Planning tool
Turkey Thaw Time Calculator
Estimate refrigerator or cold-water thawing time from turkey weight and start time.
Runs in your browser- Estimated thaw time
- 96 hours
- Estimated ready time
- 8/22/2026, 4:07:00 AM
- Refrigerator rule
- About 24 hours per 4–5 lb
- Cold-water rule
- About 30 minutes per lb
Keep refrigerator temperature at 40°F / 4°C or below. For cold-water thawing, keep the bird sealed, fully submerged in cold water, change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately after thawing.
How to use this turkey thaw time calculator
- Choose the food type or thawing method, enter the weight and start time, and check the planned finish window.
- Review the calculated totals, units, and assumptions. Check the inputs and units before relying on the result.
- Change one input at a time to compare another case, then copy or save the result you plan to use.
About this turkey thaw time calculator
Use the Turkey Thaw Time Calculator to estimate refrigerator or cold-water thawing time from turkey weight and start time. Each control affects a specific part of the result.
You can also use it to compare results after changing one input.
Example
Enter a 16-pound frozen turkey and compare refrigerator thawing with the faster cold-water method before choosing a start time.
Common uses
- → estimate refrigerator or cold-water thawing time from turkey weight and start time
- → compare results after changing one input
- → save an estimate for planning or comparison