Cocina

How Much Rice Per Person? Grams Calculator

Q: How many grams of raw rice per person for a main course?

The widely used benchmark is **80 g of raw white rice per adult** as a main course. This yields approximately 200 g of cooked rice per person. For children under 10, use 40–50 g (roughly half an adult portion). Brown rice is slightly more filling per gram — 75–80 g raw is typically enough.

Q: How many grams of rice per person as a side dish?

For a side dish alongside meat, chicken, or fish, plan **60 g of raw rice per adult** (≈ 0.33 cups). This gives each person about 150 g of cooked rice — a generous side without overpowering the main protein. Children need about 35 g raw.

Q: How much does raw rice weigh after cooking?

White rice (basmati, jasmine, long-grain) expands to roughly **2.5× its dry weight** — 80 g raw becomes about 200 g cooked. Brown rice expands to ~2.8×; wild rice to about 3×. These figures assume standard stovetop absorption cooking with the lid on.

Q: How many cups is 80 grams of raw rice?

One US cup of raw white rice weighs approximately **180 g**, so 80 g ≈ **0.44 cups** (just under half a cup). For a group of 4 adults (320 g total), that is about 1.8 cups of raw rice. Always weigh rice when precision matters, since cup density varies by variety and how tightly you pack it.

Q: What is the correct rice-to-water ratio?

Ratios vary by rice type: **long-grain white (basmati, jasmine) — 1 cup rice : 2 cups water**; brown rice 1:2.5; sushi/medium-grain 1:1.5; risotto (Arborio) roughly 1:3 of broth added gradually. Using the wrong ratio is the most common cause of mushy or crunchy rice, regardless of portion size.

Q: How much rice do I need for 10 people?

For 10 adults eating rice as a **main course**: 10 × 80 g = **800 g raw rice** (≈ 4.4 US cups). As a **side dish**: 10 × 60 g = 600 g (≈ 3.3 cups). If 3 of the 10 are children: (7 × 80) + (3 × 40) = 560 + 120 = **680 g total** for a main course.

Q: How much rice should I cook for 4 people?

For **4 adults, main course**: 4 × 80 g = **320 g raw rice** (~1.8 cups), plus 3.6 cups of water. For a **side dish**: 4 × 60 g = 240 g (~1.3 cups), plus 2.6 cups water. With a mix of 2 adults and 2 children: (2 × 80) + (2 × 40) = 240 g raw for a main.

Q: Is the rice portion the same for risotto as for boiled rice?

The dry weight is similar — about **80 g of Arborio rice per adult** — but the liquid ratio changes dramatically. Risotto requires roughly **3× its volume in warm broth** added in stages, compared to 2× for boiled long-grain rice. The starch released during stirring also makes risotto feel more filling per gram than plain boiled rice.

Q: How much rice for meal prep (5 meals for 1 person)?

For 5 main-course servings for one adult: **5 × 80 g = 400 g raw rice**, yielding approximately 1,000 g (1 kg) of cooked rice. That is just over 2.2 US cups dry. Cooked rice keeps in the refrigerator for up to **4 days** (USDA FoodSafety.gov), or up to 6 months in the freezer.

Q: Does rice type change how much I should cook per person?

Slightly. Brown and wild rice are more filling due to higher fiber, so **70–75 g raw** often suffices as a main. White rice has a higher glycemic index and digests faster, which is why the 80 g standard applies. For sushi rice, 75 g raw per person is the convention used in most Japanese cooking references.

Quickly calculate how many grams of raw rice to cook per person. Enter group size, meal type (side, main, sushi), and whether children are at the table. Instant result in grams and cups with water ratios.

🗓️ Updated June 2026 Reviewed by Martín Rodríguez

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Reviewed by: Martín Rodríguez (editorial policy ) · Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026

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The standard rule: 80 g of raw rice per adult as a main course, or 60 g per adult as a side dish. Raw white rice roughly doubles in weight after cooking — 80 g raw yields ~200 g cooked. This calculator does the math for any group size, adjusts for children at the table, and outputs both the total weight in grams and the equivalent US cups, plus the correct water or broth volume for each rice type. Use it before shopping, meal prepping, or catering to nail portions every time.

When to use this calculator

Dinner party for 6–10 adults: calculating exactly how much basmati or jasmine rice to cook as a main course without ending up with pots of leftovers.
Family meal prep: adjusting portions when the table includes a mix of adults and young children (under 10), who need roughly half an adult portion.
Catering or batch cooking: scaling to 20–50+ people where precision in raw rice weight directly affects food cost and serving consistency.
Recipe conversion: scaling a risotto recipe from 4 to 11 people, including 3 kids, while keeping the correct broth-to-rice ratio (3:1 for risotto).

