How Much Coffee for 35 People?
Quick Answer
For 35 people at a large party, you need approximately 53 cups of coffee.
Estimated cost: $13 - $40
How We Calculate
Start with guest count
35 people
Multiply by drinks per person
35 ร 1.5 = 52.5 total cups
Convert to purchasing units
52.5 รท 1 servings per cup = 53 cups
Tips for Serving Coffee to 35 Guests
- โ Offer both regular and decaf
- โ Set up cream, sugar, and sweetener station
- โ Keep coffee hot in insulated carafes
- โ 12-cup pot = about 10 actual servings
- โ Consider a coffee urn for 50+ guests
Service Plan for 35 Guests
For a large party, plan on approximately 52.5 total servings over a 3-hour event. Keep a 10-15% buffer so you can handle late arrivals and heavier-than-average consumption.
Since coffee is often a base beverage, stage replacement stock in coolers so the serving area stays full without crowding guests.
- Prep checklist: 63+ cups, 53+ lbs of ice, and backup storage nearby.
- Chill strategy: pre-chill at least 70% before service to reduce ice melt and dilution.
- Replenishment cadence: refresh serving stations every 30-45 minutes instead of all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much coffee do I need for 35 people?
For 35 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 53 cups. This is based on 1.5 cups per person.
What's the cost of coffee for 35 guests?
Expect to spend $13 - $40 on coffee for 35 people, based on typical prices of $0.25-$0.75 per cup.
Should I buy extra coffee?
Yes! We recommend adding 10-15% extra for unexpected guests or heavy drinkers. That's about 8 more cups.
Editorial Process and Sources
Last reviewed: February 19, 2026
Publisher: FeedMyGuests Editorial Team ยท Contact: contact@feedmyguests.com
This page is generated from structured coffee consumption baselines and conversion rules, then reviewed for calculation consistency and internal-link quality checks.
Reference Sources
- USDA FoodData Central Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- NIH Rethinking Drinking (standard drink references) Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- FDA Food Safety Guidance Retrieved: February 19, 2026