Calories in Butter
Butter contains 717 kcal per 100g — essentially pure fat. 1 Tbsp (14g) is 102 kcal; 1 tsp (5g) is 36 kcal.
Nutrition by portion size
| Portion | kcal | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Fiber (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp butter (5g) | 36 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — |
| 1 Tbsp butter (14g) | 102 | 0 | 0.1 | 11.5 | — |
| 1 pat restaurant butter (5g) | 36 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — |
| 1 oz butter (28g) | 200 | 0 | 0.2 | 22.6 | — |
| 100g butter | 717 | 0 | 0.85 | 81 | — |
About these numbers
Butter is essentially pure fat (81%) — one of the most calorie-dense common foods. The 2020 Mensink WHO review noted butter modestly raises LDL cholesterol due to saturated fat content. The 2018 Astrup et al. dairy analysis qualified this — full-fat dairy in food matrix is more cardiovascularly neutral than isolated saturated fat. For practical cooking, butter has flavor value but adds calories quickly — measure deliberately.
Use the calculators
- Calorie Deficit Calculator — find how this portion fits your daily target
- Glycemic Load Calculator — compute exact GL for any serving size
- Macro Calculator — set protein, carb, fat splits for cut/maintain/bulk
- Net Carbs Calculator — useful for keto and T1D insulin dosing
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Frequently asked questions
- How many calories in butter?
- 1 tsp: 36 kcal. 1 Tbsp: 102 kcal. 1 oz: 200 kcal. Per 100g: 717 kcal — among the most calorie-dense foods.
- Is butter bad for you?
- In moderation, neutral for most adults. The 2018 Astrup et al. dairy review found no consistent link between full-fat dairy and CVD. The saturated fat content (51% saturated) modestly raises LDL but in food matrix the effect is smaller than isolated fat. For health-driven choices, olive oil has stronger evidence.
- Butter vs margarine?
- Modern soft margarines (non-hydrogenated) are leaner and have better fatty acid profiles than butter. Stick margarines (hydrogenated, with trans fats) are worse than butter. The 2017 review by Mozaffarian noted plant oil-based spreads are preferable to butter for cardiovascular health.
- How does butter affect weight?
- Calorie density makes butter a major weight-management variable. A "buttered everything" habit (toast, vegetables, mashed potatoes) can add 300+ kcal daily. For weight loss: measure butter deliberately or substitute with olive oil for cooking.
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