High Altitude Baking Calculator
Enter your altitude to get specific adjustments for temperature, leavening, sugar, and liquid.
High Altitude Baking Calculator
feet
Baking Adjustments for 5,000 ft
Oven TempIncrease by 15°F
Baking Powder / SodaReduce by 1/4 tsp per tsp
SugarReduce by 1–2 tbsp per cup
LiquidIncrease by 2–3 tbsp per cup
FlourIncrease by 1 tbsp per cup
Yeast (bread)Reduce by 1/3–1/2
Pan SizeUse larger pan or fill only 1/2–2/3 full
Why adjust?
At high altitude, lower air pressure causes baked goods to rise faster and liquids to evaporate more quickly. Adjustments prevent collapsed cakes, dry textures, and over-risen bread.
Why Altitude Affects Baking
At sea level, air pressure is about 14.7 psi. At 5,000 feet, it drops to 12.2 psi. This lower pressure causes:
- Faster leavening: Carbon dioxide bubbles expand more rapidly, so baked goods rise too fast and can collapse
- Faster evaporation: Water boils at lower temperatures (202°F at 5,000 ft vs. 212°F at sea level), drying out batters
- Reduced boiling point: Candy making and syrup-based recipes are affected significantly
City Altitudes Reference
| City | Altitude | Adjustments Needed |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 33 ft | None |
| Chicago, IL | 594 ft | None |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 4,327 ft | Moderate |
| Denver, CO | 5,280 ft | Moderate |
| Albuquerque, NM | 5,312 ft | Moderate |
| Mexico City, MX | 7,350 ft | Significant |
| Cusco, Peru | 11,154 ft | Major |