How Many Does a Pan of Mashed Potatoes Feed?
A deep half pan of mashed potatoes holds about 5.7 qt and feeds 50 people at 4 oz. A deep full pan feeds 106.
Deep half pan at 4 oz per serving
Feeds 50
deep full pan: 106 · 2.21 lb per quart
Servings per pan by portion size
| Pan | Usable volume | 2 oz | 3 oz | 4 oz | 5 oz | 6 oz | 8 oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full size 2.5in steam table pan | 7.65 qt | 134 | 89 | 67 | 53 | 44 | 33 |
| Full size 4in steam table pan | 12.07 qt | 212 | 141 | 106 | 85 | 70 | 53 |
| Half size 2.5in steam table pan | 3.66 qt | 64 | 43 | 32 | 25 | 21 | 16 |
| Half size 4in (deep) steam table pan | 5.7 qt | 100 | 67 | 50 | 40 | 33 | 25 |
| Third size 2.5in steam table pan | 2.13 qt | 37 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 |
| Third size 4in steam table pan | 3.49 qt | 61 | 41 | 30 | 24 | 20 | 15 |
| Foil full size deep pan (Handi-foil) | 9.19 qt | 162 | 108 | 81 | 64 | 54 | 40 |
| Foil half size deep pan (Handi-foil 8440) | 3.19 qt | 56 | 37 | 28 | 22 | 18 | 14 |
Pans of mashed potatoes by party size (4 oz each)
| Party | Pans | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 25 guests | 1 half deep pan | 6.25 lb |
| 50 guests | 1 half deep pan | 12.5 lb |
| 75 guests | 2 half deep pans | 18.75 lb |
| 100 guests | 2 half deep pans | 25 lb |
| 150 guests | 3 half deep pans | 37.5 lb |
| 200 guests | 4 half deep pans | 50 lb |
How we calculate
- Servings = usable quarts × 2.21 lb per quart × 16 ÷ ounces per serving, rounded down.
- Usable volume is 85% of the brim capacity on the maker's spec sheet, so the pan can be covered and carried.
- Density comes from the USDA cup weight for mashed potatoes (source).
Data as of Oct 2026. Full list of sources: How we calculate.
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FAQ
How many people does a half pan of mashed potatoes feed?
About 50 people at 4 oz each in a deep (4-inch) half pan, or 32 in a standard 2.5-inch half pan.
How many people does a full pan of mashed potatoes feed?
About 106 people at 4 oz each in a deep full pan, or 67 in a 2.5-inch full pan.
How much mashed potatoes for 100 people?
About 25 lb at 4 oz each, which is 2 half deep pans.
How much does a quart of mashed potatoes weigh?
About 2.21 lb, from the USDA cup weight.