Recipe Scaler

Enter original and desired servings to get a scaling factor for all ingredients.

Original servings

Desired servings

Ingredient 1 amount

Unit

Ingredient 2 amount

Unit

Scale factor —

Ingredient 1 (scaled) —

Ingredient 2 (scaled) —

Scale factor = desired servings / original servings. Multiply every ingredient amount by this factor. For baking, scale carefully — leavening agents may not scale linearly above 2x.

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How to Scale a Recipe

To scale a recipe, divide the desired number of servings by the original number. This gives you the scale factor. Multiply every ingredient by that factor.

Cooking recipes scale well at any ratio. Baking recipes are more sensitive — especially leavening agents (baking powder, yeast) and eggs. For large batch baking, test the scaled recipe once before committing.

Scaling a recipe multiplies all ingredient quantities by a single factor: new yield / original yield. A recipe serving 4 that you need to serve 10: scale factor = 10/4 = 2.5. All ingredient amounts multiply by 2.5. This is exact for most ingredients and scales linearly with no caveats.

Critical non-linear ingredients: leavening agents (baking powder, baking soda, yeast) do not scale linearly for large batches. If doubling a cake recipe, increase baking powder by only 1.75× rather than 2× — excess leavening causes over-rise and collapse. A good rule: for 2× scale use 1.75× leavening; for 3× use 2.5× leavening.

Salt and spices: scale at 75% of the linear amount when tripling or larger, then taste and adjust. Flavor intensity perception is not linear with concentration — a sauce that uses 1 tsp salt per serving doesn't need 3 tsp when tripled; 2.25–2.5 tsp is a safer starting point.

Cooking time does NOT scale with quantity. Two chickens roasted simultaneously take roughly the same time as one — internal temperature, not total mass in the oven, determines doneness. For soups and sauces, doubling the volume may add 20–30% to simmer time as the pot reaches temperature more slowly. Always use a thermometer for protein targets.