What percentage of guests are typically vegetarian?

In the UK, around 5-10% of the population is vegetarian and 2-3% is vegan, but this varies hugely by age group and location. For younger crowds (18-30), expect 15-20% vegetarian/vegan. Always ask guests directly rather than guessing, but these percentages are useful for initial planning.

Do I need separate menus for each dietary requirement?

Not necessarily. A well-planned menu can cover multiple requirements. For example, a vegan and gluten-free main course covers vegans, vegetarians, dairy-free and gluten-free guests in one dish. Aim for 3-5 menu options that between them cover all requirements.

What is the overlap factor?

The overlap factor accounts for guests who have multiple dietary requirements — for example, someone who is both vegan and gluten-free. A factor of 1.3 means that the raw total of requirements is divided by 1.3 to estimate the actual number of people, since about 30% of requirements overlap with each other.

How many spare portions should I order?

Order 10% extra portions as a minimum. This covers last-minute guests, guests who change their mind, and dietary requirements not declared in advance. For allergen-specific dishes (nut-free, gluten-free), order at least 2 spare portions regardless of numbers.

Dietary Requirements Tracker

Track dietary needs for your event and calculate exact counts for each requirement.

Total Guests

Total number of people attending

% Vegetarian

% vegetarian as a percentage

% Vegan

% vegan as a percentage

% Gluten-Free

% gluten-free as a percentage

% Nut Allergy

% nut allergy as a percentage

% Dairy-Free

% dairy-free as a percentage

% Halal

% halal as a percentage

% Kosher

% kosher as a percentage

How We Calculate This

This calculator converts dietary requirement percentages into exact guest counts and estimates menu planning needs.

How it works

Count per requirement = total guests x percentage
Total with restrictions = sum of all counts / overlap factor
Overlap factor (default 1.3) accounts for guests with multiple requirements
Menu options = 1 standard + 1 per active dietary category

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.