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 (7282%) — read below for handling

Is 60% hydration right for High-Extraction Flour?

High-Extraction Flour's workable hydration range is 7282%. 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.

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.

Open 60% hydration guide →

Sources: Central Milling — Artisan Bakers Craft Plus (T85 equivalent); Hamelman, Bread (3rd ed.); Robertson, Tartine Bread.