Exact 68% Sourdough Ratio for 400g Flour: 259g Water vs 272g Apparent (1 Small Boule)
Baker's math for 400g flour at 68% (748g dough, 1 small boule): 259g corrected water vs 70.9% drift.
A 748g sourdough batch using 400g flour and 80g starter holds 440g total flour (400g + 40g). While 272g apparent water creates 70.9% wetness (+2.9% drift), cutting 13g to 259g main water with 8.8g salt locks True Total Hydration at 67.95% (target 68%).
- Strict True Hydration Water
- 259gLocks True Total Hydration at 67.95% (target 68%, -13g)
- Unadjusted Apparent Water
- 272gPushes True Hydration to 70.9% (+2.9% surge)
- 20% Active Starter & Salt
- 80g / 8.8g40g hidden flour + 40g hidden water
- Stickiness & Rheology
- 2 / 5 StarsBeginner Friendly (Balanced extensibility)
Starter Inoculation & Water Deduction Table Around 400g Flour @ 68%
Exact autolyse (233g) and bassinage (26g) water calibration around 400g flour at 68% hydration.
| Batch & Seed Spec | Flour Breakdown | Levain Split | Corrected Water (68% Ref) | Salt & Dough Mass | Apparent vs Locked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350g @ 66% (15% Seed) Lean Seed (-50g) | 350g + 27g = 377g (68%/400g ref) | 53g (27gF/26gW @ 100%) | 223g W (vs 231g app @ R1) | 7.5g salt (626g dough) | 68.2% drift → 66.05% (66% goal) |
| 400g @ 66% (18% Seed) Low Inoc (-2% Hyd) | 400g + 40g = 440g (68%/400g ref) | 72g (40gF/32gW @ 80%) | 258g W (vs 264g app @ R2) | 8.8g salt (730g dough) | 67.3% drift → 65.91% (66% goal) |
| 400g @ 68% (20% Seed) [Target Baseline] | 400g + 40g = 440g (68%/400g ref) | 80g (40gF/40gW @ 100%) | 259g W (vs 272g app @ R3) | 8.8g salt (739g dough) | 70.9% drift → 67.95% (68% goal) |
| 400g @ 70% (22% Seed) High Inoc (+2% Hyd) | 400g + 44g = 444g (68%/400g ref) | 88g (44gF/44gW @ 100%) | 267g W (vs 280g app @ R4) | 8.9g salt (755g dough) | 73.0% drift → 70.05% (70% goal) |
| 450g @ 70% (25% Seed) Scaled Batch (+50g) | 450g + 50g = 500g (68%/400g ref) | 113g (50gF/63gW @ 125%) | 287g W (vs 315g app @ R5) | 10.0g salt (850g dough) | 75.6% drift → 70.0% (70% goal) |
Live Parameter Solver for Exact 68% Sourdough Ratio for 400g Flour:
Dial in custom baker's percentages and export your adjusted 259g formula for bake day.
True 67.95% vs 70.9% Apparent Hydration on 400g Flour (80g Starter)
Flour-water coupling on 400g base grain changes once 80g liquid levain (40g F / 40g W) enters the mixer: 272g main water creates 312g total water (70.9%, +2.9% overshoot). Scaling back 13g to 259g water over 440g total flour locks True Total Hydration at 67.95% (target 68%).
Rated 2/5 for surface tack (Beginner Friendly), a 400g batch mixed with 259g corrected water and 8.8g salt (2.0% of 440g total flour) shows balanced alveolar stretch. Trickling 26g bassinage water after a 233g rest stabilizes the 67.95% (68%) gluten film.
Execution Schedule: 400g Flour, 259g Water & 80g Starter (67.95%)
- Dry-Pocket Elimination (400g F + 233g W): Combine 400g flour with 233g water (withholding 26g from 259g) for a 45-min autolyse.
- Deduction-Calibrated Mix (-13g Cut from 272g): Work 80g active starter, 8.8g salt, and 26g bassinage water into the 748g dough (67.95%).
- Strength Building (2/5 Stars at 68%): Apply 4 gentle folds every 30 min so 440g total flour develops balanced backbone.
- Shaping & Crust Caramelization (748g Loaf): Bench rest 25 min after +50% bulk rise, cold-proof 14 hrs at 38°F, and bake at 450°F (232°C).
Cereal Chemistry & Bench Execution FAQs
How much water do I deduct for 80g starter in a 400g / 68% recipe?
Deduct 13g of water from the 272g apparent weight (pouring 259g main water instead) to offset the +2.9% surge (70.9%) from 80g starter (40gW/40gF).
Should I use slap-and-fold or coil folds for 400g flour at 68% (259g water)?
With 259g water (233g + 26g) and 80g starter on 400g flour (748g batch, 2/5 tack), use 4 damp-hand coil folds 30 minutes apart to align the 440g flour network.
Why does unadjusted 272g water cause a +2.9% surge on 400g flour at 68%?
Because 68% is below 100% starter hydration, 80g starter (40gW / 40gF) raises 272g water to 312g over 440g flour (70.9%). Cutting 13g to 259g locks 67.95%.