Yeast conversion calculator
A recipe calls for fresh yeast and you have instant, or the other way around. Enter the amount you have and see the equivalent weight of all three types.
Runs in your browser: nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How to use it
- Type the weight of yeast in grams.
- Choose which kind you are starting from.
- Read the equivalent weight of instant, active dry and fresh yeast.
How it works
All three types are converted through instant yeast. Instant = active dry ÷ 1.25 = fresh ÷ 3. The other types are then instant × 1.25 and instant × 3.
| Type |
Relative weight |
| Instant |
1 |
| Active dry |
1.25 |
| Fresh |
3 |
Worked example
A recipe needs 21 g of fresh yeast. 21 ÷ 3 = 7 g instant, or 7 × 1.25 = 8.75 g active dry. That 7 g is about one US packet, or 2¼ teaspoons.
Tips
Frequently asked questions
What are the conversion ratios?
This tool uses common rules of thumb: active dry yeast weighs 1.25 times as much as instant yeast and fresh yeast 3 times as much. So 7 g instant is about 8.75 g active dry or 21 g fresh. These are approximations and brands and packaging differ, so treat them as a starting point.
What is the difference between the three types?
Fresh yeast, also called compressed or cake yeast, is a moist block. Active dry yeast is granulated and is often dissolved in warm water first. Instant yeast, which includes bread machine yeast, is finer and can be mixed straight into the flour. They are the same species, in different forms.
How much is a packet of yeast?
The King Arthur ingredient weight chart lists 2¼ teaspoons of instant yeast as 7 g, which is the size of a typical US packet. Packet sizes vary by country and brand.
Do I have to change the rising time too?
The conversion aims for a similar amount of leavening, so times should be close, but a different form of yeast can act slightly faster or slower. Judge the dough by how much it has risen, not only by the clock.
Can I convert sourdough starter to yeast?
Not with a fixed ratio: the strength of a starter depends on how active it is and how it is fed. This tool only converts the three commercial yeast types.