Tool
Yeast converter
Swap instant, active dry and fresh yeast in any recipe.
| Instant yeast | Active dry yeast | Fresh (cake) yeast |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp (3.1 g) | 1¼ tsp (3.9 g) | 7.8 g |
| 1 packet / 2¼ tsp (7 g) | 8.75 g (about 2¾ tsp) | 17.5 g (≈ one 0.6 oz US cake) |
| 5.6 g (1¾ tsp) | 7 g / 1 packet | 14 g |
| 10 g | 12.5 g | 25 g |
| 16.8 g | 21 g | 42 g (1 European cube) |
Ratio used: fresh 1 : active dry 0.5 : instant 0.4 by weight (the baker's rule published by Lesaffre, maker of SAF and Red Star yeast). A packet holds 7 g (¼ oz) of dry yeast, about 2¼ teaspoons. Many home bakers simply swap active dry and instant 1:1; the 25% adjustment matters most in long or cool rises.
How to substitute yeast
- Active dry → instant: use about 80% of the amount (1 packet active dry ≈ 1¾ tsp instant). Mix instant yeast straight into the flour; no proofing needed.
- Instant → active dry: use 25% more and dissolve it in some of the recipe's lukewarm liquid (about 105–110 °F / 40–43 °C) for 5–10 minutes before mixing.
- Dry → fresh: use 2–2.5× the weight. Crumble fresh yeast into the liquid or flour. Fresh yeast keeps about 2 weeks in the fridge.
- Sourdough starter: not a direct swap — as a rough guide, replace 7 g dry yeast with about 100–150 g of active starter and reduce the recipe's flour and water by half that weight each, then expect a much longer rise.
Measuring small amounts by volume is imprecise; a 0.1 g jewellery scale or a kitchen scale with 1 g resolution gives the most consistent bread. Need to convert the flour too? Use the flour cups to grams chart or the ingredient converter, and scale the whole recipe with the recipe scaler.
Frequently asked questions
How much instant yeast replaces a packet of active dry yeast?
About 1¾ teaspoons (5.6 g) of instant yeast replaces one 7 g packet of active dry yeast. Many bakers just use the whole packet; the dough will rise a little faster.
How much fresh yeast equals 7 g of dry yeast?
About 17.5 g of fresh yeast replaces 7 g of instant yeast, and about 14 g replaces 7 g of active dry yeast.
How many teaspoons are in a packet of yeast?
A standard packet holds 7 g (¼ oz), which is about 2¼ teaspoons.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes. Use about 25% less instant yeast and mix it directly with the flour instead of proofing it in water.
How much is a cube of fresh yeast in dry yeast?
A 42 g European cube equals about 21 g of active dry yeast or 16.8 g of instant yeast — roughly 3 packets of active dry.
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