This calculator helps you scale recipes up or down to perfectly match the number of servings you need. Whether you're cooking for a small gathering or a large feast, precise ingredient adjustments are key to culinary success.
How it Works:
The core principle behind scaling a recipe is maintaining the correct ratio of each ingredient to the total output. The calculator uses a simple scaling factor derived from the original and desired number of servings.
The Calculation:
1. Calculate the Scaling Factor: This is the ratio of your desired servings to the original recipe's servings.
Scaling Factor = Desired Servings / Original Recipe Servings
2. Adjust Each Ingredient: Multiply the original amount of each ingredient by this scaling factor.
New Ingredient Amount = Original Ingredient Amount * Scaling Factor
Example:
Let's say you have a recipe for 4 servings that calls for 2 cups of flour.
You want to make it for 6 servings.
Scaling Factor = 6 servings / 4 servings = 1.5
New Flour Amount = 2 cups * 1.5 = 3 cups
You would then use 3 cups of flour. This same logic applies to every ingredient in the recipe (sugar, butter, spices, liquids, etc.) to ensure the final dish has the same taste and texture.
Use Cases:
Adjusting for Guest Count: Easily modify a recipe to feed more or fewer people.
Leftover Management: Scale down a recipe if you only want a small portion or to avoid excessive leftovers.
Batch Cooking: Prepare larger quantities of a favorite meal for the week.
Experimentation: Safely scale exotic or expensive ingredient recipes to try them out first.
Using this calculator ensures that your culinary creations remain balanced and delicious, regardless of the quantity you're preparing.
function calculateIngredients() {
var originalServings = parseFloat(document.getElementById("originalServings").value);
var desiredServings = parseFloat(document.getElementById("desiredServings").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var resultValueDiv = document.getElementById("result-value");
if (isNaN(originalServings) || isNaN(desiredServings) || originalServings <= 0 || desiredServings <= 0) {
resultValueDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for servings.";
resultDiv.style.display = "block";
return;
}
var scalingFactor = desiredServings / originalServings;
var resultText = "To make the recipe for " + desiredServings + " servings, you will need to multiply each ingredient amount from the original " + originalServings + "-serving recipe by " + scalingFactor.toFixed(2) + ".";
resultText += "For example:";
resultText += "
";
resultText += "
If the original recipe called for 2 cups of flour, you'll need 2 * " + scalingFactor.toFixed(2) + " = " + (2 * scalingFactor).toFixed(2) + " cups of flour.
";
resultText += "
If the original recipe called for 1 teaspoon of salt, you'll need 1 * " + scalingFactor.toFixed(2) + " = " + (1 * scalingFactor).toFixed(2) + " teaspoon(s) of salt.
";
resultText += "
If the original recipe called for 500g of chicken, you'll need 500 * " + scalingFactor.toFixed(2) + " = " + (500 * scalingFactor).toFixed(2) + "g of chicken.
";
resultText += "
";
resultText += "Remember to apply this factor to ALL ingredients (liquids, spices, etc.) for consistent results.";
resultValueDiv.innerHTML = resultText;
resultDiv.style.display = "block";
}