Calories in hot chocolate (hot cocoa)
As typically prepared (USDA average). 72 kcal (301 kJ) per 100 g. Choose a portion below and every figure on the page updates.
Hot chocolate, or hot cocoa, is a sweet drink made from cocoa or chocolate, sugar and milk or water. USDA's general entry for hot chocolate as people typically make it has 72 kcal (301 kJ) per 100 g, with most of the energy coming from sugar: about 12 g per 100 g. The milk adds some protein and calcium, and caffeine is very low.
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 248 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 179 kcal | – |
| Energy | 747 kJ | – |
| Protein | 4.5 g | 9% |
| Total fat | 2.6 g | 3% |
| Saturated | 1.52 g | 8% |
| Monounsaturated | 0.62 g | – |
| Polyunsaturated | 0.08 g | – |
| Cholesterol | 7 mg | 2% |
| Total carbohydrate | 34.5 g | 13% |
| Sugars | 29.76 g | – |
| Fibre | 0.5 g | 2% |
| Caffeine | 7 mg | – |
| Water | 204.7 g | – |
| Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A | 84.3 µg | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 0.248 mg | <1% |
| Vitamin D | 0.992 µg | 5% |
| Vitamin E | 0.074 mg | <1% |
| Vitamin K | 0.496 µg | <1% |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.074 mg | 6% |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.238 mg | 18% |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.25 mg | 2% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.079 mg | 5% |
| Folate | 2.5 µg | <1% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.595 µg | 25% |
| Choline | 23.1 mg | 4% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 151.3 mg | 12% |
| Iron | 0.198 mg | 1% |
| Magnesium | 37.2 mg | 9% |
| Phosphorus | 171.1 mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 307.5 mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 163.7 mg | 7% |
| Zinc | 0.818 mg | 7% |
| Copper | 0.131 mg | 15% |
| Selenium | 3 µg | 5% |
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 cup (8 fl oz) | 248 | 179 | 747 | 4.5 | 34.5 | 2.6 |
| 1 mug (12 fl oz) | 372 | 268 | 1,121 | 6.8 | 51.7 | 3.9 |
Things worth knowing
- A standard cup (8 fl oz, 248 g) has about 179 kcal (747 kJ), and a 12 fl oz mug about 268 kcal (1121 kJ), before any marshmallows or cream.
- What you make it with changes the total. USDA puts a cup made with whole or 2% milk at about 226 kcal, with skim or 1% milk about 193, and a dry mix made with water about 134 kcal.
- Whipped cream on top raises a cup to about 250 kcal. Large café servings, extra syrup and marshmallows push it higher still.
- A cup contains only about 7 mg of caffeine, a small fraction of the amount in a cup of brewed coffee, so it is a low-caffeine option rather than a caffeine-free one.
Converting these figures
One 1 cup (8 fl oz) of hot chocolate is 179 kcal, which is 747 kJ. To convert any other figure, divide kilojoules by 4.184 for calories, or use the converter on the home page.
It takes 332 g of hot chocolate 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 13 drinks in one table →
Source: USDA FoodData Central, FNDDS 11512005. Values are averages; individual samples vary with variety, growing conditions, and preparation.