Rice Portions by Meal Type: Raw Grams, Water Ratio & Cooked Yield

Meal type	Raw/adult	Raw/child (<10)	Water ratio	Cooked yield factor
Side dish (white rice)	60 g	35 g	1 : 2.0	×2.5
Main course (basmati/jasmine)	80 g	45 g	1 : 2.0	×2.5
Sushi (medium-grain)	75 g	40 g	1 : 1.5	×2.2
Rice salad (long-grain)	60 g	35 g	1 : 2.0	×2.5
Brown rice (main)	80 g	45 g	1 : 2.5	×2.8
Wild rice blend (main)	70 g	40 g	1 : 3.0	×3.0
Risotto (Arborio, main)	80 g	45 g	1 : 3.0 broth	×2.8
Paella (short-grain, main)	90 g	50 g	1 : 2.5	×2.5

Fuente: USDA FoodData Central & USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025. All weights are dry, uncooked grams. 1 US cup raw white rice ≈ 180 g. Children counted as 0.75 of an adult portion in total calculations.

How it works

How It's Calculated

The calculator applies a tiered portion system based on meal role and diner age, then converts grams to cups and calculates the correct water or broth volume.

# Step 1 – Portion per adult (raw grams)
side_dish  = 60 g
main_course = 80 g
sushi       = 75 g
rice_salad  = 60 g

# Step 2 – Adjust for children (counts as 0.75 of an adult)
persons_effective = adults + (children × 0.75)

# Step 3 – Total raw rice
total_g = persons_effective × portion

# Step 4 – Convert to cups (1 US cup ≈ 180 g raw white rice)
cups_rice = total_g / 180

# Step 5 – Water or broth
cups_water = cups_rice × water_ratio

# Water ratios by meal type:
# Side dish / main (white rice): 1 : 2.0
# Sushi rice (medium-grain):     1 : 1.5
# Brown rice:                    1 : 2.5
# Risotto (broth, ladle method): 1 : 3.0

# Step 6 – Cooked yield (approximate)
cooked_g = total_g × 2.5   # white rice absorbs ~1.5× its weight in water

> Example (4 adults, main course, jasmine rice): 4 × 80 g = 320 g raw → 320 ÷ 180 ≈ 1.8 cups rice → 1.8 × 2 = 3.6 cups water (~850 ml). Cooked yield: ~800 g, or ~200 g per person.

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Quick Reference Table: Rice Per Person (Grams)

Meal type	Raw per adult	Raw per child (<10)	Water ratio	Cooked yield
Side dish (white rice)	60 g	35 g	1 : 2.0	×2.5
Main course (basmati/jasmine)	80 g	45 g	1 : 2.0	×2.5
Sushi (medium-grain)	75 g	40 g	1 : 1.5	×2.2
Rice salad (long-grain)	60 g	35 g	1 : 2.0	×2.5
Brown rice (main)	80 g	45 g	1 : 2.5	×2.8
Wild rice blend (main)	70 g	40 g	1 : 3.0	×3.0
Risotto (Arborio, main)	80 g	45 g	1 : 3.0 broth	×2.8
Paella (short-grain, main)	90 g	50 g	1 : 2.5	×2.5

All raw weights are dry, uncooked grams. 1 US cup of raw white rice ≈ 180 g.

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Common Group Sizes at a Glance

People	Side dish (g)	Main course (g)	Cups (main)	Water (cups)
2 adults	120 g	160 g	0.9	1.8
4 adults	240 g	320 g	1.8	3.6
6 adults	360 g	480 g	2.7	5.4
8 adults	480 g	640 g	3.6	7.2
10 adults	600 g	800 g	4.4	8.9
12 adults	720 g	960 g	5.3	10.7

Based on 60 g (side) or 80 g (main) per adult. 1 US cup ≈ 180 g dry white rice.

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Common Mistakes

1. Using cooked rice weight as the input. Recipes almost always state raw weights. Treating 80 g cooked as a raw portion will leave guests hungry — 80 g raw yields ~200 g cooked.
2. Ignoring rice type when measuring cups. 1 US cup of raw basmati ≈ 180 g, but 1 cup of wild rice ≈ 160 g and 1 cup of arborio ≈ 185 g. Weigh for precision; use cups as a cross-check only.
3. Applying a universal 1:2 water ratio. Brown rice needs 1:2.5, risotto needs ~3× broth volume, and sushi rice uses only 1:1.5. Wrong ratios produce mushy or undercooked rice regardless of portion accuracy.
4. Not adjusting for children. A child under 10 eats roughly 40–55% of an adult rice portion. Treating them as adults wastes 30–40 g per child per meal, significant at scale.
5. Forgetting the resting/absorption step. Rice continues absorbing water off-heat. Remove the pot from heat and let it rest covered for 10 minutes before fluffing and serving.

