🌾 Couscous Calculator
Calculate dry and cooked couscous for sides, salads, or main dishes like tagines.
Kids are counted as about 60% of an adult portion. Appetite and leftover adjustments are shown in the result.
Shopping list
- Dry couscous2.2 lb
- Stock or water4.1 cups
Info: 75g dry couscous/adult main. Cooked 2.4x.
How much couscous per person?
50g dry as a side, 75g as a main, 95g for hungry servings. Cooked weight ≈ 2.4× dry.
Quick method
Pour equal volume of boiling stock over couscous, cover for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
How much couscous for 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100 people?
These are the exact quantities most home cooks and caterers use when planning couscous for a group. Portions assume a normal adult appetite with a small buffer for leftovers — bump up one level for hungry guests, sports crowds, or long events.
- How much couscous for 5 people? Plan for about 14.6 oz dry (2.18 lb cooked) couscous — adjust with the calculator above for kids, appetite, or leftovers.
- How much couscous for 10 people? Plan for about 1.82 lb dry (4.37 lb cooked) couscous — adjust with the calculator above for kids, appetite, or leftovers.
- How much couscous for 20 people? Plan for about 3.64 lb dry (8.73 lb cooked) couscous — adjust with the calculator above for kids, appetite, or leftovers.
- How much couscous for 50 people? Plan for about 9.09 lb dry (21.83 lb cooked) couscous — adjust with the calculator above for kids, appetite, or leftovers.
- How much couscous for 100 people? Plan for about 18.19 lb dry (43.65 lb cooked) couscous — adjust with the calculator above for kids, appetite, or leftovers.
75g dry couscous/adult main. Cooked 2.4x.
Couscous portions for 10, 20, 50, and 100 people
| Guests | Normal serving | Hungry crowd |
|---|---|---|
| 10 guests | 1.82 lb dry (4.37 lb cooked) couscous | 2.18 lb dry (5.24 lb cooked) couscous |
| 20 guests | 3.64 lb dry (8.73 lb cooked) couscous | 4.37 lb dry (10.48 lb cooked) couscous |
| 50 guests | 9.09 lb dry (21.83 lb cooked) couscous | 10.91 lb dry (26.19 lb cooked) couscous |
| 100 guests | 18.19 lb dry (43.65 lb cooked) couscous | 21.83 lb dry (52.38 lb cooked) couscous |
Frequently asked questions
How much couscous for 20 people?
About 1.5 kg dry couscous as a main.
Couscous vs quinoa?
Couscous is wheat (pasta-like, fast); quinoa is gluten-free and protein-rich.