Does Starter Count Toward Hydration?

Yes. A 100% hydration starter contains equal flour and water by weight, and both portions belong in the baker's-percentage totals.

Why Is The Portion Count Rounded Down?

It reports complete portions at the requested weight. The remaining grams are still shown in the total formula and can be divided differently.

Dough Hydration Calculator

Calculate true baker's percentages with starter flour and water included, then adjust hydration and portion the finished dough.

Baker's Worksheet

Formula Input

FlourWaterStarter / PrefermentStarter HydrationSaltPortion Weight

Target Hydration

Starter is split into flour and water from its hydration. Yield counts only complete portions and reports the remaining dough separately. Other liquids, eggs, fats, sugar, inclusions, flour absorption, and ambient conditions are not treated as water unless you include them yourself.

Hydration & Yield

Baker's Formula

Actual Hydration

72.73%

Total Dough

960 g

Full Portions

0 g leftover

Ingredient	Weight	Baker %
Total Flour	550 g	100%
Total Water	400 g	72.73%
Salt	10 g	1.82%

Target Water AdjustmentFor 75% hydration, use 362.5 g added water:+12.5 g from the current formula.

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What Is the Dough Hydration Calculator?

The Dough Hydration Calculator treats a starter or preferment as flour and water instead of counting its full weight as one ingredient. It reports total flour, total water, actual hydration, salt percentage, the exact water adjustment for a target hydration and the number of full portions available.

How It Works

Enter ingredient weights in grams and the starter hydration. Set the target hydration and desired dough-ball or loaf weight. Compare actual and target water before changing the formula; negative adjustment means the current dough already exceeds the target.

When to Use It

Use it for sourdough, pizza, focaccia and bread formulas where a preferment changes the true hydration. Flour absorption, ambient humidity, mixing and fermentation still affect handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Starter Count Toward Hydration?: Yes. A 100% hydration starter contains equal flour and water by weight, and both portions belong in the baker's-percentage totals.
Why Is The Portion Count Rounded Down?: It reports complete portions at the requested weight. The remaining grams are still shown in the total formula and can be divided differently.

Found an issue? Send Feedback. See our data sources and update policy for tools that depend on changing information.