Scale to GramsHow Much Does a Loaf of Bread Weigh? Every Type Compared
Standard Bread Weights by Type
White sandwich bread (the classic pre-sliced loaf) weighs about 567 grams (20 oz or 1.25 lbs) for a standard loaf containing about 20-22 slices. Whole wheat sandwich bread weighs the same — approximately 567 grams per loaf. A French baguette weighs about 250-340 grams (9-12 oz). An Italian ciabatta loaf weighs about 350-450 grams (12-16 oz). A sourdough boule (round loaf) typically weighs 680-900 grams (1.5-2 lbs). A pumpernickel or rye loaf weighs about 450-680 grams (1-1.5 lbs). Brioche and challah loaves weigh about 400-500 grams (14-18 oz). A standard hamburger or hot dog bun weighs about 40-50 grams each. A dinner roll weighs about 28-35 grams.
Slice Weight and Calories
A standard slice of white sandwich bread weighs about 25-28 grams and contains approximately 67-75 calories. Whole wheat bread slices weigh about 28-32 grams and contain 69-80 calories per slice — slightly more because whole wheat flour is denser. A thick-cut "Texas toast" style slice weighs about 40-45 grams and has about 100-120 calories. Sourdough slices vary significantly by thickness but average about 40-55 grams per slice for artisan-cut, with 100-140 calories. A thin slice of baguette (2 cm thick) weighs about 25 grams and has about 68 calories. A bagel (which is technically a bread) weighs about 100-120 grams and has 270-350 calories — equivalent to 4-5 slices of regular bread.
Homemade Bread Weight
If you bake your own bread, the final loaf weight depends on the recipe and how much water evaporated during baking. A standard recipe using 3 cups of flour produces a loaf weighing approximately 600-700 grams. Bread loses about 10-15% of its pre-bake weight during baking as water evaporates — a 700g dough ball becomes approximately 600-630g after baking. Wetter doughs (like ciabatta and high-hydration sourdough) lose more moisture and may shrink up to 20%. The baking vessel matters: bread baked in a standard loaf pan is denser and retains more moisture than free-form loaves baked on a sheet, which have more surface area for evaporation. If your recipe specifies a final dough weight rather than a final baked weight, account for the 10-15% moisture loss.
Bread Weight for Recipes and Meal Planning
When a recipe calls for bread by weight (common in European recipes, stuffings, and bread puddings), knowing the weight per slice or per loaf saves time. One pound of bread (454g) is approximately 16-18 standard slices or about 80% of a standard loaf. For French toast or bread pudding, you typically need about 350-450g of bread (12-16 slices). For breadcrumbs, one slice of bread yields approximately 1/3 cup of fresh breadcrumbs or 1/4 cup of dry breadcrumbs. A standard loaf makes about 6 cups of fresh breadcrumbs. For sandwiches, plan 2 slices per person (50-56g of bread). For a dinner party serving bread baskets, plan 2-3 pieces per person (about 75-100g each).
Estimating Bread Weight Without a Scale
Most commercial bread packaging lists the net weight prominently — check the label before looking for other methods. For unpackaged bakery bread, a loaf that fits in one hand is typically 250-350g (baguette range). A loaf that requires two hands is usually 500-700g (standard loaf range). A large round boule that feels heavy is likely 700-900g. For homemade bread where you want to check the baked weight, you can photograph the loaf next to a known reference (like the flour bag you used) and use Scale to Grams for an AI estimate. Individual slices can be estimated by thickness: a slice as thick as your finger (about 1.5cm) weighs about 25-30g, while a slice as thick as your thumb (about 2.5cm) weighs about 40-50g.
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