Why use this calculator
Scaling recipes is one of the most common kitchen math tasks. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or halving a recipe for two, getting the proportions right is essential.
How to use it
Enter the original and desired number of servings, then enter up to 3 ingredient amounts. The calculator multiplies each by the scale factor.
The formula
Scale Factor = Desired Servings / Original Servings. New Amount = Original Amount × Scale Factor.
Worked examples
Recipe for 4, cooking for 8
2x scale factor — double all ingredients
When people use it
- Cooking for parties
- Halving recipes for couples
- Batch cooking
- Commercial kitchen scaling
Tips
- Spices and seasonings don't always scale linearly — add gradually and taste
- Baking is more precise — be careful scaling leavening agents
- Cooking times may change when scaling — check for doneness
Questions people ask
- Can I scale baking recipes?
- Yes, but be careful with leavening agents (baking soda, baking powder, yeast). They don't always scale linearly. It's safer to increase by 75% rather than doubling for large batches.