70% Hydration

70% hydration pizza dough.

This guide explains when 70% hydration pizza dough works best, how it feels during mixing and shaping, and what kind of crust it can produce in a home oven or pizza oven.

Best for

70% hydration pizza dough is a strong choice for airy artisan pizza, modern Neapolitan dough, and bakers comfortable with wetter dough.

Handling

70% hydration dough usually feels moderate to advanced, depending on flour strength, dough temperature, and fermentation time.

Texture

Expect a crust that is lighter crumb and more open structure when fermented and baked well.

How to make 70% hydration pizza dough

To make 70% hydration pizza dough, use 700 grams of water for every 1000 grams of flour. Add salt based on your style, use yeast appropriate for your fermentation schedule, and mix until the dough has enough gluten strength to hold shape. Let the dough rest, ball it, and ferment until it stretches easily without tearing.

70% hydration is not just a number. It affects dough stickiness, extensibility, oven spring, crumb openness, and how forgiving the dough feels on the bench. Matching hydration to your flour and oven will usually improve your pizza faster than chasing random recipe changes.

Also read the pizza dough calculator, pizza dough guide, and cold fermentation guide for more context.

70% hydration FAQ

Is 70% hydration good for pizza dough?

Yes. 70% hydration is a practical option when it matches your flour, style, and handling skill.

Why does 70% hydration feel different from other recipes?

Because even small hydration changes affect stickiness, dough strength, and final texture. Fermentation time and flour strength matter too.

Should I use strong flour?

It helps, especially if you want longer fermentation and more open crumb.

Hydration comparison

Not sure whether this hydration is right for you? Compare 60%, 65%, and 70% hydration side by side. Lower hydration is generally easier to handle and crisper. Higher hydration can be lighter and airier but needs more control.