Party budget split.

Party Budget Split Calculator: the short answer

There is no standard split. A common starting point for a birthday is about a third of the budget on food and the rest across venue, drinks, decor, entertainment, cake, favours and a cushion, all editable here.

Worked example

A $2,000 birthday budget for 25 guests using the birthday preset (venue 15, food 35, drinks 10, decor 8, entertainment 12, cake 8, favours 4, cushion 8, which add to 100): venue $300, food $700, drinks $200, decor $160, entertainment $240, cake and dessert $160, favours and invitations $80, cushion $160. That is $80.00 per guest, with food at $28.00 per guest.

How it works

Each category's amount = total budget x its share / sum of all shares. Dollars are allocated by the largest-remainder method so the cents of every category add up exactly to the total. Cost per guest = amount / guests.

The preset percentages are illustrative, not a published standard. The right split depends on whether you rent a venue, cook at home or hire entertainment. Set a share to 0 to drop a category; the others scale up to fill the budget.

Sources and basis (opened 2026-10-08): Arithmetic on the numbers you enter. The preset percentages are illustrative starting points, not sourced figures.

FAQ

How should I split a party budget?

There is no standard split. The presets are starting points: for a birthday, about a third on food and the rest across venue, drinks, decor, entertainment and cake. Change any share to fit your plans.

Why keep a cushion?

Costs often run over. A cushion category gives room for last-minute extras. Set it to 0 if you do not want one.

Do the shares have to add to 100?

No. They are scaled to 100%, so shares of 1 and 3 become 25% and 75%.

How is cost per guest worked out?

Each category amount divided by the guest count, and the total divided by guests. Leave guests blank to hide it.

Can I use this for a wedding?

It works for any event, but for weddings see the wedding budget calculator.