How Much Ham per Person?
Plan holiday ham portions with confidence—account for bone-in versus boneless, side dishes, and leftovers.
Includes potatoes, vegetables, salads, breads, etc. More sides slightly reduce ham portions.
Cooked meat target
6.7 lb
107 oz total
Purchase weight
10.5 lb
Includes bone weight
Side dish buffer
4 sides
Appetite reduction factored in
Serving notes
- Bone-in hams yield about 65% edible meat; spiral-sliced wastes slightly more.
- Boneless hams carve easily and work well for sandwiches—slice thin to stretch servings.
- Plan 6–8 slices per adult and 3–4 slices per child, depending on thickness.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter guest counts
Adults and kids use different serving sizes, so everyone gets enough ham.
Choose ham style and leftovers
Bone-in, spiral, and boneless hams have different yields. Select your leftover goal to avoid waste.
Account for side dishes
More hearty sides mean slightly smaller ham portions—adjust the side count slider to reflect your menu.
Formula
Cooked meat (oz) = (Adults × 8 + Kids × 4.5) × leftover multiplier × appetite factor
Purchase weight = Cooked pounds ÷ yield percentage
Example: 10 adults, 4 kids, spiral ham, moderate leftovers → Cooked ≈ 11.6 lb → Purchase ≈ 19.3 lb (round to a 20 lb ham).
Tip: For boneless ham, divide by 0.8 and add 5% if you serve thick cuts.
Full Description
Holiday ham is a centerpiece, but portion planning can be tricky. This calculator estimates how much ham to buy by combining guest counts, ham style, side dishes, and leftover desires. It converts servings into cooked ounces and then into purchase weight based on ham type yields.
Use it to plan Easter, Christmas, or Sunday ham dinners. Adjust leftovers for sandwiches, soups, and casseroles. The side dish slider helps you reduce portions when your buffet adds plenty of options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose spiral or classic bone-in?
Spiral hams carve easily but lose more juices. Classic bone-in retains moisture but requires more carving time.
How long does leftover ham last?
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and consume within 4 days. Freeze slices for up to 2 months.
What sides pair well with ham?
Scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, roasted vegetables, green beans, and rolls balance salty ham nicely.
Can I mix ham with other mains?
Yes. Split servings between ham and another protein—halve the adult portion if you serve ham alongside turkey or beef.