How Many People Does a Cake Feed?
Quick answer: An 8-inch round cake serves about 16 party slices (1½×2") or 25 wedding slices (1×2"); a 9×13 sheet cake serves about 39 party slices, and a 12×18 half sheet about 72.
Cake panic comes in two forms: not enough, and a fridge full of leftovers for a week. Pick your pan and slice size, and we'll tell you exactly how many servings you're holding.
Servings by cake size (two-layer)
| Cake | Party slices | Wedding slices |
|---|
| 6" round | 9 | 14 |
| 8" round | 16 | 25 |
| 10" round | 26 | 39 |
| 8" square | 21 | 32 |
| 9×13" sheet | 39 | 58 |
| 12×18" half sheet | 72 | 108 |
How it works
Cake servings are geometry: the pan's surface area divided by the slice's footprint. A party slice is about 1½ × 2 inches (3 in²) and a caterer's wedding slice a slim 1 × 2 (2 in²), which is how the same 10-inch round is honestly 26 servings at a birthday and 39 at a wedding. The tool computes your pan's area — round, square or sheet — and divides by the slice you choose, rounding down, because a plan that needs the crumbs isn't a plan.
Frequently asked
How many does an 8-inch cake feed?
About 16 party slices (1½ × 2 inches) or up to 25 wedding-size slices (1 × 2 inches) for a standard two-layer cake. Generous home slices? Call it 10–12.
What's the difference between party and wedding servings?
Slice footprint. A party slice is about 1½ × 2 inches; a wedding slice is a slim 1 × 2 — caterers cut small because there's usually other dessert. Same cake, very different headcount.
How do I count a tiered cake?
Add the tiers: a 6" + 8" + 10" wedding-cut stack serves about 14 + 25 + 39 ≈ 78. Run each tier through the calculator and sum them.
How much cake do I need for 30 guests?
About 90 in² of cake at party size: a 9×13 sheet (39 servings) covers it with margin, or a 10-inch round (26) plus a 6-inch (9) if you want tiers. For wedding cuts, a single 10-inch round nearly does it alone.
Does cake height change the serving count?
The counts assume a standard two-layer (4-inch) cake. For a tall three-layer or more, slices get cut thinner or shorter — you can safely count 25–30% more servings.
How far ahead can I bake a cake?
Layers freeze beautifully for a month, well wrapped. Frosted cakes keep 2–3 days covered at cool room temperature (fridge if the frosting is perishable) — assemble the day before, not the morning of.
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