how many pounds of potatoes for 12 people

Plan on about 6 to 9 pounds of potatoes total for 12 people , depending on how you’re serving them and how hearty you want portions to be.

Quick Scoop

For a typical dinner where potatoes are a side (mashed, roasted, or boiled), most guides suggest about 1/2 to 3/4 pound of potatoes per person, which comes out to 6–9 pounds for 12 guests. If you love generous portions of mashed potatoes, using closer to 3/4 pound per person (around 9 pounds total) is a safe bet.

If potatoes are a main feature (like a baked potato bar), you can go a bit higher, around 1 pound per person, or roughly 12 pounds for 12 people. Many hosting guides also recommend buying a little extra so you don’t run out and can enjoy leftovers.🡪 So for 12 people, choosing 8–10 pounds hits a comfortable middle ground with some wiggle room.

By Potato Dish Type

Here’s how that breaks down based on what you’re making:

• Mashed potatoes :
  • 3/4–1 pound per person as a side → about 9–12 pounds for 12.

* Heavier holiday-style meals lean toward the higher end.

• Roasted potatoes :
  • About 1/2 pound per person → around 6 pounds total for 12 people.

* This lines up with many crowd-planning charts.

• Baked potatoes :
  • Roughly one large 1/2‑pound potato per person → about 6 pounds for 12.

* Add a couple extra if you want guaranteed seconds.

Simple Rule You Can Reuse

A handy rule of thumb many hosts use is:

“About 1/2 pound of potatoes per person for a side dish, more like 3/4–1 pound if people really love potatoes or it’s a holiday meal.”

So if your question is “how many pounds of potatoes for 12 people?” and it’s a normal dinner with other sides, go with around 8–9 pounds to keep plates full without going overboard.