Sourdough

Sourdough Feeding Calculator

Set your starter ratio and final target weight to calculate exact seed starter, flour, and water amounts for your next feed.
1:1:1 quick feed1:5:5 longer feedcustom ratio support
Sourdough Feeding Calculator

Auto-calculates as you type

Feeding ratio (starter:flour:water) 1:5:5
Keep seed starter 18.2 g
Add flour 90.9 g
Add water 90.9 g
Starter hydration 100%

Discard or use 101.8 g before feeding so you keep only the seed starter needed for this build.

Starter feeding guide

Choose a ratio, then feed with intent

Feeding ratio controls how quickly your starter peaks and how acidic it gets before the next feed. Use the calculator above for exact grams, then use this guide to match ratio choice to your schedule.

Fast cycle 1:1:1

Best for short intervals and frequent bake-day feeding at room temperature.

Balanced cycle 1:2:2 to 1:3:3

A common daily range for stable growth with moderate acidity buildup.

Long cycle 1:5:5+

Longer feeding windows and slower acid accumulation before peak.

Feeding math target weight ÷ total parts

Divide your target starter weight by the total ratio parts, then multiply by each part to get seed starter, flour, and water grams.

01

How to use this feeding calculator

Enter how much mature starter you currently have, then choose your target starter weight after feeding. Select a ratio preset like 1:1:1 or 1:5:5, or type a custom ratio to match your process.

The calculator gives the exact grams to keep as seed starter, flour to add, and water to add. It also shows how much to discard before feeding so your jar stays on plan.

02

What feeding ratios actually control

Higher feeding ratios give yeast and bacteria more fresh food, which usually delays peak and keeps acidity lower for longer. Lower ratios peak faster and can become more acidic sooner.

A 1:1:1 feed is fast and practical for frequent daily baking. Ratios like 1:3:3 or 1:5:5 are common when you want a longer interval between feeds or stronger growth before mixing dough.

03

Common ratio timing at room temperature

Timing always depends on starter strength, flour type, and kitchen temperature. Use rise, bubbles, and aroma as your final signal.

1:1:1Often peaks in about 4-6 hours at warm room temperature.
1:2:2Typically peaks around 6-8 hours in moderate conditions.
1:5:5Usually peaks around 8-12 hours depending on starter strength.
1:10:10Can take 12+ hours and is useful for longer schedules.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers on starter feeding ratios, discard amounts, and timing.

What is a 1:1:1 sourdough feed?

A 1:1:1 feed means equal parts starter, flour, and water by weight. If you keep 30g starter, feed 30g flour and 30g water.

What is a 1:5:5 feed used for?

A 1:5:5 feed slows acid buildup and gives your starter a larger food supply. It is useful before long room-temperature ferments or when you want a milder starter.

How much starter should I keep before feeding?

Keep only the seed amount required by your target ratio and final weight. The rest can be discarded or used in discard recipes.

Should flour and water always match?

For a 100% hydration starter they match by weight. You can also use different flour and water parts to run stiffer or looser starter builds.

Ads.txt