How many minutes per pound does a turkey need?

At 325 °F, an unstuffed turkey needs roughly 13–15 minutes per pound, while a stuffed turkey needs about 15–17 minutes per pound. Higher oven temperatures reduce the time proportionally. These estimates assume the bird starts at refrigerator temperature; a room-temperature bird will finish faster.

What internal temperature is safe for turkey?

The USDA requires a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) in the thickest part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing, and the thickest part of the breast. For stuffed turkey, the center of the stuffing must also reach 165 °F.

Does a stuffed turkey really take longer?

Yes. The stuffing absorbs heat, so the bird's core takes longer to come up to temperature. Expect 30–45 extra minutes over an equivalently sized unstuffed bird. This is why many cooks prefer to bake stuffing in a separate dish — it reduces oven time and eliminates the risk of undercooked stuffing.

How long should I rest the turkey before carving?

Rest the turkey 20–30 minutes, loosely tented with foil, before carving. During resting the internal temperature rises another 5–10 °F and the juices redistribute through the meat. Skipping the rest results in dry slices and a flooded cutting board.

Can I use this for a frozen turkey?

No — this calculator assumes the turkey is fully thawed. A frozen or partially frozen bird will take significantly longer and may not cook evenly. Thaw in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours for every 4–5 pounds of turkey weight.

Does convection change the cooking time?

Yes. Convection ovens circulate hot air and typically reduce time by 25%, or allow you to lower the temperature by 25 °F while keeping the same time. Reduce the estimate shown here by about 20–25% if using convection roast mode.

Turkey Cooking Time Calculator

Name: Turkey Cooking Time Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter your turkey weight, whether it is stuffed, and oven temperature to get an accurate roasting time estimate with a step-by-step timeline.

Turkey Details

Turkey Weight

Stuffing

Unstuffed Stuffed

Oven Temperature

Turkey Starting State

Enter your turkey details and click Calculate

Summary

Enter your turkey weight, whether it is stuffed, and oven temperature to get an accurate roasting time estimate with a step-by-step timeline.

How it works

Enter the turkey's total weight and choose pounds or kilograms.
Select whether the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed.
Choose your oven temperature from the preset options.
Click Calculate to see the estimated roasting time and range.
Review the step-by-step timeline and food-safety tips before roasting.

Use cases

Plan Thanksgiving or Christmas meal timing around the turkey.
Estimate oven time for a fresh or fully thawed turkey of any size.
Compare cooking times for stuffed versus unstuffed birds before deciding.
Verify the correct internal temperature targets for food-safe turkey.
Coordinate side dishes and oven scheduling around the main roast.
Convert weight from kilograms for recipes written in a different unit.
Determine when to put the turkey in to be ready for a specific serving time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed by Nham Vu