Recipe Multiplier Formula

Understand the math behind the recipe multiplier. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Recipe Multiplier

Formulas Used

Scale Factor

scale_factor = multiplier

New Ingredient Amount

new_amount = ingredient_amount * multiplier

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
original_servingsOriginal Servings(servings)4
desired_servingsDesired Servings(servings)12
ingredient_amountIngredient Amount2
multiplierScale multiplier= desired_servings / original_servingscalculated

How It Works

How to Multiply a Recipe

Formula

Scale Factor = Desired Servings / Original Servings

New Amount = Original Amount x Scale Factor

Multiply every ingredient by the same scale factor. Be cautious with leavening agents (baking powder, yeast) when scaling above 3x, as they may not scale linearly.

Worked Example

Scale a recipe from 4 servings to 12 servings. An ingredient is 2 cups.

original_servings = 4desired_servings = 12ingredient_amount = 2
  1. 01Scale factor: 12 / 4 = 3.
  2. 02New ingredient amount: 2 x 3 = 6 cups.
  3. 03Multiply all other ingredients by 3 as well.

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Recipe Multiplier