Ingredient Ratio Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the ingredient ratio calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Ingredient Ratio Calculator

Formulas Used

Ratio (A:B)

ratio = amount_a / amount_b

Ingredient A Percentage

percent_a = (amount_a / ratio_sum) * 100

Ingredient B Percentage

percent_b = (amount_b / ratio_sum) * 100

Ingredient A (scaled)

scaled_a = (amount_a / ratio_sum) * target_total

Ingredient B (scaled)

scaled_b = (amount_b / ratio_sum) * target_total

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
amount_aIngredient A Amount3
amount_bIngredient B Amount1
target_totalTarget Total Amount500
ratio_sumSum of ratio parts= amount_a + amount_bcalculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Ingredient Ratios

Formula

Ratio = Amount A / Amount B

Scaled Amount = (Part / Total Parts) x Target Total

Ratios are the foundation of professional cooking. Knowing the ratio of flour to water in bread dough (about 5:3) means you can make any quantity.

Worked Example

A vinaigrette uses 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. Scale to 500 mL total.

amount_a = 3amount_b = 1target_total = 500
  1. 01Ratio: 3:1 (oil to vinegar).
  2. 02Total parts: 3 + 1 = 4.
  3. 03Oil: (3/4) x 500 = 375 mL.
  4. 04Vinegar: (1/4) x 500 = 125 mL.

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Ingredient Ratio Calculator