How Big a Turkey Do I Need? Thawing, Roasting and Timeline
Part of the project planner: Planning the holidays: dinner, tree and lights.
Plan on 1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person, because a whole bird is about half bone. For 10 adults and 2 children that is a 17 lb turkey, which needs 5 days to thaw in the refrigerator and roasts for 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min at 325°F. The charts show every size from 4 to 20 guests.
Turkey size by number of guests
Pounds to buy at four amounts per person (1 lb is the USDA minimum; 1½ lb leaves some leftovers; 2 lb leaves plenty):
| Guests | 1 lb each | 1¼ lb each | 1½ lb each | 2 lb each |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 lb | 5 lb | 6 lb | 8 lb |
| 6 | 6 lb | 8 lb | 9 lb | 12 lb |
| 8 | 8 lb | 10 lb | 12 lb | 16 lb |
| 10 | 10 lb | 13 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb |
| 12 | 12 lb | 15 lb | 18 lb | 24 lb |
| 15 | 15 lb | 19 lb | 23 lb | 30 lb |
| 20 | 20 lb | 25 lb | 30 lb | 40 lb |
Count children as half. For more than 20 pounds consider two smaller turkeys, which cook faster and more evenly. For 4 or fewer people a bone-in turkey breast is simpler. Use the turkey size calculator for your own table.
Thawing and roasting times
Thawing in the refrigerator takes 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds; we round up. In cold water it takes 30 minutes a pound. Roasting times are for an unstuffed turkey at 325°F:
| Turkey | Fridge thaw | Cold-water thaw | Roasting time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | 3 days | 5.0 hours | 2 h 45 min to 3 h |
| 12 lb | 3 days | 6.0 hours | 2 h 45 min to 3 h |
| 14 lb | 4 days | 7.0 hours | 3 h to 3 h 45 min |
| 16 lb | 4 days | 8.0 hours | 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min |
| 18 lb | 5 days | 9.0 hours | 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min |
| 20 lb | 5 days | 10.0 hours | 4 h 15 min to 4 h 30 min |
| 22 lb | 6 days | 11.0 hours | 4 h 30 min to 5 h |
| 24 lb | 6 days | 12.0 hours | 4 h 30 min to 5 h |
Thanksgiving 2026 timeline
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26. Put a frozen turkey into the refrigerator on or before these dates:
| Turkey | Thaw time | Into the fridge by |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | 3 days | Monday, November 23 |
| 12 lb | 3 days | Monday, November 23 |
| 14 lb | 4 days | Sunday, November 22 |
| 16 lb | 4 days | Sunday, November 22 |
| 18 lb | 5 days | Saturday, November 21 |
| 20 lb | 5 days | Saturday, November 21 |
| 22 lb | 6 days | Friday, November 20 |
| 24 lb | 6 days | Friday, November 20 |
If you run behind, switch to the cold-water method, which is much faster but needs attention, and cook the turkey straight afterward.
Safe thawing and cooking
- Never thaw a turkey on the counter. The outside reaches unsafe temperatures while the middle is still frozen.
- Keep it cold. The refrigerator should be at 40°F or below, and a drip tray on the bottom shelf stops raw juices touching other food.
- Cook to 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh, and in the center of any stuffing. Color is not a reliable guide.
- Do not wash the turkey. It spreads bacteria. Pat it dry with paper towels instead.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, and eat them within 3 to 4 days.
Mistakes that cost people their dinner
- Starting the thaw too late. A big turkey takes four or five days in the refrigerator.
- Buying by price per pound alone: a very big bird may not fit in your oven or your roasting pan.
- Roasting by the clock and not by the thermometer. Ovens and birds differ.
- Carving at once, rather than resting the turkey for 20 to 30 minutes.
Cooking Christmas dinner in the UK? There is a separate UK turkey size guide in kilograms, with a Christmas Day timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How big a turkey do I need for 12 people?
About 18 pounds at 1½ lb per person for 12 adults, or 12 lb at the 1 lb minimum. A 10 adult and 2 child table needs 17 lb.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
In the refrigerator, 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds: 5 days for a 17 lb bird. In cold water, 30 minutes per pound, changing the water every 30 minutes, so 8.5 hours.
How long do you roast a turkey?
At 325°F an unstuffed 17 lb turkey takes 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min. Cook to 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh, and let it rest 20 to 30 minutes. Stuffed, it takes 4 h 15 min to 4 h 45 min.
When should I take the turkey out of the freezer?
For Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, a 17 lb bird should go into the refrigerator by Saturday, November 21. The timeline below shows the day for each size.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.
Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.