How many pizzas for 40 people?
For 40 people, order 17 large pizzas. That’s 136 slices, about 3 each with a few to spare.
plus 0 small pizzas, gluten-free
136 slices for 40 grown-ups. That’s about 3 each, plus 16 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 17
40 grown-ups at 3 slices each need 120 slices. We add 10% so nobody’s left eyeing the last one, which makes 132. A large pizza has 8 slices, so 132 ÷ 8 = 16.5, and we round up to 17.
Ordering extra-large instead? At 12 slices a pizza, 40 people need 11 extra-large pizzas.
How to split 17 pizzas
We’d go 6 cheese, 6 pepperoni and 5 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.
With kids, or other food on the table
We count kids under 12 at 2 slices. If half the group is kids (20 grown-ups and 20 kids), 14 large pizzas will do, and 40 kids on their own need 11.
Serving wings, salad or sides too? We count 75% of the usual slices when there’s other food, which brings 40 grown-ups down to 13 large pizzas. Tick “Also serving wings, salad or other food” above to see it.
Ordering for a graduation party, a youth league or an all-hands meeting
17 pizzas is a big order for one store, so call ahead and ask when they can have it ready. Ask for the boxes to come in batches if people are arriving over an hour or two, and ask for plates and napkins if you need them.
Questions people ask
How many large pizzas do I need for 40 people?
17 large pizzas for 40 grown-ups with normal appetites. That’s 136 slices, about 3 each plus spares. If they’re nibblers, 11 will do; if they’re starving, get 22.
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 40 kids?
11 large pizzas for 40 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 40 people cost?
Multiply 17 by what a large pizza costs where you’re ordering. Switch the calculator to Office lunch and type in the price to see the order total and the cost per person.