Start by adding your ingredients to the "Ingredients List" section. For each ingredient, enter:

• The ingredient name (type or select from dropdown)
• The unit you purchased it in (kg, g, L, or ml)
• The quantity you purchased
• The price you paid

Then move to the "Recipe Calculator" section to build your recipe and see costs.

No, there are no accounts or registration required. The calculator works entirely in your browser and saves your data locally.

Yes, PastryCal is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees, subscriptions, or premium features.

We support over 200 common baking and cooking ingredients including:

• All types of flours and starches
• Sugars and sweeteners
• Dairy products and fats
• Liquids and oils
• Common baking additives
• And many more specialty ingredients

You can also enter custom ingredients, but they may not have density data for unit conversions.

For purchase quantities: kg, g, L, ml

For recipe quantities: kg, g, L, ml, tbsp, tsp

The calculator automatically converts between these units using ingredient density data.

If an ingredient doesn't appear in the dropdown, you can still type it manually. However:

• Try using common names (e.g., "all-purpose flour" instead of "AP flour")
• Check for spelling variations
• Use the most specific name available

Custom ingredients will work for cost calculations but may not support mass↔volume conversions.

Unit conversions are based on average density values and are generally accurate for recipe costing purposes. However:

• Liquids and standardized products: Very accurate (±2-5%)
• Dry ingredients: Good accuracy (±5-10%)
• Variable items: Reasonable estimates (±10-20%)

For maximum accuracy, use weight measurements (grams) whenever possible.

Costs are calculated using this formula:

All quantities are converted to the same base units first. The calculator handles complex conversions between mass and volume units automatically.

Several factors can cause differences:

• Price changes: Your current market prices may differ from purchase prices
• Measurement variations: Real-world measuring differs from theoretical conversions
• Ingredient density: Actual density may differ from our averages
• Waste and loss: The calculator doesn't account for spillage or waste

Yes, many small bakeries and food businesses use our calculator. However, for commercial applications:

• Verify critical calculations independently
• Consider additional costs (labor, overhead, packaging)
• Use weight measurements for maximum accuracy
• Factor in realistic waste percentages

Treat the results as estimates and use professional accounting for final pricing.

We recommend updating prices:

• Monthly: For stable, shelf-stable ingredients
• Weekly: For fresh ingredients and dairy
• With each purchase: For ingredients with frequent price changes
• Seasonally: For fruits and vegetables

Regular updates ensure your cost calculations reflect current market conditions.

Your data is stored locally in your browser. Data loss can occur if you:

• Clear your browser cache and storage
• Use private/incognito browsing
• Switch browsers or devices
• Use the "Clear All" button

Prevention: Regularly export important recipes as PDFs for backup. The data is only stored on your current device and browser.

Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Refresh the page - Press F5 or Ctrl+R
2. Clear your browser cache - Sometimes old files cause issues
3. Try a different browser - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
4. Check JavaScript - Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
5. Disable extensions - Some browser extensions can interfere

If problems persist, contact us with details about your browser and the issue.

Yes! The calculator is responsive and works on:

• Desktop computers (recommended for easiest use)
• Tablets and iPads
• Smartphones (may require more scrolling)

For mobile devices, we recommend using in landscape orientation for the best experience.

PDF generation issues can be caused by:

• Browser restrictions: Some browsers block pop-ups for downloads
• Slow internet: The PDF library needs to load completely
• Ad blockers: Some may interfere with the PDF script
• File name issues: Use simple file names without special characters

Try using Chrome or Firefox, and allow pop-ups for the site if prompted.

Yes, completely private. We don't collect, store, or see any of your data. Everything is stored locally in your browser using localStorage.

This means:

• Your recipes never leave your computer
• We don't have access to your ingredient lists or prices
• No registration or personal information required
• Your data is only on the device and browser you use

All data is stored locally in your browser's localStorage. This means:

• Data is specific to each browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
• Data is specific to each device (computer, phone, tablet)
• Clearing browser data will delete your recipes
• Private/incognito browsing doesn't save data between sessions

We recommend exporting important recipes as PDF backups.

We use minimal, essential technology:

• LocalStorage: To save your ingredient data (not a cookie)
• No analytics: We don't track your usage or behavior
• No advertising: No ads or tracking for marketing
• CDN libraries: We load jsPDF from a public CDN for PDF generation

We believe in privacy by design - your baking should be your business only.