Calculate SimplyHow to use
Start with the worked example to understand the inputs, then replace every relevant value with your own figures. Use one currency and consistent units throughout. Add or remove rows where offered; irrelevant conditional fields are disabled and excluded. Select Calculate after editing. Review negative values and any “not determined” result rather than assuming every scenario must be profitable. Download a text summary or print the page for your records.
Formula and assumptions
Baker’s hydration is total water divided by total flour, including both ingredients inside the starter. Set total dough weight, hydration, starter mass, starter hydration and salt percentage. Total flour equals dough weight divided by one plus hydration plus salt fractions. Subtract the starter’s flour and water to obtain additions. A 100% hydration starter contains equal flour and water by weight. The tool rejects combinations requiring negative added flour or water. It scales ingredient masses, not fermentation time, dough handling or baking temperature.
F = dough / (1 + hydration + salt); starter flour = starter / (1 + starter hydration); added flour = F − starter flour; added water = F × hydration − starter water
Worked example
Example only: replace rates with your own figures.
Inputs
- Target total dough weight: 1000 g
- Total dough hydration: 75 %
- Starter weight: 200 g
- Starter hydration: 100 %
- Salt as percentage of total flour: 2 %
- Added flour: 464.972 g
- Added water: 323.729 g
- Salt weight: 11.2994 g
- Total flour including starter: 564.972 g
- Total water including starter: 423.729 g
Frequently asked questions
Are the example rates current market prices?
No. Example inputs demonstrate arithmetic, not live prices, tax rules, salary surveys or sponsor benchmarks. Enter a dated quote, bill, manufacturer specification or verified fee schedule that applies to your situation. Compare a conservative and an optimistic scenario separately.
Why is a result not determined?
Some calculations have no meaningful value when a denominator is zero, savings are non-positive, a target cannot be reached or your data do not bracket an intersection. The tool leaves that result undetermined instead of displaying infinity or inventing a recommendation. Check the method and your inputs.
Sources
Sources explain the underlying concepts, not an endorsement of this website or its results. Method review: 20 October 2026.