Calories in brown sugar
Packed. 380 kcal (1,590 kJ) per 100 g. Choose a portion below and every figure on the page updates.
Brown sugar is white sucrose with some molasses left in or added back, which gives it colour, moisture and a caramel flavour. Nutritionally it is almost pure sugar: 97 g per 100 g, for 380 kcal (1590 kJ). The molasses adds traces of calcium and potassium, but in the amounts used in cooking these minerals are negligible.
Where the energy comes from
Share of total energy contributed by each macronutrient, using the standard 4/4/9 kcal per gram factors:
Full nutrition breakdown
Values shown for 4.6 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 17 kcal | – |
| Energy | 73 kJ | – |
| Protein | 0 g | <1% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated | 0 g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated | 0 g | – |
| Polyunsaturated | 0 g | – |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 4.5 g | 2% |
| Sugars | 4.46 g | – |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0% |
| Water | 0.1 g | – |
| Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin K | 0 µg | 0% |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0 mg | 0% |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0 mg | 0% |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.005 mg | <1% |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.006 mg | <1% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.002 mg | <1% |
| Folate | 0 µg | <1% |
| Choline | 0.1 mg | <1% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 3.8 mg | <1% |
| Iron | 0.033 mg | <1% |
| Magnesium | 0.4 mg | <1% |
| Phosphorus | 0.2 mg | <1% |
| Potassium | 6.1 mg | <1% |
| Sodium | 1.3 mg | <1% |
| Zinc | 0.001 mg | <1% |
| Copper | 0.002 mg | <1% |
| Manganese | 0.003 mg | <1% |
| Selenium | 0.1 µg | <1% |
Daily Values are the FDA reference intakes for adults and children aged 4 and over, based on a 2,000 kcal diet. They are a labelling standard, not a personal target.
Common portions
| Portion | Grams | kcal | kJ | Protein g | Carbs g | Fat g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp, packed | 4.6 | 17 | 73 | 0 | 4.5 | 0 |
| 1 tbsp, packed | 13.8 | 52 | 219 | 0 | 13.5 | 0 |
| 1 cup, packed | 220 | 836 | 3,498 | 0.3 | 215.8 | 0 |
Things worth knowing
- One packed teaspoon (4.6 g) has about 17 kcal (73 kJ) and one packed tablespoon (13.8 g) about 52 kcal (219 kJ); a packed cup is 836 kcal (3498 kJ).
- Brown sugar is not a lower-calorie alternative to white sugar. Granulated white sugar has 387 kcal per 100 g; brown sugar's slightly lower figure comes from its small water content.
- Packing matters for measuring: a packed spoonful holds more sugar than a loosely filled one, so kitchen scales are more reliable than spoon counts.
- Even a full packed tablespoon provides only about 11 mg of calcium, under 1% of the Daily Value, so brown sugar is not a meaningful mineral source.
Converting these figures
One 1 tsp, packed of brown sugar is 17 kcal, which is 73 kJ. To convert any other figure, divide kilojoules by 4.184 for calories, or use the converter on the home page.
It takes 63 g of brown sugar to reach 1,000 kJ (239 kcal). See how that compares with other foods on the 1000 kJ to calories page.
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Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy 19334. Values are averages; individual samples vary with variety, growing conditions, and preparation.