Cooking Time Altitude Adjuster
At high altitudes, water boils below 100°C. Adjust boiling, baking and pressure cooking times.
Adjustments are estimates. Factors like humidity, recipe density and cookware also affect cooking times.
Indian cities by altitude
| City | Altitude (m) | Boiling Point (°C) | Cooking Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 14m | ~100°C | No adjustment needed |
| Chennai | 6m | ~100°C | No adjustment needed |
| Delhi | 216m | ~99.3°C | Minimal — no adjustment |
| Kolkata | 9m | ~100°C | No adjustment needed |
| Bangalore | 920m | ~96.9°C | +5% boiling time |
| Pune | 560m | ~98.1°C | Minimal |
| Hyderabad | 542m | ~98.2°C | Minimal |
| Shimla | 2200m | ~92.5°C | +11% boiling, +37% pressure |
| Ooty | 2240m | ~92.4°C | +11% boiling, +38% pressure |
| Manali | 2050m | ~93°C | +10% boiling, +30% pressure |
| Leh | 3500m | ~88°C | +18% boiling, +48% pressure |
| Darjeeling | 2042m | ~93°C | +10% boiling |
Frequently asked questions
Why does water boil at lower temperatures at high altitude?
At higher altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower. Water boils when its vapour pressure equals atmospheric pressure, so at lower pressure it boils at a lower temperature. At Leh (3500m), water boils at about 88°C instead of 100°C.
Why does this matter for cooking?
Many foods cook due to the temperature of boiling water. If water boils at 88°C instead of 100°C, the food is being cooked at a lower temperature, so it takes longer. Dal and rice that take 20 minutes in Mumbai may take 24 minutes in Shimla.
Does a pressure cooker help at high altitude?
Yes — a pressure cooker raises the boiling point inside the vessel, partially compensating for altitude. However at very high altitudes (above 2000m) you still need to cook for longer than at sea level even with a pressure cooker.
Why do baked goods often collapse at high altitude?
At lower air pressure, leavening gases (CO2 from baking powder/soda) expand more than expected. The structure of the cake sets before the gas escapes, causing collapse. Using less baking powder and more flour helps stabilise the structure.
My eggs take longer to hard boil in Bangalore — is this the altitude?
Partly. Bangalore at 920m has a boiling point of ~97°C, adding about 1–2 minutes to boiling time. Also note that altitude, altitude, and lower pressure means less thermal energy transfer — your eggs simply need more time.