Beer Keg Servings Calculator 2026
Instantly calculate how many pints, cups, or bottles you can pour from any keg size. Includes a party planner tool to estimate exactly how many kegs you need for your event.
Keg Servings or Party Planner?
Whether you have a keg and want to know how many drinks it holds, or you’re planning a party and need to know how many kegs to buy, we’ve got you covered.
Keg Servings Calculator
Find out how many pours you can get from your keg
Total liquid volume of the keg
Select your standard serving size
Accounts for foam head, line loss, and spillage
Servings Result
Total usable pours from your keg
Enter your keg details, then click Calculate Servings.
Party Beer Planner
Estimate how many kegs you need for your event
Total expected attendees
How long the party will last
Not everyone drinks beer; adjust accordingly
Select the keg size you plan to purchase
Party Planner Result
Recommended kegs and total volume
Enter your party details, then click Calculate Kegs Needed.
Common Beer Keg Sizes & Servings
A quick reference guide to standard keg volumes and their approximate serving yields, factoring in a standard 5% waste allowance.
| Keg Name | Volume (Gallons) | Total Ounces | 12 oz Servings | 16 oz Servings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Keg | 1.32 gal (5L) | 169 oz | ~13 | ~10 |
| Cornelius (Corny) | 5.0 gal | 640 oz | ~50 | ~38 |
| Sixtel (Sixth Barrel) | 5.16 gal | 661 oz | ~52 | ~39 |
| Quarter Barrel (Pony) | 7.75 gal | 992 oz | ~79 | ~59 |
| Half Barrel (Standard) | 15.5 gal | 1,984 oz | ~158 | ~119 |
Keg Servings Calculator FAQ
Everything you need to know about buying, pouring, and planning with beer kegs.
A standard US half-barrel keg holds 15.5 gallons, which equals 1,984 fluid ounces. Assuming a 5% allowance for foam and spillage, you can pour approximately 117 sixteen-ounce (16oz) pints from a half-barrel keg.
A sixtel (sixth-barrel) keg holds 5.16 gallons (661 oz), while a Cornelius (Corny) keg holds exactly 5.0 gallons (640 oz). They are very similar in size, but sixtels are the standard commercial size for craft beer, whereas Corny kegs are often repurposed from the soda industry for homebrewing.
A good rule of thumb is to plan for 2 to 3 drinks per guest for the first two hours, and 1 drink per guest for each additional hour. Always factor in that some guests may not drink alcohol, while others may drink more. Our Party Planner tab can help you calculate this precisely.
No pour is 100% efficient. Foam head, spillage, and beer left in the dispensing lines typically account for 5% to 10% of the keg’s total volume. Factoring this in ensures you don’t overestimate your available servings.
You can use a large plastic tub or galvanized trash can filled with a 50/50 mix of ice and water. Submerge the keg as much as possible. Avoid using just ice, as air pockets will reduce cooling efficiency. A jockey box (coil cooler) is also a great portable solution for outdoor events.