Cake Serving Chart: How Many Slices You Need for Any Size

If you’ve ever wondered whether a 9‑inch cake will feed 12 guests or a half‑sheet will cover a big party, you’re not alone. A simple cake serving chart takes the guesswork out of slicing, so you end up with enough pieces and not a lot of leftovers. Below you’ll get practical numbers for round, square and sheet cakes, plus quick tips for tweaking the chart to fit kids, big eaters, or a tight budget.

Round Cakes – Slice By Size

Round cakes are the most common, and the slice count changes with the diameter. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• 6‑inch round – 8 medium slices (good for 6‑8 people).
• 8‑inch round – 12 slices (fits 10‑12 guests).
• 9‑inch round – 14–16 slices (ideal for 12‑16 people).
• 10‑inch round – 18–20 slices (covers 16‑20 guests).
• 12‑inch round – 24 slices (perfect for a larger crowd of 20‑24).

To get those numbers, cut the cake into concentric circles first, then slice each ring into equal pieces. If you have a lot of kids, you can make the inner rings smaller so the total piece count goes up without making each bite huge.

Sheet and Square Cakes – Cutting Tips

Sheet cakes are great for big events because you can change the size easily. A standard half‑sheet (9×13 in) usually yields 24‑30 slices if you cut 2‑inch squares. A full‑sheet (12×18 in) can give you 48‑60 pieces.

Square cakes follow the same logic. A 9‑inch square cut into 2‑inch squares serves about 20 people, while a 12‑inch square serves roughly 35.

Want more or fewer pieces? Just adjust the size of each square. Cutting 1.5‑inch squares on a half‑sheet bumps the count to about 36, perfect for a party with a lot of kids who take tiny bites.

Remember to leave a little space between cuts so the pieces stay neat. A simple ruler or a cake slicer helps keep everything even.

**Quick adjustments** – If you know the crowd will have big eaters, keep the pieces a bit larger and cut fewer squares. If you’re serving desserts alongside other sweets, you can afford to make the slices smaller.

Using this cake serving chart, you can plan ahead, order the right cake size, or bake one yourself without the stress of “who gets the last piece?” It also saves money because you won’t over‑order or waste leftover cake.

Next time you’re planning a celebration, grab a pen, write down the number of guests, pick the cake shape, and match it with the numbers above. You’ll get the perfect portion every time, and everyone gets a happy bite.