How much ice per person at a party?

Plan for about 0.5-1kg of ice per guest for a typical 4-hour indoor party. For outdoor events in warm weather, increase to 1-1.5kg per guest. This covers both drinks ice and keeping bottles cold.

How do I keep ice from melting too fast?

Store ice in cool boxes or insulated containers. Do not open the lid unnecessarily. Pre-chill drinks in the fridge so the ice does not have to work as hard. Buy ice as close to the event as possible.

Where can I buy party ice in the UK?

Large bags of ice are available from supermarkets (usually 2kg bags), petrol stations, off-licences, and catering suppliers. For large events, consider ordering from a dedicated ice delivery service which sells 10kg or 20kg bags.

Should I make my own ice?

A home freezer produces about 1-2kg of ice per day, which is not enough for a party. It is more practical to buy bags of ice. If you do make ice, start at least a week before and store in freezer bags.

PartyCalcs

Ice Calculator — How Much Ice for a Party

Estimate how much ice you need for drinks and cooling bottles at your party or event.

Number of Guests

Event Duration

Event Setting

Price per 2kg Bag (optional)

Include ice for cooling bins

Extra ice for chilling bottles and cans

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates ice requirements based on guest numbers, event duration, and whether you are indoors or outdoors.

The formula

Drink ice = guests x hours x rate per hour

The rate varies: 0.15kg/guest/hour indoors, 0.2kg for mild outdoor, and 0.3kg for hot weather. If you are using ice to chill bottles in bins, an additional 0.5kg per guest is added.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.