How Long to Cook a Ham? Time Chart by Type and Weight
Most holiday hams are already cooked, so "cooking" one really means reheating it without drying it out. Here are the times by ham type and weight, the target temperatures, and a schedule for Christmas dinner on Friday, Dec 25, 2026.
The quick answer
At 325°F, plan about:
- Spiral-cut, fully cooked: 10 to 14 min per lb, to 140°F
- Whole bone-in, fully cooked: 15 to 18 min per lb, to 140°F
- Half bone-in, fully cooked: 18 to 24 min per lb, to 140°F
- Cook-before-eating (partly cooked): 22 to 26 min per lb whole, 35 to 40 min per lb half, to 145°F plus a 3-minute rest
- Fresh (raw) ham: 22 to 26 min per lb whole, to 145°F plus a 3-minute rest
Check the label: it says "fully cooked" or "cook before eating". These are the USDA's approximate times; cook to temperature, not to the clock, with a thermometer in the thickest part away from the bone.
Cooking time chart (fully cooked, 325°F)
| Ham | Weight | Serves | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spiral-cut half | 7 lb | 9 to 10 | 1 hr 10 min to 1 hr 40 min |
| Spiral-cut half | 9 lb | 12 | 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr 5 min |
| Half bone-in | 6 lb | 8 | 1 hr 50 min to 2 hr 25 min |
| Half bone-in | 8 lb | 10 to 11 | 2 hr 25 min to 3 hr 10 min |
| Whole bone-in | 12 lb | 16 | 3 hr to 3 hr 35 min |
| Whole bone-in | 16 lb | 21 | 4 hr to 4 hr 50 min |
Servings use about 3/4 lb bone-in per person. Start checking 30 minutes before the low end.
Target temperatures
| Ham type | Heat to |
|---|---|
| Fully cooked, in the original packaging | 140°F |
| Fully cooked but repackaged, or leftovers | 165°F |
| Cook-before-eating or fresh ham | 145°F, then rest 3 minutes |
How much ham to buy
Plan about 3/4 lb bone-in per person (1 lb if you want leftovers), or 1/2 lb boneless. For a full chart, see how much ham per person.
Step by step (spiral-cut)
- Thaw a frozen ham in the fridge, about 4 to 6 hours per lb.
- 1 hour before: take it out of the fridge and heat the oven to 325°F.
- Wrap: set it cut side down in a roasting pan, add 1/2 cup water, and cover tightly with foil so the slices don't dry out.
- Heat: 10 to 14 min per lb until 120°F.
- Glaze: uncover, brush on the glaze, turn the oven up to 400°F, and bake 10 to 15 minutes more until it reaches 140°F and the glaze bubbles.
- Rest: 10 to 15 minutes, then carve along the bone.
Example: 9 lb spiral ham for 12 guests, dinner at 5 PM
- 2:00 PM: ham out of the fridge, oven to 325°F
- 2:45 PM: covered ham into the oven
- 4:10 PM: first temperature check
- about 4:25 PM: glaze, oven to 400°F
- about 4:40 PM: out at 140°F, rest; sides go in the oven
- 5:00 PM: carve and serve
Build in 20 to 30 minutes of slack. A warm ham holds well under foil.
FAQ
Covered or uncovered? Covered for most of the time, uncovered only to glaze.
Can I use a slow cooker? A ham that fits (usually 6 to 8 lb boneless) takes about 4 to 6 hours on low. Check it reaches 140°F.
How long are leftovers good? 3 to 5 days in the fridge, or 1 to 2 months frozen. Reheat to 165°F.
Can I cook a ham the day before? Yes. Chill it within 2 hours, then reheat slices covered with a splash of broth to 165°F.
Plan the rest of Christmas dinner
- Christmas dinner timeline and Christmas dinner menu planning
- Christmas grocery list 2026 and the Christmas dinner budget
- Other mains: how long to cook prime rib. Sides: how much mashed potatoes per person
Plan it on paper: the Christmas Dinner & Holiday Hosting Planner ($4) has the menu, shopping list and an oven schedule.
Set the table: the Christmas Place Cards & Table Set ($3) has name cards, a menu card and food labels. The Christmas Food Labels printable ($3) has fold-over dish cards with diet and allergy tick boxes. Labels help guests choose, but they don't guarantee a dish is allergen-free.
Related template: read about the christmas dinner hosting planner template
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
How long to cook a ham: 10 to 14 min per lb for spiral-cut at 325F, a chart by type and weight, target temperatures and a dinner schedule.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.