Portable Toilet Calculator
Estimate the required number of sanitation units for your event or job site.
Estimated Requirements
*Calculations are based on PSAI (Portable Sanitation Association International) industry standards.
How Many Portable Toilets Do You Really Need?
Planning an outdoor event or managing a construction project involves many logistics, but none are more critical than sanitation. A lack of adequate facilities can lead to long lines, unhappy guests, and health code violations. This portable toilet calculator uses industry-standard formulas to ensure your site is properly equipped.
The Rule of Thumb
For a standard event lasting up to 10 hours, the baseline recommendation is one portable toilet for every 10 guests. However, this number fluctuates based on two primary factors: the duration of the event and whether alcohol is being served.
If you are serving alcohol, you should increase your unit count by at least 15-25%. Alcohol is a diuretic, which significantly increases the frequency of restroom visits.
Construction Site Requirements (OSHA)
For construction sites, OSHA standards are slightly different. Usually, one unit is required for every 20 workers or fewer. If you have a crew of 20+ people, you are required to provide at least one toilet and one urinal per every 40 workers.
Calculation Example
Imagine you are hosting a wedding for 200 guests that lasts 6 hours with an open bar:
- Base Units: For 200 people at 6 hours, standard charts suggest 3-4 units.
- Alcohol Adjustment: Adding 20% for the open bar brings the total to 5 units.
- ADA Requirement: At least 1 unit must be wheelchair accessible.
- Hand Hygiene: It is recommended to have 1 handwash station for every 2-3 toilet units.
| Number of Guests | 1-4 Hours | 5-10 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1 | 2 |
| 100 | 2 | 3 |
| 250 | 4 | 6 |
| 500 | 9 | 12 |
ADA Accessibility and Handwashing
It is best practice (and often legally required) to include at least one ADA-compliant portable toilet per cluster of units, or a minimum of 5% of the total unit count. Additionally, hand sanitizers or standalone handwash stations are essential for maintaining hygiene standards, especially when food is served.