Last Updated on April 21, 2020

I have a two-pound bread machine. As a result, most of the recipes on this site are for two-pound machines.

However, bread machines come in different sizes. So I’m frequently asked how to convert recipes into recipes for bread machines of different sizes.

How do I convert a two-pound loaf recipe to another size?

A good place to start is by just doing the math. If a recipe for a two-pound machine calls for 4 cups of flour then use 2 cups (four divided by 2) for the one-pound recipe. Do that for the rest of the ingredients.

Go through the entire recipe and write everything down before you start.  That way if you need to tweak the recipe, you’ll know what you tried the first time.  Plus this will save you time the next time you want to make the recipe.

If you’re converting a recipe for a two-pound loaf of bread to a 1.5-pound loaf of bread, then more math is more involved.

Take the amount of flour for the two-pound bread machine recipe and divide it by 4. This gets you the ingredients needed per half a pound.

Then take that number times 3. This gets you the ingredients needed for a 1.5-pound machine.

So in our example, we’d take 4 cups of flour and divide it by 4. That equals 1. Then take 1 times 3, and we get 3 cups of flour for a 1.5-pound loaf of bread.

You’ll probably run into things that you need to be rounded. Make your best guess.  Again, be sure to write everything down.

As a final step, take a second look at the converted yeast amount. Does it look like a typical amount of yeast for your machine’s size? If it’s not what you would expect, adjust the yeast amount up or down as you think best.

When you make your converted recipe for the first time:

Follow the instructions that came with your bread machine in terms of which ingredients to put in the bread machine first.

As always, check on the dough after five or ten minutes of kneading. The dough should be a smooth, round ball. 

Smooth, round ball of dough

If it’s too dry, add liquid a teaspoon at a time until the dough balls up. If it looks too wet, add flour a teaspoon at a time until it looks as desired. Again, keep notes about the needed changes to the recipe.

Tweaking the Recipe

Sometimes you’ll get a good conversion on your first try. If you’re like me though, it may take two or three tries to get the recipe just right. Be sure to keep notes on your adjustments so you know what works and what doesn’t.

Here are some hints:

Did the loaf rise too much? Try decreasing the yeast, liquid or sugar. You could also increase the salt.

Did the loaf not rise enough? Try decreasing the salt. You could also increase the yeast, liquid or sugar.

Did the top of the loaf crack? Try decreasing the flour or increasing the liquid.

Is the crust too dark? Increase the liquid 1 to 2 tablespoons.