How Many Potatoes are in a Pound?

Whether you’re cooking up a dish that calls for a pound of potatoes, or simply want to know how much an individual one weighs – this guide will teach you everything you need to know! From russet and Idaho potatoes, to yukon gold and red potatoes. Read below to figure out just how many you’ll need to make the perfect dish!

If you’re scratching your head wondering how many potatoes you need for a pound or two to make those Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Shepherd’s Pie, then you’re in the right place.

The short answer… it totally depends.

A general rule of thumb is that one regular-sized russet potato will weigh about a pound.

However, the size and type of potato makes a big difference. So if you don’t want to base your calculation on this assumption, then you’ll want to read on for more information!

Number of Potatoes in a Pound

To get a pound of russet potatoes you’ll need: 1 large potato, 2 medium potatoes, or 3 small potatoes.

For a pound of Yukon gold or red potatoes you’ll need: 2-3 large potatoes, 3-5 medium potatoes, 5-10 small potatoes

If your recipe calls for 2 lbs. of potatoes, simply multiply the above amounts by 2, if it call for 3 pounds, multiply by 3, and so on.

Air fryer baked potatoes are topped with sour cream, cheese, chives, and bacon.

How many pounds does a russet potato weigh?

When weighing russet potatoes you’ll find:

One large russet potato weighs roughly 1-lb.
One medium russet potato weighs about ½-lb.
One small russet potato weighs close to ¹⁄₃-lb.

So on average a typical russet potato will weigh anywhere from ¹⁄₃ to 1 pound.

Mashed, Sliced, or Cubed Potatoes

Now that we’ve discussed how many whole potatoes you’ll need, what about the other forms it can come in?

To make up a pound you’ll need: 2 cups of mashed potatoes or 3-4 cups of sliced, diced, or cubed potatoes.

A colander is used to hold potatoes that have been boiled.

Use a Food Scale

The above are all great estimates, but at the end of the day they are merely a guess.

In order to get the most precise measurement you’ll want to use some type of food or kitchen scale.

Many grocery stores have them available in the produce section, or you can purchase one for a very affordable price online. (Here’s a link to a variety of food scales to choose from.)