Calories in Pizza
A typical slice of cheese pizza (~107g) is about 285 kcal with 12g protein. Calorie content varies dramatically by topping, thickness, and brand — restaurant slices can reach 400–500 kcal.
Nutrition by portion size
| Portion | kcal | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Fiber (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 slice cheese pizza (~107g) | 285 | 36 | 12 | 10 | 2.5 |
| 1 slice pepperoni (~111g) | 313 | 36 | 13 | 13 | 2.4 |
| 1 slice supreme (~120g) | 309 | 31 | 13 | 14 | 3.6 |
| 1 slice thin crust cheese (~80g) | 200 | 24 | 8 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 1 slice deep dish (~145g) | 400 | 46 | 16 | 17 | 3.2 |
| 1 personal pizza (12 oz / 340g) | 900 | 110 | 38 | 35 | 7 |
Per 100g — variant comparison
| Variant | kcal | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Fiber (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheese (regular) | 266 | 33 | 11 | 9.4 | 2.3 |
| Pepperoni | 282 | 32 | 12 | 11.6 | 2.2 |
| Supreme/everything | 257 | 26 | 11 | 11.7 | 3 |
| Thin crust cheese | 250 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 1.9 |
| Deep dish | 276 | 32 | 11 | 11.7 | 2.2 |
About these numbers
Pizza is one of the most calorie-variable common foods. A single slice can range from 200 kcal (thin crust cheese) to 500+ kcal (deep dish with multiple meat toppings). The portion problem is real: most adults eat 3+ slices in a typical pizza sitting (900+ kcal), which feels like "having pizza" but represents nearly half a day's calorie target.
Nutritionally, pizza isn't inherently unhealthy — it provides moderate protein, calcium from cheese, lycopene from tomato sauce, and meaningful calories per serving. The issue is portion control and calorie load. The Italian "pizza as a course" tradition (1–2 slices, with salad) produces very different metabolic outcomes than the American pattern (4–5 slices as a full meal). For weight management, structured portion control around pizza (1–2 slices, paired with vegetables) is the practical approach.
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 are in a slice of pizza?
- A typical regular-crust cheese slice (~107g) is approximately 285 kcal. Pepperoni adds ~30 kcal; supreme is ~310 kcal. Thin crust slices are smaller and lower (200 kcal). Deep dish or stuffed crust slices reach 400+ kcal. Restaurant slices vary enormously — a "New York slice" can be twice the size of a delivery chain slice. Always check the per-slice weight if precision matters.
- Is pizza bad for weight loss?
- Not inherently — but the typical 3–4 slice sitting (~900–1,200 kcal) makes it challenging. The 2017 Hess et al. analysis of pizza consumption patterns found pizza accounted for 6% of US adult calorie intake, much of it consumed in large portions. For weight loss, the practical strategies: limit to 1–2 slices, pair with a substantial salad, choose thin crust over deep dish, and budget for it in your daily calorie target rather than eating "extra" pizza on top of normal meals.
- Does pizza spike blood sugar?
- Yes, meaningfully. The high carb load from the crust (~36g per slice) combined with refined flour produces a typical post-meal glucose response of 60–100 mg/dL above baseline. The cheese and meat toppings slow the spike somewhat but don't eliminate it. For T2D and CGM-tracking individuals, pizza is one of the foods most likely to push glucose above 140 mg/dL one hour after eating. Strategies: thinner crust, fewer slices, pair with salad first (Shukla 2015 protocol).
- Thin crust or regular crust for fewer calories?
- Thin crust by a meaningful margin. A typical thin-crust slice is 200–230 kcal vs 280–310 for regular crust. Over a 3-slice sitting, that's 200+ kcal saved. The protein and topping content is similar; the savings come from reduced dough. For weight loss eating where pizza is included, thin crust is the easier choice. Cauliflower and chickpea crusts are even lower calorie but the texture often disappoints; experiment with samples before committing.
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