Turkey cooking time calculator
Enter your turkey’s weight to see how long to roast it, what temperature to use and how long to rest it. Add your serving time and it tells you when it goes in the oven.
Turkey cooking times by weight
UK guidance from British Turkey: roast at 190°C (170°C fan), 375°F for 20 minutes per kg, plus 70 minutes for a turkey under 4 kg or 90 minutes for one of 4 kg or more. Weigh the bird with any stuffing in it.
| Weight | Cooking time | Rest at least |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kg (6.6 lb) | 2 h 10 min | 30 min |
| 4 kg (8.8 lb) | 2 h 50 min | 30 min |
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 3 h 10 min | 45 min |
| 6 kg (13.2 lb) | 3 h 30 min | 45 min |
| 7 kg (15.4 lb) | 3 h 50 min | 45 min |
| 8 kg (17.6 lb) | 4 h 10 min | 45 min |
| 9 kg (19.8 lb) | 4 h 30 min | 45 min |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | 4 h 50 min | 45 min |
US guidance from the USDA: roast at 325°F (165°C). A stuffed bird takes longer, because the stuffing must reach 165°F too.
| Weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed | Rest at least |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 2 h 45–3 h | 3 h–3 h 30 min | 30 min |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 2 h 45–3 h | 3 h–3 h 30 min | 30 min |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 2 h 45–3 h | 3 h–3 h 30 min | 45 min |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 3 h–3 h 45 min | 3 h 30–4 h | 45 min |
| 16 lb (7.3 kg) | 3 h 45–4 h 15 min | 4 h–4 h 15 min | 45 min |
| 18 lb (8.2 kg) | 3 h 45–4 h 15 min | 4 h–4 h 15 min | 45 min |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 4 h 15–4 h 30 min | 4 h 15–4 h 45 min | 45 min |
| 22 lb (10 kg) | 4 h 30–5 h | 4 h 45–5 h 15 min | 45 min |
| 24 lb (10.9 kg) | 4 h 30–5 h | 4 h 45–5 h 15 min | 45 min |
How to tell your turkey is cooked
Push a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone. It’s done at 74°C (165°F). Without a thermometer, pierce the thigh with a skewer: the juices should run clear, with no pink, and the leg should feel loose.
Resting
Lift the turkey onto a board, cover it loosely with foil and a couple of tea towels, and leave it for at least 30 minutes. A large bird stays hot for well over an hour, which frees the oven for roast potatoes and the rest of the sides.
Questions
How long does a 5 kg turkey take to cook?
About 3 h 10 min at 190°C (170°C fan), then at least 30 minutes to rest.
How long does a 14 lb turkey take?
At 325°F, 3 h to 3 h 45 min unstuffed, or 3 h 30 min to 4 h stuffed.
Should I cover the turkey with foil?
Cover it loosely for most of the cooking so the breast doesn’t dry out, then take the foil off for the last 45 minutes to brown the skin.
What temperature should a turkey be when it’s cooked?
At least 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the thigh.
How long should a turkey rest?
At least 30 minutes, and up to 90 for a big bird, covered loosely with foil.
Times are a guide: ovens and joints vary. Always check meat with a thermometer before serving. FeastFlow’s times come from British Turkey, AHDB and USDA guidance, last checked 9 November 2026.