What size cake for 30 people?
Thirty people is close to the largest party a single round tin serves. The size below covers it, but it is worth knowing you are near the edge before you order.
The answer
24 children aged 6 to 9 and 6 adults, 2:00 PM for 2 hours.
12inch round
A 12-inch round covers 32 party slices, enough for 27. Party slices are the larger cut. The wedding column of the same chart would claim far more from this tin.
SourcedWilton
Past this, stop fighting the tin
Above roughly thirty party slices a single round stops being the sensible answer. A sheet cake, two tiers or cupcakes all serve more for less money and cut faster, which matters when thirty people are waiting. Cupcakes have a second advantage at a kids party: no knife, no queue, and no argument about who got the corner with the flower.
This is a snack party, not a meal.
The rest of the list for this party
| Amount | Item | Part of the party | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Snack portions | Food | Our rule |
| 7.5 | Prepared fruit | Food | Sourced |
| 29 | Cupcakes | Cake | Our rule |
| 63 | Juice boxes and soft drinks | Drinks | Sourced and our rule |
| 30 | Water bottles | Drinks | Our rule |
| 57 | Plates | Table | Our rule |
| 90 | Napkins | Table | Our rule |
| 26 | Goodie bags | Favors | Our rule |
Your party is not this party
Change the guest count, the ages, the start time or the weather and the whole list moves. The calculator opens on the party above, so you can adjust it rather than start again.
Where these numbers come from
- Planning the quantity food occasion, University of Minnesota Extension. Checked 2026-09-27.
- Ultimate cake serving chart, Wilton. Checked 2026-09-27.
- Beverage math: how much to serve at your event, Plum Deluxe. Checked 2026-09-27.
- Accurate food and beverage quantity guide for your guests, Occasional Occasions Catering. Checked 2026-09-27.
Anything marked our rule is our own judgement rather than a published figure. We say which is which so you know which numbers to argue with.
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