HowMuchPerPerson

How much dip per person?

Plan on 3 tablespoons of dip per person. One jar (about 26 tablespoons) serves about 8 people.

For 20 guests: plan on 66 tablespoons: 3 jars or tubs (15–16 oz).

That's 3 tablespoons per guest, plus a 10% cushion. Range: 52–83 tablespoons depending on appetite.

↳ two or three different dips go further than one big bowl

Jars or tubs
3
about 26 tablespoons
Tablespoons
66
3 tablespoons per guest
Appetite range
52–83
light to hungry crowd

Adjust for your crowd

Appetite

Enter how many of your guests are kids; each counts as half an adult.

Dip chart: 10 to 200 people

tap a row for its own list ↓
GuestsTablespoonsJars or tubs
10 people332
20 people663
25 people834
30 people994
40 people1326
50 people1657
75 people24810
100 people33013
150 people49520
200 people66026

How many people do 2 jars of dip serve?

jars (15–16 oz)

Feeds about 17 people.

Everything else for 20 people

How we got this number

  1. 120 guests × 3 tablespoons = 60 tablespoons
  2. 2× 1.10 cushion = 66 tablespoons
  3. 3÷ 26 per jar = 2.5 → 3 jars or tubs (15–16 oz)

dip is counted in ounces; tubs and jars say their size on the label.

Food safety: keep dairy-based dips cold until serving and don't leave it out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (USDA).

Sources for this rule: Univ. of Illinois Extension chart (via Almanac); Tasting Table (2026); Ellen's Kitchen (quantity-cooking reference); Giant Food Stores; Food Lion.

See our full method and sources →

How to make a party dip (queso or French onion): the most-watched videos

Cheese Dips | Basics with BabishBinging with Babish · 5.2M views
Pantry Raid: Onion Dip EditionAlton Brown · 2M views

Videos from YouTube, picked by us from the most-watched on the topic; view counts as of October 2026. We don't make these videos and aren't paid for them. Pressing play loads YouTube.

Dip questions

How much dip per person?

Plan on 3 tablespoons of dip per person. One jar (about 26 tablespoons) serves about 8 people.

How much dip for 100 people?

Plan on 330 tablespoons: 13 jars or tubs (15–16 oz). That's 3 tablespoons per guest, plus a 10% cushion. Range: 264–413 tablespoons depending on appetite.

How many people do 2 jars of dip serve?

Feeds about 17 people.

Should kids count as a full person?

Count each kid as half an adult. Add them in the Kids box and the shopping list updates.