Recipe Portion Size Converter

How This Tool Works

This calculator scales recipe ingredients proportionally based on the ratio between your desired number of servings and the original recipe servings. The formula is simple: multiply each ingredient amount by the scale factor (desired servings ÷ original servings). This ensures all ingredients maintain their correct proportions relative to each other, which is crucial for recipe success.

For example, if a recipe serves 4 and you want to make it for 6 people, the scale factor is 1.5x. All ingredients are multiplied by 1.5 - if the recipe calls for 2 cups flour, you need 3 cups. If it calls for 1 teaspoon salt, you need 1.5 teaspoons. This works for any scaling scenario - doubling a recipe (2x), halving it (0.5x), or making any custom portion size. The calculator handles fractions and decimals, so you can scale to any amount precisely.

Formula

The calculation is based on:

Scale Factor = Desired Servings ÷ Original Servings
Scaled Amount = Original Amount × Scale Factor

Example: Recipe serves 4, you want 6 servings:

Scale Factor = 6 ÷ 4 = 1.5
If original recipe calls for 2 cups flour:
Scaled Amount = 2 × 1.5 = 3 cups

Tips for Recipe Scaling

• Seasonings: When scaling significantly, taste and adjust spices, salt, and herbs - they may need slight tweaking
• Baking Times: Larger batches may need slightly longer baking times, smaller batches may need less time
• Pan Sizes: Consider using different pan sizes when scaling - a doubled recipe may need a larger pan
• Whole Items: For items like eggs, you may need to round to whole numbers or use substitutes
• Liquid Ratios: Some recipes with specific liquid ratios (like bread) may need slight adjustments

FAQ

• How do I scale a recipe?
  Enter the original number of servings your recipe makes, then enter your desired number of servings. Add all ingredients with their amounts and units. The calculator will automatically scale all ingredients proportionally.
• Can I scale recipes with fractions?
  Yes, you can enter decimal amounts (e.g., 1.5 cups) and the calculator will scale them accurately. The results will show decimal values rounded to 2 decimal places for easy reading.
• What if my recipe uses different units?
  You can use any units you want (cups, tablespoons, grams, ounces, etc.). The calculator scales the numerical amounts proportionally while preserving the unit labels. Make sure to use consistent units for similar ingredients.
• How accurate is the scaling?
  The calculator uses precise mathematical scaling. However, some recipes may need slight adjustments for taste (spices, salt) or texture. Always taste and adjust seasonings after scaling, especially for large scaling factors.
• Can I scale down a recipe?
  Yes! Simply enter a smaller number for desired servings than the original. For example, if a recipe serves 8 and you want to make it for 2 people, enter 8 as original and 2 as desired.
• What about recipes with eggs?
  For whole eggs, the calculator will show decimal amounts (e.g., 1.5 eggs). You can round to the nearest whole egg or use egg substitutes. For baking, you may need to adjust slightly based on the recipe type.