Buying guide
How many cups do I need for a party?
Updated
Short answer
Plan about 1.5 cups per guest for a 2 to 3 hour party, and 2 cups per guest for 4 hours or a hot day (our planning assumption). For 75 guests over 3 hours, that is about 113 cups, so two 100-packs. For 100 guests over 4 hours, it is 200 cups, also two 100-packs. Oojami's clear cups come 100 cups and 100 snap-on sip lids to a pack, in 12, 16, 20 or 24 oz.
The rule we use
Our planning assumption: a guest uses about 1.5 cups in a 2 to 3 hour party, and about 2 cups in a 4 hour party or on a hot day. Guests set a cup down, forget it, and take a new one. Some guests drink water and then a soda, and use a new cup for each.
Add about half a cup per guest when you serve several kinds of drinks, for example iced coffee, lemonade and water. People change cups when they change drinks.
Other party guides use higher numbers, some as high as 1.5 cups per guest for each hour. With those rules, 75 guests for 3 hours need more than 300 cups. If your guests drink a lot, or you want no risk of running out, use the 4 hour column for a shorter party.
Cups for 25 to 100 guests
Cups needed, with our assumption, rounded up. The number in brackets is the number of 100-packs.
| Guests | 2 to 3 hours | 4 hours or a hot day |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 38 (1 pack) | 50 (1 pack) |
| 40 | 60 (1 pack) | 80 (1 pack) |
| 50 | 75 (1 pack) | 100 (1 pack) |
| 75 | 113 (2 packs) | 150 (2 packs) |
| 100 | 150 (2 packs) | 200 (2 packs) |
The math: guests x cups per guest, then round up to whole packs of 100. A party of 50 for 4 hours uses all 100 cups with none spare. If you also serve several drinks (add half a cup per guest), buy a second pack.
Which size of cup
- 12 oz: water, soda, juice and lemonade. A good size when you serve many small drinks.
- 16 oz: iced coffee and iced tea with ice. The size most guests expect for an iced drink.
- 20 or 24 oz: large iced drinks. The 24 oz cup has a wide opening that takes a straw, for a thick drink.
One size is simpler to buy and set out. If you serve iced coffee and also small drinks, buy one pack of 16 oz and one pack of 12 oz. Each pack has 100 cups and 100 lids of that size.
Why lids at a party
A lid helps when guests walk and talk with a drink in their hand. The lid on Oojami cups snaps onto the rim. Its flap opens for sipping and closes to cut splashes. It is not leakproof, so a full cup still has to stay upright. The last sip can collect in the lid: tilt the cup more, or take the lid off.
Put a marker next to the cups so that guests can write their names on the lid or the cup. A guest who can find a cup again uses fewer cups.
Clear plastic: which kind
Clear cups show the color of the drink, so guests can see what is in a cup. Most clear party cups are PET (#1) or PS (#6). PET bends a little when you squeeze it. PS is stiff and can crack. Oojami's cups are clear PET, BPA-free and recyclable, and for cold drinks only. Our PET or PS comparison explains how to tell them apart.
Other cups that can be the better buy
- Clear cups without lids, such as Solo UltraClear or Great Value: the simpler buy when guests stay seated in one room and no one carries a drink around.
- Hefty Chill-To-Go or GUSTO cups with lids: similar cold cups with lids. Compare the size you want and the number of lids in the pack.
- Your own glasses: the better choice for a small group at home when you will wash up after.
An adult birthday party
For a birthday party at home of 2 to 3 hours, use the 1.5 cups rule. Set the cups, lids and ice next to the drinks, away from the cake table, so the drink line does not block it. Keep the cups in their box until you need them, and put out 25 at a time.
An open house
At an open house, guests come and go over several hours, but each guest stays a shorter time. Plan with the number of guests you expect in total, not the number in the house at one time, and use the 2 or 3 hour column. Lids help here: guests often carry their drink from room to room.
Supply checklist
- Cups and lids: from the table above
- Ice: more than you think; our juice, iced tea and lemonade guide has drink sizes with ice
- A marker for names
- A bin for used cups near the drinks
- Napkins