{"id":66571,"date":"2026-10-08T16:44:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/?p=66571"},"modified":"2026-10-08T16:44:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:44:39","slug":"sourdough-starter-feeding-calculator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/life\/sourdough-starter-feeding-calculator\/","title":{"rendered":"Sourdough Starter Feeding Calculator"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Work Out How Much Flour and Water to Feed Your Starter<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"66571\" data-favorite-title=\"Sourdough Starter Feeding\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/life\/sourdough-starter-feeding-calculator\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Work out exactly how much starter, flour and water to use at each feed. Enter the total starter weight you want and your feeding ratio to get a precise feeding plan.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-food\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/life\/sourdough-starter-feeding-calculator\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-66571\" data-post=\"66571\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input is-1\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">Desired starter amount<\/label><div class=\"term\">total<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><div class=\"field-group\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"desired_starter_amount\" id=\"field-1\" aria-describedby=\"calc-info-1\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"1\" max=\"10000\" value=\"300\"\/><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-2\" name=\"unit\" aria-label=\"Unit\"><option value=\"g\" selected>g<\/option><option value=\"oz\">oz<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><small id=\"calc-info-1\">Total weight of starter you want to end up with after feeding<\/small><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-2\"><span class=\"font-semibold\">Feeding Ratio (Starter : Flour : Water)<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-3\"><label for=\"field-4\">Starter part<\/label><div class=\"term\">S<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"text\" name=\"starter_part\" id=\"field-4\" aria-describedby=\"calc-info-4\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"50\" value=\"1\"\/><small id=\"calc-info-4\">1:1:1 means equal weights of starter, flour and water \u2014 the classic daily feed<\/small><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-4\"><label for=\"field-5\">Flour part<\/label><div class=\"term\">F<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"text\" name=\"flour_part\" id=\"field-5\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"50\" value=\"1\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-5\"><label for=\"field-6\">Water part<\/label><div class=\"term\">W<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"text\" name=\"water_part\" id=\"field-6\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"50\" value=\"1\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-6\"><label for=\"field-7\">Hydration of existing starter<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"hydration_of_existing_starter\" id=\"field-7\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-7 calc-info-7\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"1\" max=\"500\" value=\"100\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-7\">%<\/div><small id=\"calc-info-7\">Equal weights of flour and water = 100% hydration, the most common<\/small><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"66571\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Your Feeding Plan<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Existing starter to keep<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">starter<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-2\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Fresh flour to add<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">flour<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-2\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-3\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Water to add<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">water<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-3\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-4\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Hydration of the fed starter<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">hydr<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-4\" data-unit=\"%\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"66571\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"disappointed\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"disappointed\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude1e <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Disappointed <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"inaccurate\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"inaccurate\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Sourdough Starter Feeding Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\\[ K = \\frac{T \\cdot S}{S+F+W}, \\quad F_a = \\frac{T \\cdot F}{S+F+W}, \\quad W_a = \\frac{T \\cdot W}{S+F+W} \\]<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(T\\) \u2014 desired total weight of starter after feeding (g or oz)<\/li>\n<li>\\(S\\), \\(F\\), \\(W\\) \u2014 the starter, flour and water parts of the feeding ratio<\/li>\n<li>\\(K\\) \u2014 weight of existing starter to keep<\/li>\n<li>\\(F_a\\), \\(W_a\\) \u2014 fresh flour and water to add<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The three ratio parts split the desired total by weight, so the fed starter ends up at exactly the size you asked for. The hydration of the fed starter is then calculated from what the kept starter contributes:<\/p>\n<p>\\[ H_{fed} = 100 \\times \\frac{K \\cdot \\frac{h}{100+h} + W_a}{K \\cdot \\frac{100}{100+h} + F_a} \\]<\/p>\n<p>where \\(h\\) is the hydration of the existing starter. A starter kept at 100% hydration contains equal weights of flour and water, so each 100 g of it contributes 50 g flour and 50 g water.