How Much Cheese For Pizza?
If you have ever made pizza at home, you know that probably the most challenging part of the assembly process is grating the perfect amount of cheese. And unfortunately, more often than not, you have to go back and grate more and more.
It would be a lot easier to grate the exact amount if you knew what that was.
So, is there a way to calculate how much cheese you need for a single pizza? While there are many variables to consider, we’ve created the ultimate guide that will help you calculate the ratios yourself, or you can just use our handy tables.
Today’s guide will explain everything you need to consider including the size of the pizza, the shape, the type of cheese you are using, and your personal preference as well.
Then, we’ve explained the formula and how you can use it to calculate a specific amount of cheese for your custom pizza size. But, as we’ve mentioned, there are three comprehensive tables you can use as well.
What Will Ultimately Affect The Amount Of Cheese You Need For Pizza?
Now, before diving deep into the exact amount of cheese you would need for different kinds of pizza, it’s important to understand that there are MANY variables that will ultimately affect your answer.
If you understand what they are, you will be able to calculate the correct amounts for the type and size of pizza that you are making.
This has many benefits, mainly saving you a ton of time having to constantly grate more or accidentally grating too much.
It can also save you some money if you are making a bunch of pizzas for a gathering or party.
You can now easily calculate how much cheese you will need so you can buy the exact amount and potentially even buy in bulk (which is much more cost-effective).
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what the variables are.
Size And Shape Of The Pizza
First things first, arguably the most obvious variable is the size of the pizza. Now, when we say “size” we are talking about the surface area.
If you are working with a round pizza (which is the traditional shape), your surface area will be increased (or decreased) by the diameter of the pizza.
But keep in mind that the shape of the pizza also changes the surface area.
A 10-inch (25.4cm) round pizza has a surface area of 78.54 square inches.
If you have a 10-inch square pizza, the surface area will be 100 square inches- quite a significant difference.
So, if you know how much cheese you need for an X-shapes or sized pizza, you can easily calculate the correct amounts for YOUR unique size and shape.
Essentially, if you have the formula, you can make your own calculations for any design or shape you want to make!
Type Of Cheese
Now, this is one that not many people consider. Different kinds of cheese have different volumes and different weights.
If you use 4 ounces (113 grams) of grated mozzarella cheese, you will be able to cover a much larger surface area than if you had 4 ounces (113 grams) of grated Parmesan cheese.
That’s because Parmesan weighs a lot more and makes up a lot less volume than mozzarella cheese does.
The same goes for popular pizza cheeses like feta cheese.
The amount of cheese you need to crumble to FULLY coat a pizza is ridiculous.
That is why cheese like feta isn’t used as a base. It’s usually incorporated as a topping instead.
There is no right or wrong as to which cheese you use. However, some work better than others.
For example, the best cheese for pizza is those with great melting properties and a good cheese string-pull. So, they include options like mozzarella, cheddar, Gouda, cotija, and Swiss cheese.
Then, cheeses like feta, goat’s cheese, Gorgonzola, and Parmesan are used as flavoring toppings.
Personal Preference
And finally, when it comes to the amount of cheese you need, one of the biggest factors is how much you like.
Some people prefer the standard amount of cheese (what we will focus on today), some people like less, and some like A LOT more.
At the end of the day, you can always customize it to your needs. Just remember to keep track of how much you ended up using so you can make a mental note for the future!
How Much Cheese For Pizza?
Let’s get down to the ratios! Again, these are only the standard (average) amounts for different kinds of pizza. You can adjust it in any way that you’d like.
We are also only working with traditional pizza cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, Gouda, etc. And use the standard grate size for the cheese.
We will show you how to calculate the amounts, but we’ve also included a table that will help you easily find the amounts of cheese for different kinds of pizza shapes and sizes.
The Formula
First, we’ll start with a standard medium round pizza that has a 12-inch (30.5 cm) diameter.
This pizza has a surface area of 113.1 square inches.
For this pizza, you will need 6 ounces (170 grams) of grated cheese.
This gives us the formula to work with.
