Calculate servings, batter, and frosting for any cake
| Size | Party | Wedding | Dessert |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6" round (2 layers) | 7 | 14 | 9 |
| 8" round (2 layers) | 12 | 25 | 16 |
| 9" round (2 layers) | 15 | 31 | 21 |
| 10" round (2 layers) | 19 | 39 | 26 |
| 12" round (2 layers) | 28 | 56 | 37 |
| 14" round (2 layers) | 38 | 76 | 51 |
Inputs
Result
Area = π × 4.5² = 63.62 sq in per layer. Total area = 63.62 × 2 = 127.23 sq in. Servings = 127.23 / 8 = 15 (wait, actual: floor(127.23/8) = 15). Batter = 63.62 × 2 × 2 / 28.27 = 9.0 cups.
Inputs
Result
Area = 9 × 13 = 117 sq in × 1 layer = 117 sq in. Servings = floor(117 / 8) = 14 party-sized servings.
A standard 2-layer 9-inch round cake yields approximately 32 party servings (8 sq in each), 80 wedding-size servings (4 sq in each), or 42 dessert-sized servings (6 sq in each). The total area is about 254 sq in for 2 layers combined.
Standard serving sizes vary by event: party/birthday servings are about 4" × 2" × 2" (8 sq in), wedding cake servings are smaller at 2" × 2" × 2" (4 sq in), and dessert-sized servings are about 3" × 2" × 2" (6 sq in). The serving size depends on the type of event.
As a general rule, you need about 2 cups of batter per square inch of pan area divided by the height factor. For a standard 9-inch round pan (area ≈ 63.6 sq in), you need approximately 4-5 cups of batter per layer. One standard box cake mix makes about 4-5 cups of batter.
A 2-layer 9-inch round cake typically needs about 5 cups of frosting: approximately 1.5 cups between layers, 2 cups for the sides, and 1.5 cups for the top. Sheet cakes need less because there are no sides to cover. Add extra if you plan to do decorative piping.
Calculate each tier separately. A common 3-tier wedding cake (6" + 8" + 10" rounds, each 2 layers) yields approximately 78 party servings or 150 wedding-size servings. Add the servings from each tier together for the total.
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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026
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