Calories in a Banana
How many calories are in a banana? A medium banana has about 105 calories. See a full banana calorie and macros table by size, plus carbs and sugar.
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Quick answer
A medium banana (about 118 grams) contains roughly 105 calories. A small banana has about 90 calories and a large banana about 121, with nearly all calories coming from natural carbohydrates.
How Many Calories Are in a Banana?
A medium banana contains about 105 calories. Bananas are sold loose and vary a lot in size, so the calorie count tracks closely with weight: roughly 89 calories per 100 grams of edible fruit. A small banana lands near 90 calories, while a large one can reach about 121.
Almost all of a banana’s calories come from carbohydrates — a mix of starch and natural sugars. There is essentially no fat and only about 1.3 grams of protein, which is why bananas are a classic quick-energy snack for athletes and a staple in smoothies.
Banana Calories by Size
| Banana size | Length | Weight | Calories | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra small | under 6 in | ~81 g | ~72 | 19 |
| Small | 6–7 in | ~101 g | ~90 | 23 |
| Medium | 7–8 in | ~118 g | ~105 | 27 |
| Large | 8–9 in | ~136 g | ~121 | 31 |
| Extra large | 9+ in | ~152 g | ~135 | 35 |
These figures are for raw, ripe bananas without the peel. Dried banana chips are far more calorie-dense — often over 500 calories per 100 grams — because the water has been removed and they are usually fried in oil.
Does Ripeness Change Banana Calories?
The total calorie count of a banana stays nearly the same from green to brown, but the makeup of its carbs shifts. In green, underripe bananas, much of the carbohydrate is resistant starch, which acts like fiber and is digested slowly. As the banana ripens, that starch converts to simple sugars, so a spotty-brown banana tastes much sweeter and raises blood sugar a bit faster — even though it carries roughly the same calories as it did when green.
Macros and Nutrition in Bananas
A medium banana provides about 27 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 14 grams of natural sugar and 1.3 grams of protein, with virtually no fat. Bananas are best known for potassium, supplying around 422 mg per medium fruit, which supports healthy blood pressure and muscle function. They also deliver vitamin B6, vitamin C and small amounts of magnesium and the antioxidant dopamine, which here acts as an antioxidant rather than affecting mood.
Do Bananas Fit a Healthy Diet?
Bananas are a convenient, portable whole food that fits most diets well. Their fiber and potassium are genuine nutritional pluses, and they pair perfectly with protein sources like yogurt, nut butter or eggs to make a more balanced snack. The main consideration is sugar content for anyone managing blood glucose, where a smaller or less-ripe banana, paired with protein or fat, is the smarter choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a medium banana?
A medium banana (about 118 grams, or 7 to 8 inches long) contains roughly 105 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrates and over 1 gram of protein. This is the most commonly cited banana serving size.
How many calories are in a small banana?
A small banana (about 100 grams, under 6 inches) contains roughly 90 calories. The shorter and slimmer the banana, the fewer calories it holds, since banana calories scale almost directly with weight.
How many carbs and how much sugar are in a banana?
A medium banana has about 27 grams of carbohydrates, including roughly 14 grams of natural sugar and 3 grams of fiber. The riper the banana, the more of its starch has converted to sugar.
Are bananas good for weight loss?
Bananas can fit a weight-loss diet because they are fat-free, filling and rich in fiber and potassium. At about 105 calories each, they are a reasonable snack, though they are higher in sugar than berries or melon.
How many calories are in a banana with peanut butter?
A medium banana with one tablespoon of peanut butter contains about 200 calories — roughly 105 from the banana and 95 from the peanut butter. It is a popular pre-workout snack pairing carbs with protein and fat.
Sources
- FoodData Central — food composition database — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)