Picking calculator
How many apples are in a peck or bushel? And how many you need for a pie
A peck is a volume, not an exact apple count. Use practical weight estimates and a small pie calculator before filling your picking bag.
Orchards Near Me · 20 October 2026
Four pecks make one bushel
Pecks and bushels measure volume. A bushel is four pecks. The weight and number of apples that fit depend on fruit size and packing, so neither gives an exact apple count.
For US buying maths, a commonly used reference is around 48 lb per bushel or 12 lb per peck. Treat these as planning weights, not a promise about your farm’s container. Ask whether you pay by measured weight or named basket size.
How much fruit for pie?
For a typical 9-inch apple pie, plan roughly 2–3 lb of whole apples, often around 6–8 medium fruit. Your recipe may need more for a deep dish, and peeling and coring reduce the usable amount.
The calculator below uses that range. It gives an estimate rather than an exact count. Weigh the apples and follow your recipe at home.
Pick only what you will use
Plan for pies, fresh eating and storage before visiting. Handle fruit gently and keep bruised apples aside for early use. If a basket is larger than you need, ask about smaller purchases.
Where farms sell in kilograms, confirm the actual weight instead of assuming US bushel conventions. Twelve pounds is approximately 5.4 kg; 48 lb is approximately 21.8 kg.
Apple pie picking calculator
Plan for 2–3 lb, roughly 6–8 medium apples.
Allow about 1 peck at a planning weight of 12 lb each. Sizes and recipes vary; follow your recipe and weigh the fruit.
Questions before you go
How many pounds is a peck of apples?
About 12 lb is a common US planning reference, but a peck is a volume and actual weight varies.
How many apples are in a bushel?
There is no fixed count. A bushel is four pecks; large and small apples produce different counts. Use weight for recipes.
How many apples for an apple pie?
Roughly 6–8 medium apples is a starting estimate for a typical 9-inch pie. Follow your recipe.
How many pounds of apples for a pie?
Plan about 2–3 lb of whole apples for a typical 9-inch pie, allowing for peeling and coring.
Find places to visit
Season months are approximate, not live opening updates. Check the farm’s official information for today’s hours, picking availability, prices and booking.