roast at 325 °F, while a 20 lb turkey needs 4 to 5 days to thaw and 4.25 to 4.5 hours to roast (unstuffed).
| Turkey | Fridge thaw | Roast at 325 °F (unstuffed) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | 2 to 2.5 days | 2.75 to 3 hours |
| 15 lb | 3 to 3.75 days | 3.75 to 4.25 hours |
| 20 lb | 4 to 5 days | 4.25 to 4.5 hours |
For a full thawing table with Thanksgiving 2026 start dates, see how long to thaw a turkey. To work out the salt for a brine from your turkey's weight, use the turkey brine calculator.
Planning guide based on USDA servings guidance; leftover amounts are a rule of thumb.
Planning the whole meal? The Thanksgiving planner gives turkey size, the day to start thawing, brine salt and roasting time for 4 to 20 guests in one table.