Sweety's Bakery

Yeast Conversion Calculator

Instantly convert between active dry, instant, and fresh yeast. Supports both teaspoons and grams for professional accuracy.

Input Amount

Pro Tip: Instant yeast is more potent than active dry. Fresh yeast is mostly water, so you need about 3x as much by weight compared to instant.

Equivalents

  • Active Dry Yeast1.00 tsp
  • Instant Yeast0.75 tsp
  • Fresh Yeast2.50 tsp

Why Weigh Yeast?

Teaspoons can be inaccurate. A teaspoon of yeast can weigh anywhere from 2.8g to 4g depending on the brand and granule size. For consistent rise times, weighing your yeast in grams is always recommended.

Live Cake Yeast vs. Instant Yeast Converter

Found a vintage recipe calling for Fresh Yeast (Cake Yeast) but only have packets of Instant in the cupboard? Or maybe you're converting a professional sourdough formula to commercial yeast. Different types of yeast have different potencies. Using the wrong amount can lead to collapsed dough or an overpowering yeast flavor. Our calculator uses precise industry-standard ratios to convert between Active Dry, Instant, and Fresh yeast.

How to Convert Yeast

  1. Identify Your Source: Select the yeast type listed in your recipe.
  2. Enter Amount: Input the quantity in teaspoons or grams (grams are more accurate!).
  3. Understand Potency:
    • Instant Yeast is the strongest (100% potency).
    • Active Dry is moderate (need about 25% more than instant).
    • Fresh Yeast is the weakest by weight (need 3x the weight of instant).
  4. Standard Ratio: 7g Instant = 9g Active Dry = 21g Fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bloom Instant Yeast?▼

No. Instant yeast (also called Rapid Rise) is processed to dissolve quickly and can be mixed directly into the flour. Active Dry yeast has a coating of dead cells and usually needs to be dissolved in warm water ("bloomed") first to wake it up.

What is Fresh Yeast?▼

Fresh yeast (baker's yeast or cake yeast) is a moist block of live yeast cells. It's highly perishable and lasts only about 2 weeks in the fridge. Professional bakers prize it for its sweet, complex flavor and strong rising power in high-sugar doughs.

Can I freeze yeast?▼

Absolutely. Freezing extends the life of dry yeast significantly (often 1+ years past expiration). Just make sure it is in an airtight container or vacuum sealed to prevent moisture damage.