Meal Cost Calculator

Find out how much a meal costs to make, and what that works out to per person.

Your ingredients

Currency

1
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £0.60
2
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £3.20
3
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £0.60
4
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £0.28
5
Pack size
Pack price
£
Amount used
Cost used: £0.45

Number of servings

Number of people

Total recipe cost: £5.13
Cost per serving: £1.28
Total ingredient cost: £5.13
Number of servings: 4
Cost per person: —

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

Ingredient cost breakdown

Ingredient	Cost	Share
Spaghetti	£0.60	12%
Beef mince	£3.20	62%
Passata	£0.60	12%
Onion	£0.28	6%
Cheddar	£0.45	9%

Recipe cost vs cost per serving — what's the difference?

Recipe (or meal) cost is the price of everything that went into the meal. Cost per serving splits that between the portions. If the meal is £6.00 and feeds four, each serving is £1.50.

Cost per person can differ if someone has seconds, or if you make extra to save for later — that's why you can set servings and people separately.

Wondering how it compares to ordering in? Try the homemade vs takeaway calculator.

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.

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.

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.