How Many Porta Potties Do I Need?
Enter your guests or crew size and get a whole-number answer, with every step of the math shown.
What is the rule for how many porta potties per guest?
You need 1 standard porta potty for every 50 guests at an event of 4 hours or less, rounded up. For 5 to 8 hours, add 1 unit for every 2 units. When alcohol is served, add 1 unit per 100 guests. At least 5% of units, and never fewer than 1, should be wheelchair-accessible at public events.
How the calculator works: base = guests ÷ 50, rounded up. Over 4 hours: add 1 unit per 2 base units, rounded up. Alcohol: add 1 unit per 100 guests, rounded up. Accessible: 5% of the total, minimum 1, per 2010 ADA Standards §213.2. Hand wash: 1 station per 4 units when food is served. Crew mode uses OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51 Table D-1.
How many porta potties do I need for 100, 150 or 200 guests?
A 4-hour event with 100 guests needs 2 standard porta potties, 150 guests need 3, and 200 guests need 4. Stretch any of those events to 5 to 8 hours and the counts become 3, 5 and 6. Serve alcohol at a 5 to 8 hour event and the counts become 4, 7 and 8.
| Guests | 4 hours or less | 5–8 hours | 5–8 hours with alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 100 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 150 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| 200 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| 300 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| 500 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
How do I add porta potties for alcohol?
Add 1 porta potty per 100 guests when alcohol is served, rounded up. A 150-guest wedding with a bar adds 2 units, because 150 ÷ 100 = 1.5, which rounds up to 2. Guests drinking beer or wine use restrooms more often, and the extra units keep lines short during toasts and dancing.
How many porta potties does a construction crew need?
A construction crew of 20 or fewer workers needs at least 1 toilet under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51. Crews of more than 20 need 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers; crews of 200 or more need 1 seat and 1 urinal per 50. With weekly service, we recommend 1 standard unit per 10 workers on a 40-hour week.
Switch the calculator above to "A work crew" to see both numbers. Farm field crews follow a different rule, 1 toilet and 1 handwashing facility per 20 workers, under OSHA 1928.110. More on construction porta potty rentals.
What else changes the count?
Three things raise the porta potty count beyond the table: a crowd that is mostly women, because each visit takes longer; children, who visit more often; and a single break time, such as an intermission or a crew lunch. In each case, add 1 unit per 4 units in the table.
Got your number? Book event porta potties or send the count for a quote.
Sizing questions
How many porta potties for a 50-person party?
One standard unit covers a 50-person party of up to 4 hours. Add a second unit if it runs longer or if alcohol is served.
Do kids' birthday parties need more units?
Children visit restrooms more often. For a party with many kids, add 1 unit per 4 units in the table, or choose a flushing unit with a sink.
Does a hand wash station count as a toilet?
A hand wash station does not count toward the toilet total. Add stations on top of the toilet count.
How many restroom trailers equal a porta potty count?
Each trailer room handles about the same traffic as 1 to 1.5 standard units. A 2-station trailer replaces about 3 standard units.
Questions about your rental?
Call and get a straight answer from the people who run the trucks.
(610) 229-0108