Bread Hydration Formula
= Hydration %
Example: 360g water ÷ 500g flour × 100
= 72% Hydration
(Perfect for baguettes)
Hydration Guide: Bread Types by Percentage
50-55% Hydration
Breads: Bagels, pretzels, some pasta doughs
Dough feel: Very stiff, difficult to knead by hand, holds shape well
Example: 275g water + 500g flour = 55%
60-65% Hydration
Breads: Sandwich bread, dinner rolls, challah, brioche
Dough feel: Soft but workable, easy to shape, smooth surface
Example: 325g water + 500g flour = 65%
70-75% Hydration
Breads: Baguettes, country loaves, most artisan breads
Dough feel: Slightly sticky, open crumb, requires confident handling
Example: 360g water + 500g flour = 72%
80-85% Hydration
Breads: Ciabatta, focaccia, high-hydration sourdough
Dough feel: Very sticky, needs stretch-and-fold technique, large holes
Example: 425g water + 500g flour = 85%
100%+ Hydration
Breads: No-knead bread, some pizza doughs, pancakes
Dough feel: Pourable batter, no shaping, bakes in container
Example: 500g water + 500g flour = 100%
How to Calculate Hydration
Step-by-Step Example:
Step 1: Identify Water & Flour Weights
Recipe: 360g water, 500g flour, 10g salt, 7g yeast
Note: Only count water and flour. Ignore salt, yeast, oil, etc.
Step 2: Divide Water by Flour
360g ÷ 500g = 0.72
Step 3: Multiply by 100
0.72 × 100 = 72% hydration
This is perfect for French baguettes!
Quick Reference Chart
| Flour | 60% Water | 70% Water | 80% Water | 100% Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250g (2 cups) | 150g (⅔ cup) | 175g (¾ cup) | 200g (⅞ cup) | 250g (1 cup) |
| 500g (4 cups) | 300g (1¼ cups) | 350g (1½ cups) | 400g (1¾ cups) | 500g (2 cups) |
| 750g (6 cups) | 450g (1⅞ cups) | 525g (2¼ cups) | 600g (2½ cups) | 750g (3 cups) |
| 1000g (8 cups) | 600g (2½ cups) | 700g (3 cups) | 800g (3⅓ cups) | 1000g (4¼ cups) |
How Hydration Affects Your Bread
✅ Higher Hydration (75-85%)
- • Open crumb: Large, irregular holes
- • Crispy crust: More steam = crunchier exterior
- • Chewy texture: Moist interior
- • Longer fermentation: Better flavor development
- ⚠️ Harder to handle: Sticky, needs experience
📊 Lower Hydration (60-65%)
- • Fine crumb: Small, even holes
- • Soft crust: Less steam = tender exterior
- • Fluffy texture: Light and airy
- • Easy shaping: Holds form well
- ✅ Beginner-friendly: Not sticky, predictable
Adjusting Recipe Hydration
To Increase Hydration (Make Wetter)
Why: Want more open crumb, crispier crust, artisan texture
- Calculate current hydration: Water ÷ Flour × 100
- Increase by 5-10% at a time (too much = soup)
- Example: 65% → 72%: Add 7% more water (500g flour × 0.07 = 35g extra water)
- Use stretch-and-fold instead of kneading
To Decrease Hydration (Make Firmer)
Why: Dough too sticky, want softer crumb, easier shaping
- Reduce by 5% at a time
- Example: 75% → 70%: Remove 5% water (500g flour × 0.05 = 25g less water)
- Or add more flour (but this changes total quantity)
- Knead longer for structure
Flour Type & Hydration
Different flours absorb different amounts of water:
Techniques for High-Hydration Dough
🙌 Stretch and Fold (Not Kneading)
Instead of traditional kneading, perform 4-6 sets of stretch-and-fold during bulk fermentation. Builds strength without deflating dough.
💧 Wet Hands
Keep hands damp to prevent sticking. Use water, not flour (flour changes hydration).
⏰ Longer Fermentation
High-hydration dough needs more time for gluten development. 12-24 hour cold ferment works great.