Tool · Pasta
Pasta calculator
How much pasta per person? Choose the number of people, appetite and pasta type – you get grams of pasta, liters of water and grams of salt. Your selection is stored in the link, so you can share it.
How the calculator works
As a rule of thumb, allow 80 to 100 grams of dry pasta per person as a main course, and around 60 to 70 grams for small starters. Fresh egg pasta and filled pasta weigh more because they contain water. For cooking, use about 1 liter of water and 10 grams of salt per 100 grams of pasta. The salt seasons the pasta itself; the water should be at a good rolling boil before the pasta goes in.
The cooking time is on the package – start tasting two minutes before the time is up. Pasta is al dente when there is still a little bite left in the center. Save some pasta water: it binds the sauce.
These are rules of thumb, not strict rules. Appetite, side dishes and sauce change the amount. If you have to follow a low-salt diet, adjust the amount of salt according to medical advice.
Useful extras
For good results: Ad: The Amazon links are affiliate links. They lead to search results, not to a specific offer.
Spaghetti measure / portion gauge
Helps you quickly estimate the amount for 1–4 people.
Tall pasta pot
Plenty of water, little boiling over: a tall pot with a heavy base.
Pasta di Gragnano
Bronze-drawn pasta holds the sauce better.
Last updated: October 2026 · Rules of thumb from cooking practice. See also: Pasta in the guide and Spaghetti alla Carbonara.