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Baking Soda Substitute

Written by · Updated August 13, 2026

Out of baking soda mid-bake? The quickest fix is baking powder, about three times the amount. Enter what your recipe calls for to get the exact swap.

Use instead
3 tsp baking powder

Replaces 1 tsp baking soda.

Baking soda vs baking powder

They’re not interchangeable one-for-one. Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate and needs an acid (buttermilk, yogurt, lemon, brown sugar) to create lift. Baking powder already contains both the base and a powdered acid, so it works on its own. That’s why substituting takes a little math, which the calculator above handles.

Substitutes for baking soda

  • Baking powder: use about 3× as much (1 tsp soda → 3 tsp powder). Best when the recipe has little added acid.
  • Self-rising flour: already contains leavening, swap it for the plain flour and reduce or skip the soda.
  • Potassium bicarbonate: 1:1 for soda (add a pinch of salt; it’s sodium-free).

Substitutes for baking powder

  • Baking soda + cream of tartar: for each 1 tsp baking powder, use ¼ tsp baking soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar.
  • Baking soda + acid: ¼ tsp soda plus ½ cup buttermilk or yogurt (reduce other liquid by ½ cup).
  • Self-rising flour: swap it in for the plain flour and omit the baking powder.

Self-rising flour substitute

Make your own self-rising flour: 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt. Whisk together and use cup-for-cup.

Frequently asked questions

What can I use instead of baking soda?

Baking powder is the easiest substitute, use about 3 times as much (1 tsp baking soda → 3 tsp baking powder). Self-rising flour or potassium bicarbonate also work.

Is baking soda the same as baking powder?

No. Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate and needs an acid to activate. Baking powder already contains an acid, so it works alone. That’s why you can’t swap them 1:1.

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