Thanksgiving baking starts here — pies, pumpkin desserts and make-ahead tips. Plan your desserts

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Cake Servings Calculator

Find out how many slices a cake will give, or which cake size you need for your guests. Choose the slice size, enter the pan size and add tiers for a tiered cake.

Cake (or bottom tier)
Tier 2
Tier 3

Choosing a slice size

  • Wedding slices (1 × 2 in): narrow slices from a tall layer cake, common when cake is served after a meal.
  • Party slices (1½ × 2 in): a little wider, for birthdays and celebrations with tall layer cakes.
  • Standard slices (2 × 2 in): squares cut from a sheet cake or a single-layer cake.
  • Generous slices (3 × 3 in): large squares, for a dessert-only gathering or bigger appetites.

How the estimate works

Square and rectangular cakes are counted by how many full slices fit in rows and columns. Round cakes are estimated from their area, because they are cut in rings or wedges. Both numbers are rounded down, so the count is a guide, not a promise: the way the cake is cut makes the biggest difference.

Planning tips

  • Plan a few extra slices for larger events, or when cake is the only dessert.
  • Tall layer cakes (about 4 inches high) suit the wedding and party sizes. A single 2-inch layer suits standard or generous squares.
  • For tiered cakes, the tiers need support (dowels and cake boards) to carry the weight of the layers above.
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