Popcorn Calculator
Work out exactly how much popcorn to make for movie night, a party, or a concession stand, whether you’re popping kernels or using microwave bags.
How much popcorn do you need?
A standard serving of popped popcorn is about 2 cups per person for a snack, or more for a full movie-night portion. Loose popcorn kernels expand dramatically when popped, roughly 32 times their original volume, so a small amount of unpopped kernels goes a long way.
How this calculator works
Enter your number of guests and how many popped cups you want per person. If you’re using loose kernels (stovetop or air popper), the calculator divides your total popped-cup goal by the typical 32x expansion ratio to tell you how many cups (and tablespoons) of raw kernels to start with. If you’re using microwave bags, it estimates how many standard bags you’ll need, based on a typical bag yielding about 10 cups popped.
Actual yield can vary by popcorn brand, kernel freshness, and popping method, so treat this as a helpful estimate rather than an exact measurement.