Worked Example: Rice for 4 Adults (Dinner Party, Main Course)

Scenario: 4 adults, rice as the main course (basmati), no children.

Portion per adult: 80 g raw rice.

Total raw rice: 4 × 80 g = 320 grams.

In cups: 320 ÷ 180 ≈ 1.8 cups of dry rice.

Water needed: 1.8 cups rice × 2 = 3.6 cups water (~850 ml).

Cooked yield: 320 g × 2.5 ≈ 800 g cooked rice (~200 g per person).

For a main-course dinner for 4 adults, use 320 g (≈ 1.8 cups) of raw basmati rice and 3.6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 18 minutes; rest covered 10 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How many grams of raw rice per person for a main course?

The widely used benchmark is 80 g of raw white rice per adult as a main course. This yields approximately 200 g of cooked rice per person. For children under 10, use 40–50 g (roughly half an adult portion). Brown rice is slightly more filling per gram — 75–80 g raw is typically enough.

How many grams of rice per person as a side dish?

For a side dish alongside meat, chicken, or fish, plan 60 g of raw rice per adult (≈ 0.33 cups). This gives each person about 150 g of cooked rice — a generous side without overpowering the main protein. Children need about 35 g raw.

How much does raw rice weigh after cooking?

White rice (basmati, jasmine, long-grain) expands to roughly 2.5× its dry weight — 80 g raw becomes about 200 g cooked. Brown rice expands to ~2.8×; wild rice to about 3×. These figures assume standard stovetop absorption cooking with the lid on.

How many cups is 80 grams of raw rice?

One US cup of raw white rice weighs approximately 180 g, so 80 g ≈ 0.44 cups (just under half a cup). For a group of 4 adults (320 g total), that is about 1.8 cups of raw rice. Always weigh rice when precision matters, since cup density varies by variety and how tightly you pack it.

What is the correct rice-to-water ratio?

Ratios vary by rice type: long-grain white (basmati, jasmine) — 1 cup rice : 2 cups water; brown rice 1:2.5; sushi/medium-grain 1:1.5; risotto (Arborio) roughly 1:3 of broth added gradually. Using the wrong ratio is the most common cause of mushy or crunchy rice, regardless of portion size.

How much rice do I need for 10 people?

For 10 adults eating rice as a main course: 10 × 80 g = 800 g raw rice (≈ 4.4 US cups). As a side dish: 10 × 60 g = 600 g (≈ 3.3 cups). If 3 of the 10 are children: (7 × 80) + (3 × 40) = 560 + 120 = 680 g total for a main course.

How much rice should I cook for 4 people?

For 4 adults, main course: 4 × 80 g = 320 g raw rice (~1.8 cups), plus 3.6 cups of water. For a side dish: 4 × 60 g = 240 g (~1.3 cups), plus 2.6 cups water. With a mix of 2 adults and 2 children: (2 × 80) + (2 × 40) = 240 g raw for a main.

Is the rice portion the same for risotto as for boiled rice?

The dry weight is similar — about 80 g of Arborio rice per adult — but the liquid ratio changes dramatically. Risotto requires roughly 3× its volume in warm broth added in stages, compared to 2× for boiled long-grain rice. The starch released during stirring also makes risotto feel more filling per gram than plain boiled rice.

How much rice for meal prep (5 meals for 1 person)?

For 5 main-course servings for one adult: 5 × 80 g = 400 g raw rice, yielding approximately 1,000 g (1 kg) of cooked rice. That is just over 2.2 US cups dry. Cooked rice keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (USDA FoodSafety.gov), or up to 6 months in the freezer.

Does rice type change how much I should cook per person?

Slightly. Brown and wild rice are more filling due to higher fiber, so 70–75 g raw often suffices as a main. White rice has a higher glycemic index and digests faster, which is why the 80 g standard applies. For sushi rice, 75 g raw per person is the convention used in most Japanese cooking references.

Sources & references

Methodology & trust

Editorial

Calculadora de cocina revisada por el equipo editorial de Hacé Cuentas, contrastada con USDA FoodData Central – Cooked and raw rice nutritional data, según nuestra política editorial y metodología.

Updates

Última revisión: June 20, 2026. Los parámetros se verifican periódicamente con las fuentes citadas.

Privacy

Calculations run 100% in your browser. We do not store or transmit your data.

Limitations

Indicative results. For critical decisions, consult a professional.

📌 How to cite this calculator

Rodríguez, M. (2026). How Much Rice Per Person? Grams Calculator. Hacé Cuentas. https://hacecuentas.com/rice-grams-per-person

Contenido bajo licencia CC-BY 4.0 — reutilizable citando la fuente con enlace a Hacé Cuentas.

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