This article helps you order pizza for a large party. You need to know how many people a pizza can serve, how to order pizza for a party of dozens of people most cost-effectively, and how to avoid waste. We are a factory that professionally produces different pizza boxes for pizzerias. The following guide recommends the best pizza size based on the party size.
Last updated: December 2025 | Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
This article will answer your questions
- How many people can different-sized pizzas serve?
- How many slices of pizza does one person need?
- What size pizza is needed for 20 people?
- What size pizza is needed for 30 people?
- What size pizza is needed for 40 people?
- How to keep your party pizza warm?
- Tips for ordering pizza for a group of people.
How many people can different sizes of pizza serve?
The same pizza can be cut into different numbers of slices; smaller pizzas have fewer slices, while larger pizzas have more. The number of slices also depends on the accompanying food. Therefore, we can only estimate how many people different pizzas can serve.
Taking common pizza sizes as examples: 14-inch, 16-inch, and 18-inch. The estimated number of slices for each size is as follows:
- 14-inch (medium): 8 slices, suitable for small gatherings of 3-5 people or family meals.
- 16-inch (large): 10-12 slices, suitable for slightly larger gatherings of 5-6 people.
- 18-inch (extra large): 12 slices or more, suitable for 6-8 people or large gatherings.
How many slices of pizza does one person need?
A person typically needs 2-3 slices of pizza for a meal, depending on individual appetite, the size of each slice, and accompanying food. The following is a general guideline:
The Adults:
Adults typically eat 2-3 slices of pizza per meal. If pizza is the only main course, they may need up to 3 slices; if paired with other foods, 2 slices are usually sufficient.
The Teenagers:
Teenagers tend to eat more, usually consuming 3-4 slices of pizza. For example, at a party primarily for high school students, you should plan for 4 slices of pizza per person.
The children:
Children have smaller appetites and usually eat 1-2 slices of pizza each. With other snacks and drinks, they may only need 1 slice.
How many boxes of pizza for 20 people?
For a party of 20 people, based on an average of 2-3 slices of pizza per person, you would need 40-60 slices. We recommend ordering 14-inch or 16-inch pizzas, as they can both be cut into 8 slices.
You could consider 6 x 14-inch pizzas (48-60 slices), suitable for adults with average appetites. Alternatively, you could consider 4 x 16-inch pizzas + 2 x 14-inch pizzas, totaling approximately 60 slices, providing a more generous option.
How many boxes of pizza for 30 people?
For a gathering of 30 people, assuming 2-3 slices per person, the total number of pizza slices needed is approximately 60-90.
You can prepare 9 fourteen-inch pizzas (72-90 slices), which is suitable for a gathering primarily of adults. Alternatively, you can prepare 10 sixteen-inch pizzas (100+ slices), which is more suitable for a gathering primarily of young people.
How many boxes of pizza for 40 people?
For a party of 40 people, based on a standard of 2-3 slices per person, you would need 80-120 slices of pizza.
You could prepare 12 14-inch pizzas (96-120 slices), which is suitable for an adult group. Alternatively, you could plan for 10 16-inch pizzas (100-120 slices), which would be suitable for a party including a number of young people.
How to keep your pizza warm?
No matter the size of the pizza, temperature control is key to preventing the crust from becoming soggy or dry and hard, which would affect the taste and texture. Here are a few simple and effective methods:
Using a pizza box: Preheat the oven to 90℃, place a tray of water inside to increase humidity, then place the pizza box (with the lid slightly open to prevent condensation) inside. This will keep the pizza warm for 1-2 hours.
Using aluminum foil wrapping: For longer gatherings, place the sliced pizza pieces in a corrugated box lined with aluminum foil. This can keep the pizza warm for over 2 hours. XiangGe specializes in providing pizza boxes for restaurants; click on custom pizza boxes to learn more.
Oven heating: Before delivering to the party venue, you can use a low-temperature oven (65℃) to maintain the pizza’s temperature.
Tips for ordering pizza for a group of people
Consider food preferences: You can follow a 2:1:1 ratio (2 parts meat, 1 part cheese, 1 part vegetables) to accommodate different tastes, such as pepperoni, seafood, and vegetarian options.
Don’t overlook side dishes: Salads, garlic bread, and drinks are filling and can help reduce the amount of pizza needed.
Order in advance: Especially on weekends or holidays, order your pizza ahead of time to avoid delays during peak hours.
Consider leftover pizza: To avoid waste, you can repackage it in aluminum foil for easy reheating and consumption the next day.
A team of 30 people in Shanghai had a team dinner and ordered seven 16-inch pizzas, along with two salads and garlic bread. Everyone was very satisfied with the meal, and the leftover pizza made for a great breakfast the next morning.
For more information about whether pizza boxes are compostable, please refer to our article on when can you compost pizza boxes?
Conclusion
Choosing the right pizza size and quantity is crucial for a successful party. Using the information above regarding the number of slices in different-sized pizzas and the estimated consumption per person, you can now accurately determine the number of pizzas needed for your next gathering, along with other important considerations.
Remember to order in advance and keep the pizzas warm to ensure everyone has an enjoyable party experience.
Last updated: December 2025
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