Dry Matter Calculator
Enter the as-fed weight of a feed or sample and its moisture percentage to get dry matter percentage and weight. Add an as-fed nutrient percentage to see it expressed on a dry-matter basis so different feeds can be compared fairly.
Last updated: September 26, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is dry matter?
Dry matter is what remains of a feed or sample once all its water is removed. It is expressed as a percentage of the original, as-fed weight.
Why convert nutrients to a dry-matter basis?
Feeds hold different amounts of water, so as-fed percentages can be misleading. Putting each nutrient on a dry-matter basis lets you compare a wet feed with a dry one directly.
Do I need to use a specific weight unit?
No. Dry matter percentage does not depend on units, and weights come out in whatever unit you entered.
What if the moisture is 100%?
That means no dry matter at all, so a dry-matter-basis nutrient value cannot be calculated. The tool tells you when that happens instead of showing a meaningless number.
Can I use this for pet food labels?
Yes, for comparing guaranteed-analysis percentages between wet and dry foods, as long as you use the label's moisture value. It does not judge whether a food is appropriate for a particular pet.
Does this replace laboratory analysis?
No. Moisture readings can vary by sample and method. Use a lab result where accuracy matters for ration formulation.