Wedding cake servings calculator
Enter the diameter or side of each tier, its shape and height, and how generously the cake will be cut. The calculator divides each tier's area by the slice size and shows the servings per tier and for the whole cake, so you can match the cake to the guest list.
Runs in your browser: nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How to use
- Choose inches or centimeters, round or square tiers and wedding or party slices.
- Enter the diameter (round) or side (square) of each tier from the top down. Put 0 for tiers you do not have.
- Enter the height of the tiers; 4 in (10 cm) is standard.
- Read the servings per tier and in total.
How it works
Each tier: servings = area ÷ slice area × (height ÷ standard height), rounded down to whole slices.
- Area: round π × (diameter ÷ 2)², square side².
- Slice area: wedding 1 × 2 = 2 sq in or 2.5 × 5 = 12.5 cm²; party 1.5 × 2 = 3 sq in or 4 × 5 = 20 cm².
- Standard height: 4 in or 10 cm. A tier twice as tall is cut into two layers of slices.
Example
Round tiers of 6, 8 and 10 inches, 4 inches tall, wedding slices:
- 6 in: π × 3² = 28.3 sq in ÷ 2 = 14;
- 8 in: π × 4² = 50.3 ÷ 2 = 25;
- 10 in: π × 5² = 78.5 ÷ 2 = 39;
- total 78 servings.
Tips
- Add a kitchen sheet cake of the same flavor if the display cake falls short; guests rarely notice.
- Tall tiers are easier to cut neatly in two layers, which is what the height setting assumes.
- Dummy tiers made of foam add height for the photos without adding servings: leave them out here.
Frequently asked questions
How many servings does a 3-tier wedding cake give?
It depends on the sizes. Round tiers of 6, 8 and 10 inches, 4 inches tall, give 14 + 25 + 39 = 78 wedding slices of 1 × 2 inches. The same cake cut into larger party slices of 1.5 × 2 inches gives 51.
What is the difference between wedding and party slices?
Wedding slices are narrow fingers, 1 × 2 inches across the top (about 2.5 × 5 cm), because they follow a meal. Party slices are 1.5 × 2 inches (about 4 × 5 cm) for a cake that is the main dessert. Both assume a tier about 4 inches (10 cm) tall.
Do square tiers give more servings?
Yes, a square tier holds more cake than a round one of the same size: its area is side², against π × (diameter ÷ 2)² for a circle, about 27 % more. A 10-inch square gives 50 wedding slices, a 10-inch round 39.
Should I count the top tier?
Many couples keep the top tier, so if you do, leave it out of the count or subtract its servings. It is also wise to plan a few more servings than guests, since slices are rarely cut perfectly.