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Hydration Calculator

Calculate flour, water, and ingredient ratios for your dough.

65%

Recipe

Flour 500g
Water 325g
Starter 100g
Salt 10g
Total Dough 935g

Frequently asked questions

What does dough hydration mean?

Hydration is the water expressed as a percentage of the flour weight. 70% hydration means 70g of water for every 100g of flour.

What hydration should a beginner start with?

Around 65%. It is forgiving and easy to shape, and you can climb toward 75–80% as your handling improves.

How does hydration change the crumb?

Higher hydration gives a lighter, more open and crispier crumb, but the dough becomes stickier and harder to handle. Lower hydration is denser and easier to shape.

How do I raise hydration without a sticky mess?

Increase in small steps (about 5%), add the extra water gradually, and build strength with stretch-and-folds during bulk fermentation.