Cake Servings Calculator
Work out how many people your cake feeds from the pan size and how generously you slice.
Cake Servings Calculator
How many people does your cake feed?
Cake Serving Chart
Servings for two-layer cakes in common pans:
| Pan | Party Slices | Wedding Slices |
|---|---|---|
| 6" round | 9 | 14 |
| 8" round | 16 | 25 |
| 9" round | 21 | 31 |
| 10" round | 26 | 39 |
| 12" round | 37 | 56 |
| 8" square | 21 | 32 |
| 9" square | 27 | 40 |
| 9" × 13" sheet | 39 | 58 |
| 11" × 15" sheet | 55 | 82 |
| 12" × 18" half sheet | 72 | 108 |
Baking in a different pan than the recipe calls for? Use the cake pan converter to scale the batter, and the recipe scaler to adjust ingredient amounts.
How to Cut a Cake for Maximum Servings
Cut a Grid, Not Wedges
For cakes 10 inches and up, slice a 2-inch-deep ring around the edge into pieces, then keep working inward ring by ring instead of cutting wedges to the center.
Use a Hot, Clean Knife
Dip a thin knife in hot water and wipe it between cuts. Clean cuts stop the slices from compressing, so the planned count actually materializes.
Chill Before Cutting
A cake chilled for 15-30 minutes slices far more neatly than a room-temperature one — especially with soft frostings and fillings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people does an 8-inch round cake serve?
A two-layer 8-inch round cake serves about 16 with party slices (1½" × 2") or 25 with slender wedding slices (1" × 2"). A single-layer 8-inch cake serves about half that.
What is the difference between party and wedding servings?
Slice width. Both are cut 2 inches deep from a two-layer cake, but party slices are 1½ inches wide while wedding slices are 1 inch. Caterers quote wedding servings because the slimmer slice stretches the same cake about 50% further.
How many does a 9×13 sheet cake serve?
A two-layer 9×13 serves about 39 party slices. The more common single-layer 9×13 snack cake serves 15-20 with generous 2×3-inch pieces, or up to 24 with 2×2-inch pieces.
How is the number of cake servings calculated?
Divide the pan's surface area by the slice footprint. An 8-inch round is about 50 square inches; at 3 square inches per party slice that's 16 servings. It's geometry, which is why doubling a pan's diameter roughly quadruples the servings.
How much cake do I need per guest?
Plan one party slice per guest, and round up — a couple of extra servings cover seconds and uneven cutting. For dessert-table events with other sweets, wedding-size slices are plenty.