Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Cost per serving
$4.20
Weekly savings
$118.00
Annual savings
$6,136
Effective $ per prep hour
$59.00
Psst — share this and help Rex grow
One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter total ingredient cost ($).
- 2Enter servings produced.
- 3Enter typical takeout meal ($).
- 4Enter prepped meals per week.
- 5Enter prep hours per batch.
- 6Read your cost per serving on the right — it updates as you type.
- 7Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Add up ingredient cost for a batch, divide by servings, and compare it to what you'd otherwise spend eating out — annualized so the number actually lands.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Total ingredient cost: 42 $
- Servings produced: 10
- Typical takeout meal: 16 $
- Prepped meals per week: 10
- Prep hours per batch: 2
Results
- Cost per serving: $4.20
- Weekly savings: $118.00
- Annual savings: $6,136
- Effective $ per prep hour: $59.00
What each field means
Inputs
- Total ingredient cost ($)
- The total ingredient cost used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 42 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Servings produced
- The servings produced used in the calculation. Starts at 10 so you have a working example on load.
- Typical takeout meal ($)
- The typical takeout meal used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 16 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Prepped meals per week
- The prepped meals per week used in the calculation. Starts at 10 so you have a working example on load.
- Prep hours per batch
- The prep hours per batch used in the calculation. Starts at 2 so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Cost per serving
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Weekly savings
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Annual savings
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Effective $ per prep hour
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Why does the hourly number matter?
It tells you whether prepping is worth your time. If it lands under your real hourly rate, prep less and simplify recipes instead.
Should I include utilities?
Oven and stove energy is usually well under $0.50 a batch. Add it to ingredient cost if you want the strict number.
Accuracy and limitations
- Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
- Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
- Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Meal Prep Cost Per Serving Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/meal-prep-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/meal-prep-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meal Prep Cost Per Serving Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Meal Prep Cost Per Serving Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/meal-prep-cost) (2026).