How many pizzas for 18 people?
For 18 people, order 8 large pizzas. That’s 64 slices, about 3 each with 10 to spare.
plus 0 small pizzas, gluten-free
64 slices for 18 grown-ups. That’s about 3 each, plus 10 spare for whoever said “I’m not that hungry.”
Suggested delivery tip (15%, at least $5):
Feeding the whole office?
Past 20 people, compare catering on cost per head before you order a tower of pizza boxes. Someone else brings the plates.
Same crowd, different appetites
These follow the calculator above, so they change with the size and the headcount.
How we got to 8
18 grown-ups at 3 slices each need 54 slices. We add 10% so nobody’s left eyeing the last one, which makes 60. A large pizza has 8 slices, which is what Pizza Hut and Papa John’s cut theirs into, so 60 ÷ 8 = 7.5, and we round up to 8.
How to split 8 pizzas
We’d go 3 cheese, 3 pepperoni and 2 veggie or specialty. Cheese is the safe bet for kids and picky eaters, and the veggie pizzas cover anyone who skips meat. If you know your crowd, move pizzas between the three; the total stays the same.
Pizzas for 18 people by size
| Size | Slices in one | Pizzas for 18 | Slices in all |
|---|---|---|---|
| small | 6 | 10 | 60 |
| medium | 8 | 8 | 64 |
| large | 8 | 8 | 64 |
| extra-large | 12 | 5 | 60 |
The same 60 slices, divided by what each size holds and rounded up. Pick a size in the calculator above and the answer follows.
18 people, if some of them are kids
| Who’s coming | Grown-ups | Kids | Large pizzas |
|---|---|---|---|
| All grown-ups | 18 | 0 | 8 |
| A quarter kids | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| Half kids | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| Three-quarters kids | 4 | 14 | 6 |
Kids under 12 count 2 slices each, grown-ups 3. 18 kids on their own need 5.
Serving other food too?
Serving wings, salad or sides? We count 75% of the usual slices when there’s other food, which brings 18 grown-ups down to 6 large pizzas. Tick “Also serving wings, salad or other food” above to see it.
What 8 pizzas might cost, at example prices
| If a large cost (example) | 8 pizzas | For each of 18 |
|---|---|---|
| $12 | $96.00 | $5.33 |
| $16 | $128.00 | $7.11 |
| $20 | $160.00 | $8.89 |
| $24 | $192.00 | $10.67 |
Example prices only, to show the sum; a large costs whatever your pizzeria charges, before tax, delivery and tip. Switch the calculator to Office lunch and type in your price for the real total.
Ordering for an 18th birthday, a baby shower or a rehearsal dinner
At a baby shower or a rehearsal dinner, pizza is usually one dish among several, so tick the other-food box above and the count drops from 8 to 6. Bring it out after the gifts or the toasts, not before, so it isn’t sitting while everyone’s busy.
At an 18th birthday the guests all count as grown-ups, appetites included. Let the birthday person choose one pizza outright, and send the leftovers home with them.
Questions people ask
How many large pizzas do I need for 18 people?
8 large pizzas for 18 grown-ups with normal appetites. That’s 64 slices, about 3 each plus spares. If they’re nibblers, 5 will do; if they’re starving, get 10.
Can I order half-and-half pizzas for 18 people?
Yes, and the count stays the same: 8 pizzas is 64 slices however they’re topped. Half-and-half just gives you more choices, up to 16 different halves across 8 pizzas, which helps when everyone at the party has an opinion. Keep the vegetarian halves on a pizza of their own, so nobody has to pick pepperoni off a veggie slice.
How many slices of pizza per person?
Plan on 3 slices for a grown-up, 2 for a light eater or 2 for a kid, and 4 for a hungry crowd. Those are the numbers our calculator uses, before the 10% extra.
How many pizzas for 18 kids?
5 large pizzas for 18 kids under 12, at 2 slices each plus a little extra. Add the grown-ups in the calculator if they’re eating too.
How much does pizza for 18 people cost?
Multiply 8 by what a large pizza costs where you’re ordering; the table above shows the sum at a few example prices. Switch the calculator to Office lunch and type in the price to see the order total and the cost per person.