Ice calculator: how much ice for a party or a cooler
Pick a party or a cooler. For a party, Reddy Ice recommends 1 to 2 lb of ice per guest; for a cooler, YETI recommends two parts ice to one part contents.
Enter your measurements
- Bags
- 11 bags · 7 lb bag
- Reddy Ice range (1–2 lb per guest)
- 50 to 100 lb
50 guests × 1.5 lb = 75 lb ÷ 7 lb bags = 11 bags
- Use a separate cooler for the ice that goes in cups. Ice that chilled cans has had hands and cans in it.
Quick answers for common sizes
| Example | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much ice for 50 people | 75 lb |
| How much ice for a 120 quart cooler | about 80 qt of ice (≈ 90 lb) |
Ice by number of guests (per-guest amount as above)
| Guests | Ice to buy | Bags |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 15 lb | 3 bags |
| 25 | 38 lb | 6 bags |
| 50 | 75 lb | 11 bags |
| 75 | 113 lb | 17 bags |
| 100 | 150 lb | 22 bags |
| 150 | 225 lb | 33 bags |
| 200 | 300 lb | 43 bags |
Ice is the item parties run out of on hot days, and the one that is cheapest to over-buy. Reddy Ice, one of the large US packaged-ice companies, recommends planning 1 to 2 pounds of ice per person for a party — the low end indoors in cool weather, the high end outdoors, by a pool or in summer heat.
Ice for a party
ice (lb) = guests × 1 to 2 lb bags = ice ÷ bag size, rounded up
| Guests | Indoors (1 lb each) | Typical (1½ lb) | Hot / outdoors (2 lb) | 7 lb bags at 1½ lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 25 lb | 38 lb | 50 lb | 6 |
| 50 | 50 lb | 75 lb | 100 lb | 11 |
| 100 | 100 lb | 150 lb | 200 lb | 22 |
| 150 | 150 lb | 225 lb | 300 lb | 33 |
Ice for a cooler
YETI’s advice is a 2:1 ratio of ice to contents — two-thirds of the cooler filled with ice, one-third with drinks or food. For a short day out, half and half works. The weight of ice that fits depends on how the cubes pack: solid ice is about 90% as dense as water (USGS), roughly 1.9 lb per quart, but loose cubes leave air gaps. The calculator assumes about 60% of the space is ice, which you can change.
ice space = cooler capacity × ⅔ (2:1) or ½ (1:1) ice (lb) ≈ ice space (qt) × 1.9 lb per qt × share that is ice
Worked examples
- How much ice for 50 people — a backyard party, and why 75 lb is a sensible middle.
- How much ice for a 120 quart cooler — and the smaller 48 qt size.
Tips
- Two ice supplies: one for chilling cans and bottles, one clean supply with a scoop for cups.
- Buy it last. Pick up ice on the way, or have it delivered; a freezer full of bags is rarely enough for more than a few.
- Shade and lids. A closed cooler in the shade keeps reserve ice for hours; an open tub in the sun loses it fast.
- Food in a separate cooler. Perishable food stays at 40 °F or below when it is not being opened every time someone wants a drink.
What you’ll need
- Large coolerPremium price
A big cooler for drinks and ice. A drain plug matters when you are melting 40 lb of ice over an afternoon.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Galvanized beverage tubBudget price
An open tub of ice and cans by the door keeps guests out of the kitchen. Layer ice, cans, ice.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Plastic party cups (16 oz)Budget price
Guests lose track of their cup, so plan two or three per person. A marker by the stack helps.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How much ice per person for a party?
Reddy Ice recommends 1 to 2 lb per person. Use the low end for an indoor party in cool weather and the high end for an outdoor or pool party in summer.
How many bags of ice for 100 people?
At 1½ lb per guest, about 150 lb: 22 bags of 7 lb or 8 bags of 20 lb. On a hot day outdoors, plan up to 200 lb.
How much ice do I need for a cooler?
YETI recommends two parts ice to one part contents, so about two-thirds of the cooler’s capacity. For a 48 qt cooler that is about 32 qt of ice space.
How much does a bag of ice weigh?
Packaged ice is sold by weight: 7 lb bags are the common size at Reddy Ice and Home City Ice, and Home City also sells 20 lb bags. Check the label where you buy.
Related guides
Sources
- Reddy Ice — How much ice you need for a party (opens in a new tab) — One to two pounds of ice per person attending; outdoor and pool parties need more.
- Reddy Ice — Ice calculator (opens in a new tab) — 1 to 2 lb per person; at least two 7 lb bags for a cooler.
- Home City Ice — Ice calculator (opens in a new tab) — Regular 7 lb and big 20 lb bags.
- YETI — Pack your cooler like a pro (opens in a new tab) — A 2:1 ratio of ice to chilled contents.
- USGS Water Science School — Water density (opens in a new tab) — Ice is about 90% as dense as liquid water.