Calories in soy sauce
Shoyu (soy and wheat). 53 kcal (222 kJ) per 100 g. Choose a portion below and every figure on the page updates.
Soy sauce, here the common Japanese-style shoyu brewed from soybeans and wheat, has 53 kcal (222 kJ) per 100 g, but it is used by the spoonful, so its energy contribution is negligible. What matters nutritionally is sodium: about 5,490 mg per 100 g, which makes it one of the saltiest condiments in the kitchen.
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 16 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 8 kcal | – |
| Energy | 35 kJ | – |
| Protein | 1.3 g | 3% |
| Total fat | 0.1 g | <1% |
| Saturated | 0.01 g | <1% |
| Monounsaturated | 0.01 g | – |
| Polyunsaturated | 0.04 g | – |
| Trans | 0 g | – |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 0.8 g | <1% |
| Sugars | 0.06 g | – |
| Fibre | 0.1 g | <1% |
| Water | 11.4 g | – |
| Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin K | 0 µg | 0% |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.005 mg | <1% |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.026 mg | 2% |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.4 mg | 2% |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.048 mg | <1% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.024 mg | 1% |
| Folate | 2.2 µg | <1% |
| Choline | 2.9 mg | <1% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 5.3 mg | <1% |
| Iron | 0.2 mg | 1% |
| Magnesium | 11.8 mg | 3% |
| Phosphorus | 26.6 mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 69.6 mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 878.9 mg | 38% |
| Zinc | 0.139 mg | 1% |
| Copper | 0.007 mg | <1% |
| Manganese | 0.2 mg | 7% |
| Selenium | 0.08 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 | 16 | 8 | 35 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 |
| 1 tsp | 5.3 | 3 | 12 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0 |
| 1 packet | 8.9 | 5 | 20 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
Things worth knowing
- One tablespoon (16 g) has about 8 kcal (35 kJ) but roughly 880 mg of sodium, close to 40% of the 2,300 mg Daily Value. A teaspoon has about 3 kcal and 290 mg.
- Reduced-sodium shoyu has about 3,600 mg of sodium per 100 g, around a third less than regular, with similar energy (about 57 kcal per 100 g).
- Tamari has almost the same sodium as shoyu, about 5,590 mg per 100 g. It is traditionally made with little or no wheat, so check the label if you avoid gluten.
- A small takeaway packet (8.9 g) has about 5 kcal (20 kJ) and close to 490 mg of sodium.
Converting these figures
One 1 tbsp of soy sauce is 8 kcal, which is 35 kJ. To convert any other figure, divide kilojoules by 4.184 for calories, or use the converter on the home page.
It takes 451 g of soy sauce 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 9 condiments in one table →
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy 16123. Values are averages; individual samples vary with variety, growing conditions, and preparation.