What is the average weight (in pounds) of a Thanksgiving turkey?

The average Thanksgiving turkey weighs about 16 pounds.

That figure describes the typical whole bird purchased for a U.S. holiday meal, not the weight of every turkey or the amount of meat each guest eats. Actual birds vary considerably: smaller hens are often selected for modest gatherings, while larger toms can weigh well above 20 pounds.

The 16-pound benchmark became a familiar Thanksgiving statistic because it represents a common retail-sized bird and is useful for estimating portions. A rough planning rule is to allow about 1 to 1½ pounds of uncooked turkey per person, depending on appetite, side dishes and whether leftovers are wanted. Much of the bird’s weight is bone, skin and moisture lost during cooking, so edible meat weighs substantially less.

This answer should not be confused with per-capita turkey consumption. Americans may consume around 16 pounds of turkey over a much longer period, while a single holiday bird is simply often near that weight.