Short answer: plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person, or 1/2 to 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person. Go to the high end if ham is the only main dish or you want leftovers. Go to the low end if there is a turkey on the table too.
That is the rule of thumb. The rest of this guide turns it into a number you can order.
Ham serving chart
Boneless ham is nearly all meat, so a pound goes further. Bone-in ham includes the bone and some fat, so you need more weight per person. Spiral hams are bone-in.
| People | Boneless ham | Bone-in or spiral ham |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 | 2–3 lb | 3–4 lb |
| 8–10 | 4–5 lb | 5–7 lb |
| 12–15 | 5–7 lb | 8–11 lb |
| 16–20 | 7–10 lb | 10–15 lb |
| 25–30 | 10–15 lb | 15–20 lb |
| 35+ | 15+ lb | 20+ lb |
These numbers assume ham is the main dish with the usual sides. They leave a little for sandwiches the next day, but not a lot. If leftovers are the point, add 25 percent.
Which of our hams feeds your table
| Ham | Weight | Serves | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Fashioned Boneless Half Ham | about 5 lb | 10–14 | Smaller gatherings, or a second meat next to a turkey |
| Spiral Sliced Half Ham | about 8 lb | 10–12 | Easy serving, no carving |
| Old Fashioned Boneless Whole Ham | about 11 lb | 25–30 | The big table, with leftovers |
| Spiral Sliced Whole Ham | about 17 lb | 20–25 | A crowd, easy serving |
| Skinless & Shankless Bone-In Ham | about 17 lb | 25–30 | Bone-in flavor, less trimming |
| Old Fashioned Bone-In Smoked Ham | 18–20 lb | 35+ | The centerpiece, and a bone for soup |
Not sure between two sizes? Buy the bigger one. Ham keeps for about a week in the refrigerator after it is heated, sliced ham freezes well, and nobody has ever complained about a ham sandwich on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Three things that change the math
1. Is there a turkey too?
If ham shares the table with a turkey, cut the ham estimate in half. A 5-pound boneless half covers 15 to 20 people as the second meat. Our Smoked Turkey & Spiral Ham Bundle feeds 35 to 40 with both on the table.
2. Is it dinner or a buffet?
Buffets and open houses run lighter, about 1/4 pound per person for boneless, because people graze. Sit-down dinners run heavier.
3. Who is coming?
A table of teenagers and uncles eats more than a table of grandparents and toddlers. Use the high end of the range if you know your crowd.
Boneless vs. bone-in: which is easier to plan around?
Boneless is easier to estimate and easier to carve, and every slice is meat. Bone-in has more flavor at the bone, looks the part on the table, and leaves you a ham bone for beans or split pea soup. Spiral sliced is bone-in that has been cut for you. If you want the full comparison, read Boneless vs. Bone-In vs. Spiral: Which Holiday Ham to Buy.
How our hams arrive
Every ham on this list is hickory smoked in small batches by Ossian Smoked Meats in Ossian, Indiana, a family smokehouse in business since 1946. Hams ship frozen with dry ice, and you choose a ship date at checkout so it arrives the week you need it. Plan two to four days in the refrigerator to thaw, depending on size. Here is the thawing timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How much ham do I need for 10 people?
About 4 to 5 pounds of boneless ham, or 6 to 7 pounds of bone-in. Our 5-pound boneless half or 8-pound spiral half both work.
How much ham for 20 people?
7 to 10 pounds boneless, or 12 to 15 pounds bone-in. The 11-pound boneless whole is the safe pick with leftovers; the 17-pound spiral whole is the easy-serving pick.
How much ham for 30 people?
10 to 15 pounds boneless or 18 to 20 pounds bone-in. That is the 11-pound boneless whole (with a second meat) or the 18–20 pound bone-in on its own.
How much spiral ham per person?
Spiral hams are bone-in, so plan on 1/2 to 3/4 pound per person. An 8-pound spiral half feeds 10 to 12.
What if I buy too much?
Heated ham keeps about a week refrigerated. Slice what is left, freeze it flat in bags, and use it for breakfast, sandwiches, and soup through January. Keep the bone from a bone-in ham for beans.