About the Pizza Size Calculator
Pizza is sold by diameter, but you eat area — and area grows with the square of the diameter. This pizza size calculator compares two orders side by side, for example one large versus two mediums, and shows how many square inches of pizza you get, what each order costs per square inch and which one is the better value.
It settles the classic question of whether two medium pizzas are bigger than one large (usually they are not), helps you order enough for a group, and compares specials such as “two 12-inch pizzas for $20” against a single 18-inch pie. Enter the diameter, price and quantity for each option.
The comparison assumes round pizzas and counts the whole area including crust. Crust takes a larger share of smaller pizzas, so the true topping-area advantage of a big pizza is even greater than shown.
How to use the pizza size calculator
- 1Enter the diameter, price and number of pizzas for Option A.
- 2Enter the same details for Option B.
- 3Compare total area to see which order is more food.
- 4Compare the price per square inch to see which is better value.
- 5Use the size table to see how other diameters compare with a 12-inch pizza.
Formula and method
A round pizza’s area is π times the radius squared, where the radius is half the diameter. Because the diameter is squared, doubling the size of a pizza gives four times as much food: a 16-inch pizza (201 sq in) has 78% more area than a 12-inch (113 sq in).
Dividing each order’s total price by its total area gives the price per square inch. The option with the lower price per square inch is better value, regardless of how many pizzas or slices it comes in.
- d
- Pizza diameter (inches)
- π
- Pi, about 3.1416
Worked examples
One 16-inch large vs two 12-inch mediums
The large has π × 8² ≈ 201 sq in for $18 (about 9.0¢ per sq in). Two mediums have 2 × π × 6² ≈ 226 sq in for $24 (about 10.6¢). The mediums give about 12.5% more pizza, but the large is the cheaper pizza per bite.
18-inch vs 14-inch
An 18-inch pizza is 254 sq in versus 154 sq in for a 14-inch — 65% more food for only $7 more. At 8.6¢ per sq in it beats the 14-inch at 9.7¢.
Three 10-inch personal pizzas vs one 16-inch
Three 10-inch pizzas give 236 sq in for $24 (10.2¢ per sq in), while one 16-inch gives 201 sq in for $20 (9.9¢). The personal pizzas are more food, but the single large is slightly better value.
Frequently asked questions
Are two medium pizzas bigger than one large?+
It depends on the sizes. Two 12-inch pizzas (226 sq in) are a bit more than one 16-inch (201 sq in), but two 12-inch pizzas are much less than one 18-inch (254 sq in). Usually the single large is cheaper per square inch.
How many square inches is a 16 inch pizza?+
A 16-inch round pizza has an area of about 201 square inches (π × 8²). That is 78% more than a 12-inch pizza and more than twice a 10-inch pizza.
How do you calculate the price per square inch of pizza?+
Work out the area as π × radius², where the radius is half the diameter, then divide the price by that area. For example, $18 ÷ 201 sq in = about $0.09 per square inch for a 16-inch pizza.
Why is a large pizza usually better value?+
Area grows with the square of the diameter, but prices usually rise more slowly. A pizza that is a third wider has about 78% more area, so the price per square inch drops as the size goes up.
How many pizzas do I need for a party?+
A common rule is about three slices (roughly 3/8 of a 14-inch pizza) per adult. The party food calculator can help plan quantities for a group.