Wedding Keg Calculator — How Many Kegs Do You Need?
Enter your guest count, how many guests drink beer and how many beers each will have — get the exact kegs to order, by keg size, with the pours left over and the cost.
| Item | How it is worked out | Your number |
|---|
How the keg maths works
A standard keg pour is 12 oz. A half barrel holds 15.5 gallons, which is 165 pours on paper — but foam, priming the lines and the odd spilled cup mean planners count on roughly 150 usable pours from a half barrel, 75 from a quarter barrel and 50 from a sixth barrel. This calculator uses those usable numbers, so the keg count already includes your safety margin. Two smaller kegs beat one big one when you want two beer styles — a sixth barrel of something craft alongside a half barrel of the crowd-pleaser is the classic split.
Kegs also need a tap (pump), a tub and ice, and most stores charge a refundable deposit on top of the price above. Keep the keg cold and shaded: warm beer foams, and foam is pours you paid for going down the drain.
Kegs by guest count (40% beer drinkers, 3 beers each)
| Guests | Beer servings | Half barrels | Quarter barrels | Sixth barrels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 60 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 100 | 120 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 150 | 180 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 200 | 240 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 250 | 300 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 300 | 360 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
Plan the rest of the bar
Kegs sorted? Work out the wine, champagne, spirits, mixers and ice in the Wedding Drink Calculator, check the toast bottles in the Champagne Calculator, and staff the bar with the Bartender Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many beers are in a half keg?
165 twelve-ounce pours on paper (15.5 gallons). In real wedding conditions — foam, priming and spillage — plan on about 150 usable pours, which is the number this calculator uses.
How many kegs do I need for 100 guests?
One half-barrel keg covers 100 guests when about 40% drink beer at 3 beers each (120 servings). If most guests drink beer, or the reception runs long, order two — or one half barrel plus a sixth barrel of a second style.
Is a keg cheaper than cans or bottles?
Usually, per serving: a half barrel at around $175 works out near $1.17 per usable pour, against roughly $19 for a 24-case (about $0.79 per can before deposits and ice, but with far more packaging to chill and clear). Compare with your local prices using the case equivalent in the results above.
What else do I need with a keg?
A tap/pump, a tub and plenty of ice (one 10 lb bag per keg to set up, more on a hot day), cups, and the refundable keg deposit most stores charge. Keep the keg shaded and cold — warm beer foams and wastes pours.
How long does a keg stay fresh?
With a hand pump, finish it the day it is tapped — air spoils the beer within a day or so. Untapped and kept cold, most kegs keep for 30-45 days from filling, so you can collect it a few days early.