Portable Restroom Calculator
Estimate the number of porta potties needed for your event or job site.
How Many Porta Potties Do I Need?
Planning the sanitation for an outdoor event or a construction project is crucial for comfort, hygiene, and compliance. The number of portable restrooms you need depends on three primary factors: the number of attendees, the duration of the event, and whether alcohol is being consumed.
The "Rule of Thumb" for Events
For a standard event lasting up to 4 hours, the general industry standard is 1 portable restroom per 100 people. However, as the duration increases, the capacity of the units is reached faster. If your event lasts 8 hours, you would typically need to double that estimate to roughly 2 units per 100 people.
The Alcohol Factor
It is a well-known logistical fact in the sanitation industry that serving alcohol increases restroom usage by approximately 15% to 20%. Our calculator automatically applies a 15% multiplier if you check the "alcohol served" box to ensure your guests aren't stuck in long lines.
Construction Site Requirements (OSHA)
For construction and job sites, the requirements are different and often governed by OSHA regulations. Generally, you need 1 unit per 10 workers for a standard 40-hour work week, assuming a once-a-week service schedule. If you have 50 workers, you will need at least 5 units.
ADA Accessibility
In most jurisdictions, for public events, at least 5% of your portable restrooms must be ADA accessible, and no less than one ADA unit per cluster of toilets. Our calculator includes at least one ADA-compliant unit in every calculation to help you meet minimum accessibility standards.
Example Calculations
- Wedding (200 guests, 6 hours, alcohol): You would need approximately 4 standard units and 1 ADA unit.
- Community Festival (1,000 guests, 4 hours, no alcohol): You would need approximately 10 standard units and 1 ADA unit.
- Small Job Site (15 workers): You would need 2 standard units.