Sourdough hydration calculator

Calculate the true hydration of your sourdough.

Your starter contains both flour and water. Enter the main dough and starter separately; the calculator combines them correctly.

Works with stiff and liquid starters too.
SPLIT THE STARTER50 gFLOUR50 gWATERTOTAL IN THE DOUGH500 g flour375 g water75%effective hydration

Your dough

Enter the main dough and starter

Enter only the flour and water added directly to the main dough. Add the starter separately below.

100% means equal weights of flour and water.

True ratio

Hydration including starter

Effective hydration75%
Total flour
500 g
Total water
375 g
Flour from starter
50 g
Water from starter
50 g
Starter as % of total flour
20%

Why is this different from water ÷ flour?

Starter is not separate from flour and water: it contains both. At 100% hydration, 100 g starter contributes 50 g flour and 50 g water.

Salt and other dry ingredients do not change hydration. Liquids such as milk or egg need a more detailed formula.

Want to calculate the full recipe?

Use the advanced calculator for salt, preferments, extra ingredients and a target dough weight.

Open advanced calculator