UK roast calculator – get your cooking time
Select your meat, enter the weight in kilograms (kg), and choose doneness (beef/lamb only). Our 2026 roast timer calculates precise oven time & resting.
✨ Your custom roast guide (2026):
Times based on standard fan-assisted oven (190°C conventional / 170°C fan). Always rest meat before carving.
Roasting times & temperatures table (per kg)
| Meat cut | Oven temp (°C fan) | Cooking time (per kg) | Resting (mins) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef (rare) | 190°C | 20 mins per 450g + 20 mins | 15–20 |
| Beef (medium) | 190°C | 25 mins per 450g + 20 mins | 15–20 |
| Beef (well done) | 190°C | 30 mins per 450g + 20 mins | 15 |
| Pork loin / leg | 200°C (then reduce) | 25 mins per 450g + 25 mins | 15–20 |
| Lamb (medium) | 190°C | 25 mins per 450g + 20 mins | 15 |
| Whole chicken | 190°C | 20 mins per 450g + 20 mins | 15 |
| Turkey (unstuffed) | 180°C | 15 mins per 450g + 20 mins | 20–30 |
| Gammon joint | 190°C | 20 mins per 450g + 20 mins | 15 |
How to use the roast calculator (step by step)
Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey or gammon. Different densities affect roasting time.
Use kitchen scales; weight in kg is the most critical factor for roast calculator accuracy.
For beef/lamb choose rare, medium or well-done. Poultry and pork are cooked through.
Rest for at least 15 minutes after roasting – juices redistribute, meat stays tender.
Exclusive 2026 roast insights
Start at low temp (120°C) for 1 hour then blast at 220°C for crispy exterior – our calculator can be adapted; yields edge-to-edge pink.
Rest 10 mins per 500g of meat – transforms even budget cuts into juicy roasts. Tested by UK butchers.
For perfect beef, aim for internal temp: 52°C rare, 60°C medium, 70°C well-done. Our times are guides, but thermometer = perfection.
Roast pork, lamb & chicken: specialist timings
Roast pork cooking time calculator: For crackling, start at 220°C fan for 20 mins then reduce to 180°C for remaining time. Use our calculator base: 25 mins per 450g + 25 mins. Pork shoulder benefits from slower cooking (+15 mins extra).
Slow roast leg of lamb cooking time calculator: For fall-apart lamb, cook at 160°C for 4–5 hours regardless of weight. Our primary calculator gives conventional times. For a Sunday showstopper, low & slow yields superior tenderness.
Chicken roasting calculator: 20 mins per 450g + 20 mins at 190°C fan, plus check juices run clear. 2026 update: brining the bird adds moisture and reduces overall perceived cooking variation.
Ultimate roast checklist (UK kitchen)
- Remove meat from fridge 1 hour before roasting
- Pat dry & season generously with salt & pepper
- Weigh meat accurately (digital scale)
- Preheat oven to correct temperature (fan or conventional)
- Use a meat thermometer for guaranteed doneness
- Rest under loose foil – never skip!
Roast calculator FAQs – BBC style answers
Our roast calculator uses traditional BBC Good Food method: minutes per 450g plus resting, updated for 2026 with fan oven adjustments. It covers beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey and gammon.
For medium-rare beef, allow 25 minutes per 450g (approx 0.45kg) plus 20 minutes at 190°C fan. Our interactive tool does it instantly – just select beef, weight and doneness.
Highly recommended – pork should reach 70°C internally. Use our roast pork cooking time calculator as a baseline but verify with probe for safety.
Yes, low & slow variations: cook at 160°C for 4+ hours regardless of weight. The standard calculator gives conventional roasting times; both work for lamb.
UK uses metric (kg, °C) and traditional roasting formulas based on 450g increments. Our tool is designed for British ovens and Sunday roast traditions.
Our times assume oven-roasted gammon. If you boil before roasting, reduce oven time by 30% – always check internal temp 70°C.
Important roasting disclaimer
Roast times are estimates based on standard UK cooking guidelines. Oven variances, meat shape, bone-in/boneless can affect actual time. Always verify with a meat thermometer. TotalCalcHub provides tools for assistance only – not liable for undercooked/overcooked meat. Updated for 2026, UK-centric.