Cooking Time Calculator
Select the meat type, enter its weight and choose your target doneness to estimate total roasting/cooking time.
Use a meat thermometer These are general estimates. Always use a meat thermometer to verify safe internal temperatures (e.g. poultry 165°F, ground meats 160°F). Cooking times vary by oven, altitude and meat shape.
Cooking Time Calculator
Estimate roasting time by weight and doneness
Cooking time = weight (lb) × minutes per pound for the meat type and doneness, plus resting time. Use a meat thermometer to confirm safe internal temperature.
⚠️ Double-check important results. This is an educational estimate, not professional advice — and where it uses a rate, bracket or fee, those change over time. Verify anything you'll rely on, especially in legal, financial, tax or medical matters, and read our full disclaimer. Think a result is wrong? Tell us so we can fix it.
How Cooking Time Is Estimated
Roasting time is estimated as minutes per pound, depending on meat type and doneness:
Cooking time = weight (lb) × minutes per pound
**Approximate minutes per pound at 325–350°F**: - Beef: rare 15–20, medium-rare 20–25, medium 25–30, well 30–35 - Pork: 20–25 (always cook to well done, 145°F+) - Poultry: 15–20 (cook to 165°F) - Lamb: rare 15–20, medium 25–30, well 30–35
Add resting time (10–20 minutes) after cooking. Always verify with a meat thermometer.
- Minutes per pound varies by meat and doneness
- Always rest meat after cooking
- Use a meat thermometer for safety
- Times are estimates — ovens vary
Worked Example
Example: 4 lb beef roast, medium-rare.
- Beef medium-rare: ~22 min/lb - Cooking time: 4 × 22 = 88 minutes (~1 hr 28 min) - Resting time: 15 minutes - Total: ~1 hour 43 minutes - Target internal temp: 130–135°F (medium-rare)
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Open calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Is this safe for all meat?
These are estimates. Always use a meat thermometer — poultry to 165°F, ground meats to 160°F, and whole cuts to your preferred doneness. Never rely on time alone.
Does oven temperature matter?
Yes. Higher temperatures cook faster but may brown the outside before the inside is done. These estimates assume 325–350°F roasting.
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