Free Turkey Thaw and Cook Time Calculator (USDA Times)
Type in your turkey's weight to see how early to start thawing it and about how long it roasts. The times come from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
It runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
Check it with a thermometer: 165°F
Roasting times are estimates. A whole turkey is safe when a food thermometer reads at least 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and the innermost part of the thigh and wing. If you stuff the bird, the center of the stuffing must reach 165°F too. Let it stand 20 minutes before carving.
How the math works
- Fridge thaw (40°F or below): about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 lb, so weight ÷ 5 to weight ÷ 4 days, shown as a whole-day range. A thawed turkey keeps 1 to 2 more days in the fridge.
- Cold-water thaw: about 30 minutes per pound. Change the water every 30 minutes and cook it right away.
- Roasting at 325°F: USDA's timetable by weight range, unstuffed and stuffed. Birds under 8 lb use the turkey-breast rows.
- Cooking from frozen is safe but takes at least 50% longer.
Source: USDA FSIS, Let's Talk Turkey: A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey. Not affiliated with USDA. USDA's tables stop at 24 lb.
Working out the whole meal? See the Thanksgiving cooking timeline guide to plan the sides around the oven.
Plan the whole dinner in one spreadsheet
The Thanksgiving Hosting Planner 2026 ($7, Excel & Google Sheets) has the same thaw helper, plus a menu planner, a cooking timeline worked back from your serving time, a shopping list, a budget and a guest list. Coming to the shop on November 1.
We make this planner, so take that into account. The calculator above is free to use either way.
Questions
How long does a turkey take to thaw in the fridge?
USDA says to allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds in a refrigerator at 40°F or below. A 16 lb turkey needs about 3 to 4 days.
How long does a turkey take to thaw in cold water?
About 30 minutes per pound. Keep it wrapped, submerge it in cold tap water, change the water every 30 minutes and cook it right after it thaws.
How long do I roast a turkey at 325°F?
USDA's timetable for an unstuffed 12 to 14 lb turkey is 3 to 3¾ hours, and 14 to 18 lb is 3¾ to 4¼ hours. Stuffed birds take longer. Times are approximate, so always check with a food thermometer.
What temperature is a turkey done?
165°F, measured with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the breast and the innermost part of the thigh and wing. Stuffing must also reach 165°F.
Can I cook a turkey that's still frozen?
Yes. USDA says it's safe, but it takes at least 50 percent longer than a fully thawed turkey.
More free tools: all calculators, including the Thanksgiving dinner cost calculator.