Food Cost Calculator

Calculate the cost of a recipe, meal or serving by adding your ingredients and their prices.

Your ingredients

Currency

Recipe name

1
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £0.60
2
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £2.50
3
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £1.50
4
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £0.24

Number of servings

Total recipe cost: £4.84
Cost per serving: £1.21
Total ingredient cost: £4.84
Number of servings: 4

Estimates based on the prices you entered. Prices vary by shop, brand, location and date.

Ingredient cost breakdown

Ingredient	Cost	Share
Plain flour	£0.60	12%
Butter	£2.50	52%
Eggs	£1.50	31%
Sugar	£0.24	5%

How the food cost calculator works

For each ingredient, choose how you know the price:

Pack price — enter the pack size, what the pack cost, and how much you used. We charge only for the amount used, converting units automatically.
Cost used — if you already know what the amount cost, type it in directly.

The total and cost per serving update as you type.

The formula

ingredient cost = pack price × (amount used ÷ pack size)
cost per serving = total recipe cost ÷ servings

Example: you buy 1kg of flour for £2.00 but use 250g. The flour in your recipe costs £0.50, not £2.00.

Prices are yours

We don't pull live supermarket prices. Food prices vary by retailer, location, brand and date, so enter what you actually paid. Read the step-by-step recipe costing guide for more detail.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate the cost of a recipe?

Add up the cost of the amount of each ingredient you use. For each one: pack price × (amount used ÷ pack size). The recipe cost calculator does this for you.

How do I calculate food cost per serving?

Divide the total recipe cost by the number of servings. £8.74 ÷ 4 servings = £2.19 per serving.

How do I calculate the cost of ingredients?

Use the pack price and pack size to find the cost per gram, millilitre or unit, then multiply by the amount used. 1kg flour at £2.00 → 250g costs £0.50.

Does the calculator account for the amount of an ingredient actually used?

Yes. Choose 'Pack price' and enter the pack size, pack price and amount used — the calculator only charges for what goes into the recipe.

How do I calculate the cost of a homemade meal?

List everything that goes into the meal including sides, cost each ingredient by the amount used, add them up and divide by the number of people eating.

How do I calculate the cost of a recipe for different numbers of people?

Change the number of servings to see the new cost per serving. If you scale the recipe up, increase the ingredient amounts too — the total updates instantly.

How much does it cost to make a meal at home?

It depends on your recipe and where you shop. Enter your own prices to get an accurate figure rather than relying on averages.

How do I calculate meal prep costs?

Cost the whole batch, then divide by the number of containers. See the meal prep cost calculator.

How do I calculate baking costs?

Cost each ingredient by the amount used, add any packaging or decoration, then divide by the number of cakes or portions. Try the baking cost calculator.

Can I use different currencies?

Yes. Choose GBP, USD, EUR, CAD or AUD from the currency menu. This only changes the symbol — we don't convert prices, as you enter your own.

Why can food prices vary between shops?

Prices change with retailer, brand, pack size, location, promotions and date. That's why the calculator uses the prices you enter rather than fixed figures.