<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Sourdough Starter Feeding \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> you want 300 g of starter after feeding, using the classic 1:1:1 ratio, and your existing starter is at 100% hydration.<\/p>\n<p>\\[ K = \\frac{300 \\cdot 1}{1+1+1} = 100 \\text{ g}, \\quad F_a = \\frac{300 \\cdot 1}{3} = 100 \\text{ g}, \\quad W_a = \\frac{300 \\cdot 1}{3} = 100 \\text{ g} \\]<\/p>\n<p>The 100 g of kept starter contributes 50 g flour and 50 g water:<\/p>\n<p>\\[ H_{fed} = 100 \\times \\frac{50 + 100}{50 + 100} = 100\\% \\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> keep 100 g of existing starter, add 100 g fresh flour and 100 g water. The fed starter is 100 g + 100 g + 100 g = 300 g at 100% hydration.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to Use the Calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Desired starter amount<\/strong> \u2014 the total weight you want to end up with after feeding \u2014 and choose <strong>g<\/strong> or <strong>oz<\/strong> as the unit.<\/li>\n<li>Set the three parts of the <strong>Feeding Ratio (Starter : Flour : Water)<\/strong>. The default 1:1:1 is the standard daily feed; use 1:2:2 or 1:3:3 for longer gaps between feeds.<\/li>\n<li>Enter the <strong>Hydration of existing starter<\/strong> as a percentage. Equal weights of flour and water in the original starter is 100%.<\/li>\n<li>Read your <strong>Feeding Plan<\/strong>: how much existing starter to keep, how much fresh flour and water to add, and the hydration of the starter after feeding.<\/li>\n<li>Discard (or set aside for recipes) any starter beyond the amount to keep, then combine the kept starter with the flour and water shown.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What Is Sourdough Starter Feeding?<\/h2>\n<p>A sourdough starter is a live culture of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria in a mixture of flour and water. Feeding means discarding most of it and adding fresh flour and water to the portion you keep. Without regular feeding, the microbes exhaust their food supply, the starter turns overly sour, and its leavening power fades. A healthy, freshly fed starter is what makes bread rise without commercial yeast.<\/p>\n<p>Bakers describe a feed with a ratio such as 1:1:1 or 1:5:5 \u2014 the weight of starter kept compared to the weights of flour and water added. A 1:1:1 feed triples the food available and is typically ready to use in 4 to 8 hours at room temperature. Larger ratios like 1:4:4 dilute the culture more, so the starter takes longer to peak \u2014 useful for once-a-day feeds or for building starter overnight for a morning bake.<\/p>\n<p>The other key concept is <em>hydration<\/em>: water weight divided by flour weight, expressed as a percentage. A 100% hydration starter, made from equal weights of flour and water, is stiff enough to hold structure but loose enough to expand \u2014 it is what most recipes assume. If you switch to a stiffer (lower hydration) or runnier (higher hydration) starter, dough hydration changes too, which is why the calculator reports the hydration of the fed starter so you can keep it consistent.<\/p>\n<p>The calculator works entirely by weight. This is deliberate: flour volume varies hugely with scooping and settling, while weights are exact and repeatable. If you are not yet baking with a scale, this is the single tool that will most improve your sourdough consistency.<\/p>\n<h2>Ratios at a Glance<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Ratio (S : F : W)<\/th>\n<th>Typical use<\/th>\n<th>Rough time to peak (room temp.)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>1 : 1 : 1<\/td>\n<td>Daily maintenance feed<\/td>\n<td>4\u20138 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1 : 2 : 2<\/td>\n<td>Every 12 hours or overnight build<\/td>\n<td>8\u201312 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1 : 3 : 3<\/td>\n<td>Once-a-day feeding<\/td>\n<td>12\u201316 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1 : 5 : 5<\/td>\n<td>Feeding before refrigerating<\/td>\n<td>Up to 24 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Times depend on temperature, flour and how active the culture is \u2014 treat them as guidelines and let the starter's rise and aroma tell you when it's ready.<\/p>\n<h2>Assumptions, Limitations and Tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Water and starter parts are interchangeable in weight, not volume.<\/strong> Always measure by weight; 100 g of water is not the same as 100 ml of flour by any spoon measure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The hydration input describes your existing starter<\/strong> \u2014 the one you are keeping a portion of. If you build it with equal weights of flour and water, it is 100%. The fresh flour and water you add are handled separately by the ratio.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Discard is expected.<\/strong> Keeping every gram of starter means exponential growth; the<br \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Work out exactly how much starter, flour and water to use at each feed. Enter the total starter weight you want and your feeding ratio to get a precise feeding plan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[98],"class_list":["post-66571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-life","tag-cooking"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66571"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66572,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66571\/revisions\/66572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}