Here are two methods of measuring flour. However, the real key in successful bread making is checking on the dough after a few minutes of kneading.

Last updated on June 30, 2024 – Originally posted on February 4, 2017

Wondering how to measure flour? Check out two methods, weighing flour versus scooping flour. Each method has pros and cons.

Measuring Flour by Weight on Scale

This is the most accurate method of measuring flour.  However, it’s not as straightforward as you would think.

Different brands of flour can have different weights. This is why it’s critical to check on the dough a few minutes after it starts to knead. Add water or flour if needed.

When a weight is shown for any type of flour on my site, the amount given is an average weight for flour of that type.  Your flour weight may vary. 

Be sure to look at the dough after five or ten minutes of kneading. Open the bread machine and look at the dough. It should be a smooth, round ball. If it’s too dry add liquid a teaspoon at a time until it looks right. If it looks too wet, add flour a tablespoon at a time until it looks right.

Here’s an example of what your dough should look like.

Scoop and Sweep Four to Measure Flour by Volume

This is the method that I use.  I find it easier and it works well for me.

As someone who makes a lot of bread, I buy flour in bulk. Then, I “fluff” the flour by pouring the flour from the bag into a large container.

The flour is fluffed a second time.  This happens when I scoop the flour out of the large container into the flour canister that lives on my kitchen counter.

This “fluffing” or unpacking the flour is important.  If this step is skipped you may accidentally add too much flour to the recipe. 

Again, I fluff the flour by moving it into different flour containers twice.  What if you don’t need to move the flour around into different containers? Another method you can use is to use a spoon or fork to fluff the flour right in your flour container.  You can also put the flour into a bowl and fluff it there.   

Note that flour will settle after a time.  So you may need to fluff it again if too much time has gone by.  

What happens if you skip this step?  You can get dense, short loaves of bread.  Or you may see what I call a hippo loaf.  

See the shape?  Note that hippo loaves can also be created by making a small loaf of bread in a large bread pan.  For instance, I’d expect a one-pound loaf of bread made in a two-pound machine to have this shape.  The bread tastes fine, but the loaf has a distinct shape.

Use What Works for You

There really is no right or wrong way to measure flour.  Do what feels easy and right for you.

However, it is very important to check on your dough a few minutes after the kneading starts.  That will take care of most of your problems.

Also watch out for dense, short loaves of bread.  That’s a sign of too much flour in the dough.