Sandwich and slider calculator
Enter your guests and the kind of sandwich to see how many to make, plus the deli meat and buns. Iowa State Extension plans 3–4 oz of meat per sandwich and 1½–2 oz per slider.
Enter your measurements
More options: Kids · Pack · Extra
- Count
- 83 pieces · sandwiches
- Meat filling (cooked weight)
- 15.6 lb · deli meat
- Buns, rolls or bread pairs
- 83 buns
- Packs of buns
- 7 packs
- Per adult (incl. extra)
- 1.7 sandwiches
50 adults × 1.5 sandwiches × 1.1 (appetite & extra) = 83 pieces
83 pieces × 0.19 lb cooked meat = 15.6 lb · 83 buns ÷ 12 per pack = 7 packs
- Perishable food should not sit out more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 °F / 32 °C). Keep hot food at 140 °F (60 °C) or above and cold food at 40 °F (4 °C) or below (USDA FSIS).
Quick answers for common sizes
| Example | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many sandwiches for 50 people | 83 sandwiches (15.6 lb deli meat) |
| How many sliders for 50 people | 138 sliders (33.2 lb raw pork shoulder) |
| How many people does a 6 ft sub feed | about 13 people as the meal, 24 with sides |
Sandwiches by number of guests (kind as above)
| Guests | Count | Meat filling (cooked weight) | Buns, rolls or bread pairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 20 pieces | 3.8 lb | 20 buns |
| 20 | 33 pieces | 6.2 lb | 33 buns |
| 30 | 50 pieces | 9.4 lb | 50 buns |
| 50 | 83 pieces | 15.6 lb | 83 buns |
| 75 | 124 pieces | 23.3 lb | 124 buns |
| 100 | 165 pieces | 30.9 lb | 165 buns |
Sandwiches are the simplest way to feed a crowd at lunchtime: a graduation open house, a shower, a work meeting, a funeral lunch. The two numbers that matter are how many sandwiches and how much meat goes in them. Iowa State Extension plans 3 to 4 oz of meat per sandwich and 1½ to 2 oz per slider.
How many per person
| Kind | Per adult (planning figure) | Meat in each | For 50 adults, with 10% extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole sandwiches | 1½ | 3 oz | 83 sandwiches, about 15½ lb of meat |
| Sliders | 2½ | 2 oz | 138 sliders, about 17¼ lb of meat |
| Halves on a platter | 3 halves | 1½ oz | 165 halves, about 15½ lb of meat |
| Party sub | 5 in | — | about 23 ft |
sandwiches = (guests − ½ × children) × per adult × appetite × (1 + extra) deli meat = sandwiches × meat in each sub length (ft) = adults × inches each × appetite × (1 + extra) ÷ 12
Worked examples
- How many sandwiches for 50 people — a lunch or open house, with the deli order.
- How many sliders for 50 people — pulled pork or ham sliders and the bun count.
- How many people does a 6 ft sub feed — and how long a sub to order.
Tips
- Order deli meat by the pound and ask for it sliced thin; thin slices fold and look like more.
- Make it ahead, but not too far. Sandwiches with wet fillings go soggy; spread a thin layer of butter or mayo to the edges as a barrier.
- Keep them cold. Meat and egg or tuna salad sandwiches belong at 40 °F or below until served, and should not sit out more than 2 hours.
- Sides matter. With chips, a pasta salad and fruit, people eat fewer sandwiches; the side dish calculator sizes the salads.
What you’ll need
- Digital kitchen scaleBudget price
Weighs cooked meat, cheese and batter so portions match the plan instead of guesswork.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Disposable aluminum pans (half size)Budget price
For cooking, carrying and serving sides and pulled meat for a crowd. Lids make them easy to stack in a car or cooler.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Heavy-duty paper plates (bulk)Budget price
Sturdy plates that do not fold under a scoop of baked beans. Get small ones too for dessert.
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 many sandwiches per person?
About 1½ whole sandwiches per adult for a lunch where sandwiches are the main food, or one each with plenty of sides. As platter halves, three halves each.
How much deli meat per sandwich?
Iowa State Extension plans 3 to 4 oz of meat per sandwich and 1½ to 2 oz per slider. A pound of deli meat makes about five sandwiches at 3 oz each.
How many sliders per person?
Two or three sliders make a meal for most adults; one or two when sliders are one appetizer among several.
How much deli meat for 50 people?
At 1½ sandwiches each and 3 oz of meat per sandwich, with 10% extra, about 15½ lb.
Related guides
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine) — Graduation party tips (opens in a new tab) — Per person: sandwich meat 3–4 oz, sliders 1.5–2 oz, burgers 4–6 oz, sides 4–6 oz; 1 to 1.5 lb of food per guest; soda 2 cans and water 2 bottles per hour; punch 6 oz.
- USDA FNS — Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs, Section 1 (Meats/Meat Alternates) yield table (opens in a new tab) — Cooked lean meat per lb as purchased: Boston butt bone-in 0.52, boneless 0.60; brisket ¼ in trim 0.46, practically free of fat 0.69; ground beef ≤20% fat 0.74; spareribs 0.39; chicken thighs 0.52, drumsticks 0.49, breast halves 0.66, whole chicken 0.44; turkey breast 0.64; boneless fully cooked ham 0.90; chuck roast boneless 0.63; frankfurters 8 or 10 per lb.