Cake Serving Chart — All Sizes at a Glance
| Cake Size | Round (Party) | Round (Wedding) | Square (Party) | Square (Wedding) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 inch (10 cm) | 6 | 10 | 8 | 12 |
| 5 inch (13 cm) | 8 | 14 | 12 | 18 |
| 6 inch (15 cm) | 12 | 18 | 18 | 27 |
| 7 inch (18 cm) | 18 | 30 | 24 | 36 |
| 8 inch (20 cm) | 24 | 40 | 32 | 48 |
| 9 inch (23 cm) | 27 | 44 | 36 | 54 |
| 10 inch (25 cm) | 38 | 60 | 50 | 72 |
| 12 inch (30 cm) | 56 | 84 | 72 | 108 |
| 14 inch (36 cm) | 78 | 116 | 98 | 147 |
| 16 inch (41 cm) | 100 | 150 | 128 | 192 |
| 18 inch (46 cm) | 127 | 190 | 162 | 243 |
| 20 inch (51 cm) | 160 | 240 | 200 | 300 |
Party slices: 2"×2"×4" tall. Wedding slices: 1"×2"×4" tall. All counts assume a single 4" tall layer.
How to Calculate Cake Servings
Getting the right number of servings from a cake depends on three things: the shape of your cake, the size of each slice, and whether you're cutting party-size or wedding-size portions. Party slices (2" wide × 2" deep) are generous and perfect for birthday parties and casual events. Wedding slices (1" wide × 2" deep) are the industry standard for formal events where cake is served alongside a full meal.
Round vs Square vs Sheet: Which Shape Serves More?
Square cakes serve roughly 30% more people than round cakes of the same diameter because there's no waste from the curved edges. A 10-inch round cake yields about 38 party servings, while a 10-inch square yields 50. If you're feeding a crowd on a budget, square or sheet cakes are the most efficient choice.
Sheet cakes are the workhorses of large events. A standard half-sheet (13" × 9") gives you about 27 party-size servings, while a full sheet (18" × 13") can serve 54 or more. For events over 100 guests, many bakers combine a decorated display cake with sheet cakes sliced in the kitchen.
Tiered Cake Servings
For multi-tier cakes, each tier contributes its own serving count. A classic three-tier wedding cake with 6", 10", and 14" round tiers yields approximately 12 + 38 + 78 = 128 party servings. Our calculator automatically adds up servings using standard tier size progressions.
Tips for Large Events
- Order 10-15% extra — not every slice gets eaten, but running out is worse than having leftovers.
- Consider a dessert table — if you're serving other desserts, you can go with wedding-size slices even for a casual party.
- Sheet cake in the kitchen — a beautifully decorated 2-tier display cake plus sheet cakes cut behind the scenes is a professional trick that saves money.
- Tall layers mean more — our calculator assumes 4" tall layers. If your recipe uses 3" layers, reduce the count by about 25%.
