Calories in honey
Pure honey. 304 kcal (1,272 kJ) per 100 g. Choose a portion below and every figure on the page updates.
Honey is about 82% sugar and 17% water, with essentially no fat and only traces of protein. That gives it 304 kcal (1272 kJ) per 100 g, a little less than table sugar by weight because of the water. Its sugars are mainly fructose and glucose, and the vitamins and minerals it contains are present only in small amounts.
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 21 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 64 kcal | – |
| Energy | 267 kJ | – |
| Protein | 0.1 g | <1% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated | 0 g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated | 0 g | – |
| Polyunsaturated | 0 g | – |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 17.3 g | 6% |
| Sugars | 17.25 g | – |
| Fibre | 0 g | <1% |
| Water | 3.6 g | – |
| Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.105 mg | <1% |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin K | 0 µg | 0% |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0 mg | 0% |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.008 mg | <1% |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.025 mg | <1% |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.014 mg | <1% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.005 mg | <1% |
| Folate | 0.4 µg | <1% |
| Choline | 0.5 mg | <1% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 1.3 mg | <1% |
| Iron | 0.088 mg | <1% |
| Magnesium | 0.4 mg | <1% |
| Phosphorus | 0.8 mg | <1% |
| Potassium | 10.9 mg | <1% |
| Sodium | 0.8 mg | <1% |
| Zinc | 0.046 mg | <1% |
| Copper | 0.008 mg | <1% |
| Manganese | 0.017 mg | <1% |
| Selenium | 0.168 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 tbsp | 21 | 64 | 267 | 0.1 | 17.3 | 0 |
| 1 tsp | 7 | 21 | 89 | 0 | 5.8 | 0 |
| 1 packet | 14 | 43 | 178 | 0 | 11.5 | 0 |
Things worth knowing
- A tablespoon of honey (21 g) has 64 kcal / 267 kJ, and a teaspoon (7 g) 21 kcal / 89 kJ.
- Per 100 g, granulated sugar has more energy (387 kcal) than honey, but honey is denser: a teaspoon of honey weighs about 7 g against 4.2 g for sugar, so it carries more calories (21 vs about 16 kcal).
- Raw, manuka and ordinary supermarket honeys have very similar energy values, since all are mostly sugar and water; the differences between types are mainly flavour and colour.
- Health authorities advise against giving honey to babies under 12 months old because of the risk of infant botulism.
Converting these figures
One 1 tbsp of honey is 64 kcal, which is 267 kJ. To convert any other figure, divide kilojoules by 4.184 for calories, or use the converter on the home page.
It takes 79 g of honey to reach 1,000 kJ (239 kcal). See how that compares with other foods on the 1000 kJ to calories page.
Similar foods
Compare all 12 sweets and snacks in one table →
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy 19296. Values are averages; individual samples vary with variety, growing conditions, and preparation.