Baker Percentage Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the baker percentage calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Baker Percentage Calculator

Formulas Used

Flour

flour_pct = 100

Water (Hydration)

water_pct = (water_weight / flour_weight) * 100

Salt

salt_pct = (salt_weight / flour_weight) * 100

Yeast

yeast_pct = (yeast_weight / flour_weight) * 100

Total Dough Weight

total_dough = flour_weight + water_weight + salt_weight + yeast_weight

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
flour_weightFlour Weight(g)500
water_weightWater Weight(g)325
salt_weightSalt Weight(g)10
yeast_weightYeast Weight(g)5

How It Works

How Baker Percentages Work

Formula

Baker % = (Ingredient Weight / Flour Weight) x 100

Flour is always 100%. Every other ingredient is expressed relative to the flour weight. This system makes it easy to scale any bread recipe.

Typical Ranges

  • Hydration: 55-80%
  • Salt: 1.8-2.2%
  • Instant yeast: 0.5-1.5%

    • Worked Example

    Calculate baker percentages for 500 g flour, 325 g water, 10 g salt, 5 g yeast.

    flour_weight = 500water_weight = 325salt_weight = 10yeast_weight = 5
    1. 01Flour: 100% (by definition).
    2. 02Water: (325/500) x 100 = 65% hydration.
    3. 03Salt: (10/500) x 100 = 2%.
    4. 04Yeast: (5/500) x 100 = 1%.
    5. 05Total dough: 500 + 325 + 10 + 5 = 840 g.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is flour always 100%?

    Baker percentages use flour as the base because flour is the primary structural ingredient. This makes it easy to compare recipes regardless of batch size.

    What does hydration percentage mean?

    Hydration is the water percentage relative to flour. Higher hydration (70-80%) makes a more open, airy crumb. Lower hydration (55-65%) makes a tighter, denser crumb.

    Can baker percentages exceed 100%?

    Individual ingredients can exceed 100% if they outweigh the flour (rare), but the total of all baker percentages added together will exceed 100% because flour itself is 100%.

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Baker Percentage Calculator