Homemade vs Takeaway Cost Calculator

Compare what a meal costs to make at home with what you'd pay to order it.

Compare one meal

Currency

Homemade meal total

Use the food cost calculator to work this out.

Takeaway / restaurant total

Include delivery, service and tips.

Times per week

Saving per meal: £22.00
Saving percentage: 79%
Homemade total: £6.00
Takeaway total: £28.00
Potential weekly difference: £44.00
Potential monthly difference: £191.32

Homemade isn't always cheaper — it depends on the recipe, ingredients, waste and energy used.

A fair comparison

Cost your homemade version with the meal cost calculator for the same number of people. For the takeaway, include delivery fees, service charges and tips.

Homemade isn't automatically cheaper: specialist ingredients you won't use again, energy and wasted food all count. The calculator shows the difference either way.

Frequently asked questions

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 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.

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.