Food cost calculator: know every plate cost, price for profit
Enter each ingredient the way you buy it (pack size, unit, price and yield after trimming), build your recipes in grams, ounces, cups or spoons, and Platesprig works out the cost per portion, the food cost % at your menu price and a plate cost breakdown that shows which ingredient drives the cost. It runs in your browser and works offline in the kitchen.
A real Platesprig menu costing (bistro example data, 30% target, x.99 rounding, 2 Oct 2026)
| Dish | Cost / portion | Menu price | Food cost | Price at 30% | Gross profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margherita pizza | $2.78 | $12.50 | 22.3% | $9.99 | $9.72 |
| Cheeseburger & fries | $4.44 | $13.50 | 32.9% | $14.99 | $9.06 |
| Spaghetti carbonara | $3.41 | $14.00 | 24.4% | $11.99 | $10.59 |
| Chicken Caesar salad | $3.31 | $12.00 | 27.6% | $11.99 | $8.69 |
Source: Platesprig bistro example, generated 2 Oct 2026.
Platesprig vs the alternatives
Published prices, each checked on the date shown; prices change, so confirm on each site.
| Product | Price | Free | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platesprig Pro | $5/month or $39 once | 5 recipes and 25 ingredients | live |
| meez | Starter $19/month billed annually or $24 monthly; Pro $89/$119; Premium $179/$199 | not checked today | 2026-10-02 |
| Apicbase | From €249/month | not checked today | 2026-10-02 |
| Recipe cost spreadsheet templates (Gumroad) | $2.99-$3.99 once | not checked today | 2026-10-02 |
Why teams pick Platesprig
- No subscription needed: Lifetime is $39 once, about two months of meez Starter at $19/month billed annually.
- Free means usable: 5 recipes and 25 ingredients with food cost %, suggested prices and printable cost cards.
- Real kitchen units: g, kg, oz, lb, ml, l, fl oz, cups and spoons, yield % for trim and waste, density for cups of flour.
- Private and offline: nothing is uploaded; install it on the kitchen tablet.
How it works
- Add your ingredients: pack size, unit, price paid and yield %.
- Build each recipe with quantities and how many portions it makes.
- Read the cost per portion and food cost %, then take the suggested price or print a cost card.
FAQ
How do I calculate food cost percentage?
Food cost % = cost per portion ÷ menu price × 100. The example burger costs $4.44 to plate and sells for $13.50, so it runs at 32.9%. If your menu prices include sales tax or VAT, Platesprig takes the tax out first.
Why not meez?
meez is a full recipe platform for professional kitchens: Starter $19/month billed annually or $24 monthly, Pro $89/$119, Premium $179/$199 (meez pricing page, 2 Oct 2026). Platesprig is for owners who want the costing maths without a subscription: free for 5 recipes, or $39 once.
What is yield %?
The share of what you buy that ends up on the plate after trimming and waste. Romaine at 75% means a quarter is thrown away, so each usable gram costs a third more than the invoice price suggests.
Is my data private?
Yes. Platesprig runs in your browser: your ingredients, supplier prices and recipes are saved only on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
Can I cancel Pro?
Yes. The $5 monthly plan cancels any time from your Stripe receipt email; the $39 Lifetime plan is one payment with nothing to cancel.
Is the 30% target a rule?
No. Platesprig starts at 30% as an editable assumption. Set your own target from your own rent, labour and margin.