Levain calculator
Build a levain to a target weight and hydration, or calculate flour and water from a feeding ratio. The seed starter's flour and water are included in target builds.
Calculation mode
g
%
g
%
Result
- Flour in seed
- 10 g
- Water in seed
- 10 g
- Flour to add
- 40 g
- Water to add
- 40 g
- Final levain weight
- 100 g
- Final hydration
- 100%
Levain formula
Target flour = target levain weight ÷ (1 + target hydration ÷ 100). Subtract the flour and water already present in the seed starter.
For a feeding ratio, multiply the seed weight by the flour and water ratio numbers, then add all three parts.
Practical example
For 100 g at 100% hydration with 20 g seed, add 40 g flour and 40 g water. A 1:2:2 ratio from the same seed makes 100 g.
Reference example
A 100 g levain at 100% hydration made with 20 g of 100% hydration seed needs 40 g flour and 40 g water.
| Ingredient | Weight |
|---|---|
| Flour in seed | 10 g |
| Water in seed | 10 g |
| Flour to add | 40 g |
| Water to add | 40 g |
Feeding ratio
Ratio order: starter : flour : water.
| Feeding ratio | Seed starter | Flour to add | Water to add | Final levain weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1:1 | 20 g | 20 g | 20 g | 60 g |
| 1:2:2 | 20 g | 40 g | 40 g | 100 g |
| 1:3:3 | 20 g | 60 g | 60 g | 140 g |
| 1:5:5 | 20 g | 100 g | 100 g | 220 g |