Hydration × flour
60% Hydration High-Extraction Flour
Tight to moderately tight crumb. Small to medium cells. Firm chew. Good for sandwich loaves.
Outside High-Extraction Flour's typical range (72–82%) — read below for handling
Is 60% hydration right for High-Extraction Flour?
High-Extraction Flour's workable hydration range is 72–82%. Its absorption multiplier is 1.03× bread flour. 60% is below High-Extraction Flour's typical range. The dough will be stiff and hard to fully develop. Consider moving up to 72% for better extensibility.
Absorption math for High-Extraction Flour at 60%
A recipe written for bread flour at 60% hydration, when substituted with 100% High-Extraction Flour, becomes 62% effective hydration (because High-Extraction Flour absorbs 3% more water). Autolyse 45-60 min. 3-4 stretch-and-folds. Supports 78-80% hydration reliably. Excellent base for country-loaf-style hearth breads.
Technique at 60% hydration
Firm but pliable dough. Good for shaping into specific forms (tortillas, muffins, pizza). Less sensitive to mistakes than higher hydrations. Handles well with minimal flour on work surface.
Worked water math for a 500 g batch
| High-Extraction Flour | 500 g (100%) |
| Water | 300 g (60%) |
| Salt | 10 g (2%) |
Add your levain on top of these weights; the calculator below subtracts the flour and water it already contributes so the bench numbers land at 60% exactly.
What High-Extraction Flour gives you at 60%
At 60% hydration you can expect a tight, tender, even crumb that slices cleanly for sandwiches and toast. This is a firm, forgiving dough: knead or use a few gentle folds, shape on a lightly floured bench, and expect it to hold its form easily — a good place to build confidence.
High-Extraction Flour at 60% — FAQ
How much water do I use for High-Extraction Flour at 60% hydration?
Multiply the flour weight by 0.6. For a 500 g batch of High-Extraction Flour that's 300 g water, plus about 10 g salt (2%). High-Extraction Flour absorbs 1.03× as much water as white bread flour, so it will feel a touch stiffer than the 60% number suggests.
Is 60% hydration right for High-Extraction Flour?
60% is below High-Extraction Flour's usual 72–82% range — the dough will be stiff and hard to develop. Move up toward 72% for better extensibility.
What crumb will High-Extraction Flour at 60% give me?
Expect a tight, tender, even crumb that slices cleanly for sandwiches and toast. Tight to moderately tight crumb. Small to medium cells. Firm chew. Good for sandwich loaves.
Is High-Extraction Flour at 60% beginner-friendly?
This hydration is rated beginner. This is a firm, forgiving dough: knead or use a few gentle folds, shape on a lightly floured bench, and expect it to hold its form easily — a good place to build confidence.
Calculator pre-set to 60%
Weights below assume 100% High-Extraction Flour. For blends, use the main calculator on a recipe page.
- Flour to add
- 450 g
- Water to add
- 250 g
- Salt
- 10 g
- Levain @ 100%
- 100 g
- Total dough
- 810 g
- Effective hydration
- 60%
How the math works
Total water = flour × hydration %. Your levain contributes 50 g flour + 50 g water — both count toward the totals. You add only the remainder as fresh flour and water.
Salt % is computed on total flour weight, not final-dough flour.
To bake this recipe you need
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The gear that makes the math work
A short, honest baking kit. The scale matters most — every weight on this page is in grams. The Dutch oven is what turns a good crumb into a great crust.
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High-Extraction Flour at every hydration level
High-Extraction Flour usually works between 72% and 82% hydration — drier gives a stiffer dough, wetter a slacker one. Tap a level for the technique, the absorption math and a calculator set to it.
| Hydration | Water per 500 g | For High-Extraction Flour |
|---|---|---|
| 55% | 275 g | Drier than usual |
| 60%this page | 300 g | Drier than usual |
| 65% | 325 g | Drier than usual |
| 70% | 350 g | Drier than usual |
| 72% | 360 g | In its range |
| 75% | 375 g | In its range |
| 78% | 390 g | In its range |
| 80% | 400 g | In its range |
| 82% | 410 g | In its range |
| 85% | 425 g | Wetter than usual |
| 90% | 450 g | Wetter than usual |
| 95% | 475 g | Wetter than usual |