Every 1 ounce (28.4 grams) of grated cheese will cover 18.85 square inches.
If you have a unique pizza (no matter the shape) that has a surface area of 170 square inches, you can divide this number by 18.85. That will give you nine (9).
This means that you will need 9 ounces (255 grams) of grated cheese for this particular pizza.
If you don’t know how to calculate the surface area of a circle, you can use this calculating tool. More complex shapes (like hearts or stars) will require a little more complicated math, but it’s still easy once you know how.
The Table
So, if you don’t feel like revisiting a math class, then you can use our easy-to-read tables that will show you the size of the pizza, the surface area, and how much cheese you will need.
We included the precise amount as well as a column with rounded-up amounts (to every point 5).
The reason we rounded up some amounts is that it is easier to buy and measure rounded numbers than, for example, 16.2 plus 10.7, etc.
That being said, as long as the minimum amount you add is the “precise” column amount, your pizza will come out great.
| Amount Of Cheese For Round Pizza | |||
| Diameter | Surface Area | Amount Of Cheese | Round Up Amount |
| 4 inch (10.2 cm) | 12.6 square inches | 0.7 oz | 1 oz |
| 6 inch (15.2 cm) | 28.27 square inches | 1.5 oz | 1.5 oz |
| 8 inch (20.3 cm) | 50.27 square inches | 2.7 oz | 3 oz |
| 10 inch (25.4 cm) | 78.54 square inches | 4.2 oz | 4.5 oz |
| 12 inch (30.5 cm) | 113.1 square inches | 6 oz | 6 oz |
| 14 inch (35.6 cm) | 153.94 square inches | 8.2 oz | 8.5 oz |
| 16 inch (40.6 cm) | 201.1 square inches | 10.7 oz | 11 oz |
| 18 inch (45.7 cm) | 254.47 square inches | 13.5 oz | 13.5 oz |
| 20 inch (50.8 cm) | 314.16 square inches | 16.7 oz | 17 oz |
| 22 inch (55.9 cm) | 380.1 square inches | 20.2 oz | 20.5 oz |
Now that we have covered most of the sizes for round pizzas, let’s take a look at square options, another popular shape pizzas are sold in.
| Amount Of Cheese For Square Pizza | |||
| Size | Surface Area | Amount Of Cheese | Round Up Amount |
| 4 inch (10.2 cm) | 16 square inches | 0.9 oz | 1 oz |
| 6 inch (15.2 cm) | 36 square inches | 1.9 oz | 2 oz |
| 8 inch (20.3 cm) | 64 square inches | 3.4 oz | 3.5 oz |
| 10 inch (25.4 cm) | 100 square inches | 5.3 oz | 5.5 oz |
| 12 inch (30.5 cm) | 144 square inches | 7.6 oz | 8 oz |
| 14 inch (35.6 cm) | 196 square inches | 10.4 oz | 10.5 oz |
| 16 inch (40.6 cm) | 256 square inches | 13.6 oz | 14 oz |
| 18 inch (45.7 cm) | 324 square inches | 17.2 oz | 17.5 oz |
| 20 inch (50.8 cm) | 400 square inches | 21.2 oz | 21.5 oz |
| 22 inch (55.9 cm) | 484 square inches | 25.7 oz | 26 oz |
And finally, we have also created a guide for some rectangular pizzas.
While they aren’t as common as round and square pizzas, they are increasing in popularity.
So, if you want to give your hand a try of these, this chart will help you calculate exactly how much cheese you need to add.
But don’t forget, you can use the formula we laid out above to calculate the amounts for any pizza that you have.
| Amount Of Cheese For Square Pizza | |||
| Size | Surface Area | Amount Of Cheese | Round Up Amount |
| 9 x 5 inches | 45 square inches | 2.4 oz | 2.5 oz |
| 11 x 7 inches | 77 square inches | 4.1 oz | 4.5 oz |
| 13 x 9 inches | 117 square inches | 6.2 oz | 6.5 oz |
| 18 x 12 inches | 216 square inches | 11.5 oz | 11.5 oz |
