Cake Serving Calculator
Enter how many servings you need and whether they're party or wedding slices. Get the smallest tier stack that serves the count, the sheet-cake alternative, and the full serving chart.
one per guest; skip 10-15% if there's another dessert
Smallest tier stack
6" + 10" + 14"
128 servings, three tiers
Half sheets instead
2
108 servings each (12 × 18)
Full sheets instead
1
216 servings each (18 × 24)
Tier stacks that serve 120
Servings per tier (Wilton, two layers, 4 in tall)
| Size | Round, party | Round, wedding | Square, party | Square, wedding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6" | 12 | 12 | 12 | 18 |
| 8" | 20 | 24 | 20 | 32 |
| 9" | 24 | 32 | — | — |
| 10" | 28 | 38 | 30 | 50 |
| 12" | 40 | 56 | 48 | 72 |
| 14" | 63 | 78 | 63 | 98 |
| 16" | 77 | 100 | 80 | 128 |
| Quarter sheet (9 × 13) | 24 | 54 | — | — |
| Half sheet (12 × 18) | 54 | 108 | — | — |
| Full sheet (18 × 24) | 108 | 216 | — | — |
Round and square figures are Wilton's published serving chart. Sheet cakes are cut 1 × 2 in slices from a single layer: quarter 9 × 13, half 12 × 18, full 18 × 24. A stack is chosen as the smallest standard combination that serves the count; ask the baker to skip the top tier if you want to keep it.
Standard tier stacks and what they serve
| Stack | Tiers | Party servings | Wedding servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two tiers | 6" + 8" | 32 | 36 |
| Two tiers | 6" + 9" | 36 | 44 |
| Two tiers | 6" + 10" | 40 | 50 |
| Three tiers | 6" + 8" + 10" | 60 | 74 |
| Three tiers | 6" + 9" + 12" | 76 | 100 |
| Three tiers | 6" + 10" + 14" | 103 | 128 |
| Three tiers | 8" + 10" + 12" | 88 | 118 |
| Three tiers | 8" + 12" + 16" | 137 | 180 |
| Four tiers | 6" + 8" + 10" + 12" | 100 | 130 |
| Four tiers | 6" + 9" + 12" + 14" | 139 | 178 |
| Four tiers | 6" + 10" + 14" + 16" | 180 | 228 |
| Five tiers | 6" + 8" + 10" + 12" + 14" | 163 | 208 |
| Six tiers | 6" + 8" + 10" + 12" + 14" + 16" | 240 | 308 |
How the counts are made
Round and square figures are Wilton's serving chart, the one bakers quote from: two layers, four inches tall, cut in the standard grid pattern rather than wedges, which is why a 10-inch round yields 28 rather than the 20 you would get slicing it like a pie. Sheet cakes are simple geometry: width ÷ slice width × length ÷ slice length, single layer. A 12 × 18 half sheet at 2 × 2 is 6 × 9 = 54.
Cutting so the chart comes true
The counts only hold if the cake is cut the way the chart assumes. For a round tier, cut a circle two inches in from the edge, slice that outer ring into 1- or 1.5-inch pieces, then repeat inward. For sheets, mark a 2-inch grid with a ruler before the first cut. Whoever cuts should know the target number; a caterer cutting freehand serves about two-thirds of the chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people does an 8 inch cake feed?
A two-layer 8-inch round serves 20 at party size (1.5 × 2 inch slices) or 24 at wedding size (1 × 2 inch), by Wilton's chart. An 8-inch square serves 32. A single-layer 8-inch round serves about half.
How many people does a half sheet cake feed?
A half sheet (12 × 18 inches) cut in 2 × 2 inch party slices serves 54; in 1 × 2 wedding slices, 108. A quarter sheet (9 × 13) serves 24 or 48, and a full sheet (18 × 24) serves 108 or 216. Bakeries sometimes quote smaller counts because they cut 2 × 3 slices; ask which.
What size wedding cake for 100 guests?
A three-tier 6 + 10 + 14 inch round serves 128 wedding slices, the smallest standard stack over 100; 8 + 10 + 12 serves 118. Many couples order a two-tier display cake and serve the rest from sheet cakes in the kitchen, which cuts the cost per slice roughly in half.
What is the difference between party and wedding servings?
Slice size. A party slice is 1.5 × 2 inches and 4 inches tall, a dessert on its own. A wedding slice is 1 × 2 inches, a taste alongside other dessert. The same 10-inch round is 28 party servings or 38 wedding servings. Tell the baker which you mean, since their quote depends on it.
Should I count every guest?
Count everyone if cake is the only dessert. If there is a dessert table, order for 75-85% of guests; about a fifth never take cake. Kids eat a full slice, so count them.
These tools use the caterer's and bartender's planning rules (drinks per guest per hour, ounces per plate, pounds of ice per guest, square feet per seat, Wilton's cake chart), all stated on each page. They are planning estimates for an average crowd: know your guests, round up, and check what your venue, caterer and local alcohol rules require.