Free Salt Percentage calculator with clear step-by-step results.
Salting by percentage of total weight is the only reliable way to season consistently across batch sizes. Because salt crystals differ enormously in density - a teaspoon of Diamond Crystal weighs less than half a teaspoon of fine salt - the volume conversion depends on which salt you actually have.
Total salt required
Grams = food weight x target percentage
Volume equivalent
Teaspoons = grams still needed / grams per teaspoon for that salt
Around 1-1.5% for meat and vegetables, 2% for bread dough, 3-5% for a quick brine and up to 10% for fermenting vegetables such as sauerkraut or kimchi.
Crystal shape. Diamond Crystal is hollow and flaky at about 2.8 g per teaspoon while Morton is denser and rolled at 4.8 - nearly double, which is why recipes specify the brand.