Turkey Cooking Time Calculator (by Weight)
Roasting time by weight — and when to put the bird in.
- Roasting time
- 2 hr 23 min
- Oven temperature
- 165°C
- Done at (internal)
- 74°C
- Rest before carving
- 30 min
- Weightunstuffed
- 5 kg
- Always cook to temperature, not time: the thickest part of the thigh should reach 74 °C (165 °F).
- Tent with foil if the skin browns too fast; baste or leave undisturbed to your preference.
- Resting for 30 minutes lets juices redistribute — the bird stays hot and carves cleanly.
Saved setups
Save your settings to reuse them later. They’re stored only on this device — nothing is uploaded.
What is the Turkey Cooking Time Calculator?
This turkey calculator estimates roasting time from the bird’s weight, whether or not it’s stuffed, and tells you the oven and safe internal temperatures. Enter the time you want to serve and it works backwards to tell you exactly when to put the turkey in — resting time included. It’s built around the standard 325 °F (165 °C) roast and works in pounds or kilograms, so it’s handy wherever you’re cooking the holiday meal.
How to use the Turkey Cooking Time Calculator
- 1 Enter the turkey’s weight and whether it’s fresh or frozen.
- 2 For a frozen bird, pick a thaw method to see how far ahead to start.
- 3 Optionally set your serve time to get an oven-in time.
- 4 Cook to the internal temperature shown, then rest 30 minutes.
Turkey roasting time chart by weight
Roasting times at 325 °F (165 °C), using the same 13 minutes per pound unstuffed and 15 minutes per pound stuffed that the calculator above applies. Add 30 minutes of resting to every time in this table.
| Turkey weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed | Fridge thaw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 1 hr 44 min | 2 hr | 2 days |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 2 hr 10 min | 2 hr 30 min | 3 days |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 2 hr 36 min | 3 hr | 3 days |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 3 hr 2 min | 3 hr 30 min | 4 days |
| 16 lb (7.3 kg) | 3 hr 28 min | 4 hr | 4 days |
| 18 lb (8.2 kg) | 3 hr 54 min | 4 hr 30 min | 5 days |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 4 hr 20 min | 5 hr | 5 days |
| 22 lb (10.0 kg) | 4 hr 46 min | 5 hr 30 min | 6 days |
| 24 lb (10.9 kg) | 5 hr 12 min | 6 hr | 6 days |
- Cook to temperature, not to time: the thickest part of the thigh must reach 74 °C (165 °F). Every time in this chart is an estimate for planning, not a doneness test.
- Fridge thawing runs about 24 hours per 4 lb and is the only method you can leave unattended. Never thaw a turkey at room temperature.
- Stuffed birds take longer because the stuffing itself must also reach 74 °C — check the stuffing, not just the meat.
Frequently asked questions
How long to cook a turkey per pound? +
At 325 °F (165 °C), allow about 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed bird and 15 minutes per pound if stuffed — then always confirm with a thermometer.
What temperature should turkey reach? +
The thickest part of the thigh must reach 74 °C (165 °F). Cook to temperature rather than time, and rest the bird for 30 minutes before carving.
How long does it take to thaw a frozen turkey? +
In the fridge, allow about 24 hours per 4 lb (so a 16 lb bird needs ~4 days). In cold water it’s faster — about 30 minutes per pound — but you must change the water every 30 minutes and cook it straight away. Set the turkey to “Frozen” and the thaw time appears.
How accurate are the results? +
The figures come from standard, tested references (USDA FoodData Central and King Arthur Baking) and are excellent starting points. Ovens, ingredients and equipment vary, so treat the numbers as a reliable guide and adjust to taste and doneness.
Is this calculator free, and does it send my data anywhere? +
Yes — it’s completely free and runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored on a server; the maths happens on your device, even offline once the page has loaded.