Recipe Scaling Calculator

Recipe scaling is the process of adjusting ingredient quantities to accommodate a different number of servings than what the original recipe specifies. This is essential when cooking for larger gatherings or smaller households.

The Basic Scaling Formula

Scaling Factor = New Servings ÷ Original Servings

New Amount = Original Amount × Scaling Factor

For example, if a recipe serves 4 people but you want to serve 10:

Scaling Factor = 10 ÷ 4 = 2.5
If the original recipe calls for 200g flour, the new amount would be: 200g × 2.5 = 500g

Special Considerations

Spices and Seasonings

When scaling recipes up, spices and seasonings often don't need to increase proportionally. A good rule is to start with 1.5× the original amount when doubling a recipe, then adjust to taste.

Cooking Times

Cooking times may need adjustment when scaling. Larger quantities might require longer cooking times, but not necessarily proportional to the scaling factor.

Baking Chemistry

Baking recipes are particularly sensitive to scaling due to chemical reactions. For best results, try to keep scaling factors between 0.5× and 2× for baked goods.

Cooking Equipment

Consider if your pots, pans, and baking dishes can accommodate scaled recipes. Sometimes multiple batches may be better than one large one.

Smart Scaling Tips

Weight vs. Volume

When possible, use weight measurements (grams, ounces) instead of volume measurements (cups, tablespoons) for more accurate scaling. Weight measurements scale more precisely.

Leavening Agents

Baking powder, baking soda, and yeast may not scale linearly. When doubling recipes, try using only 1.5× the amount of leavening agents to avoid off flavors.

Take Notes

Keep track of your scaling experiments. Note what worked well and what didn't so you can refine your approach next time you scale that particular recipe.