How Much Coffee for a Party?

Plan 1.5 cups per person for a morning event or dessert course. A gallon of brewed coffee pours 16 8-oz cups, and a pound of ground coffee brews about 45 cups.

About 25–30% of coffee drinkers will ask for decaf — brew a small second urn rather than fielding the question all night.

Adjusting for your crowd: kids eat about two-thirds of adult portions; knock 25% off any single item when several mains share the table; add 25% for teenagers and big appetites. When in doubt, round up on the cheap items (buns, chips, ice) and stay exact on the expensive ones.