Hydration × flour
70% Hydration High-Extraction Flour
Medium cells with some larger bubbles. Noticeable holes appearing. Chewy, moist, balanced.
⚠ Outside High-Extraction Flour's typical range (72–82%) — read below for handling
Is 70% hydration right for High-Extraction Flour?
High-Extraction Flour's workable hydration range is 72–82%. Its absorption multiplier is 1.03× bread flour. 70% 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 70%
A recipe written for bread flour at 70% hydration, when substituted with 100% High-Extraction Flour, becomes 72% 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 70% hydration
Dough becomes visibly softer and stickier. Use wet hands or bench scraper. Starts requiring more careful handling to avoid degassing. Autolyse 45-60 min helps develop structure.
Worked water math for a 500 g batch
| High-Extraction Flour | 500 g (100%) |
| Water | 350 g (70%) |
| 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 70% exactly.
What High-Extraction Flour gives you at 70%
At 70% hydration you can expect an open, custardy crumb with irregular holes and good chew. A medium dough: three to four sets of stretch-and-folds in the first two hours build the structure, and a light dusting of flour is enough for shaping. It handles predictably.
High-Extraction Flour at 70% — FAQ
How much water do I use for High-Extraction Flour at 70% hydration?
Multiply the flour weight by 0.7. For a 500 g batch of High-Extraction Flour that's 350 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 70% number suggests.
Is 70% hydration right for High-Extraction Flour?
70% 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 70% give me?
Expect an open, custardy crumb with irregular holes and good chew. Medium cells with some larger bubbles. Noticeable holes appearing. Chewy, moist, balanced.
Is High-Extraction Flour at 70% beginner-friendly?
This hydration is rated intermediate. A medium dough: three to four sets of stretch-and-folds in the first two hours build the structure, and a light dusting of flour is enough for shaping. It handles predictably.
Calculator pre-set to 70%
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
- 300 g
- Salt
- 10 g
- Levain @ 100%
- 100 g
- Total dough
- 860 g
- Effective hydration
- 70%
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.
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.
- Digital kitchen scale (0.1 g)View on Amazon →
- Dutch oven / combo cookerView on Amazon →
- Banneton proofing basketView on Amazon →
- Bread lameView on Amazon →
- Bench scraperView on Amazon →
- High-protein bread flourView on Amazon →
- Danish dough whiskView on Amazon →
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