What this calculation means
Recipe scaling applies one proportional factor to each included ingredient. The first quantity and all additional rows are calculated independently, so grams, milliliters, and countable pieces never become one mixed-unit total.
This is a proportional planning calculation, not a validated new recipe. Large changes can alter seasoning, leavening, thickening, liquids, equipment capacity, cooking time, and finished yield. Test the adjusted recipe. Fractional pieces are theoretical quantities; the tool does not round eggs or packages for you.
How to use this calculator
Enter the first ingredient quantity and optional name and unit. Enter positive original servings and the target servings, using the same portion definition. Add any additional ingredients with their own original quantities and units. Review the scaled-quantity table; remove unused rows or leave them completely blank.
Formula and variables
Scaled quantity = Original quantity × Target servings ÷ Original servings
- Original quantityrecipe unit
- Quantity in the original recipe.
- Original servingsservings
- Servings produced by the original recipe.
- Target servingsservings
- Servings you want to produce.
- First ingredient name
- Optional name of the first ingredient; omitted names receive a neutral row label.
- First ingredient unit
- Optional unit label for the first quantity. Each additional row keeps its own unit; no conversions are performed.
- Additional ingredient
- Each row has an original quantity and optional name and unit. Scaled quantity = original quantity × the same unrounded recipe factor. Unit labels are carried through unchanged.
The main quantity displays up to two decimals; table quantities display up to six decimals. Intermediate factors and quantities are not rounded before calculation. Very small nonzero quantities below table precision are marked rather than shown as zero. No automatic unit conversion or whole-item rounding is applied.
Understand your result
The main result is the scaled first ingredient. The table lists original and scaled quantities for every included ingredient and retains each row’s unit. The displayed factor is explanatory; calculations use the unrounded ratio.
Worked example
Scale an 8-serving recipe to 20 equivalent servings using 400 g flour and 60 ml oil.
Original quantity: 400 recipe unit
Original servings: 8 servings
Target servings: 20 servings
First ingredient name: Flour
First ingredient unit: g
Additional ingredient 1: Oil: 60 ml
- The unrounded factor is 20 ÷ 8 = 2.5.
- Flour: 400 g × 2.5 = 1,000 g. Oil: 60 ml × 2.5 = 150 ml.
- The main result is the first ingredient; both independently scaled quantities appear in the table.
Example result: 1,000 g
Frequently asked questions
Can I use it when the new servings are larger?
Only after adjusting the serving definition or using an appropriate quantity-planning calculation. A count ratio alone assumes the original and target servings are equivalent.
Can target servings be zero?
The current arithmetic allows a zero target and returns zero quantity. The original serving count must remain positive.
Can ingredients have different units?
Yes. Put each quantity in one unit per row, for example 500 g flour and 250 ml milk. A mixed expression such as 1 lb 4 oz must first be converted to one numeric quantity. The tool scales each row without adding unlike units or guessing a density.
Does this scale seasoning and cooking time automatically?
All entered ingredient rows receive the arithmetic factor. The calculator does not recommend adjustments for seasoning, leavening, thickening, water, time, or equipment. Confirm the resulting recipe with a kitchen test.