How Many Calories Are in Butter?
One tablespoon of butter has about 102 calories. See calories per tablespoon, per teaspoon, per pat and per 100g, plus a full macros and fat table.
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Quick answer
One tablespoon of butter (about 14 g) has roughly 102 calories. Per 100 g, butter has about 717 calories. Butter is nearly pure fat, so it is very calorie-dense, with almost no carbs or protein.
How Many Calories Are in Butter?
Butter is one of the most calorie-dense foods you will use in everyday cooking. One tablespoon (about 14 g) has roughly 102 calories, and 100 g of butter contains about 717 calories. The reason is simple: butter is approximately 81% fat, and fat supplies 9 calories per gram — more than double the 4 calories per gram in carbohydrates or protein. The rest of butter is mostly water with a little milk solids, so there are virtually no carbs or protein.
Calories by serving size
| Serving | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | ~5 g | ~34 cal |
| 1 pat (1 inch square) | ~5 g | ~36 cal |
| 1 tablespoon | ~14 g | ~102 cal |
| 1 ounce | ~28 g | ~203 cal |
| Half stick (4 tbsp) | ~57 g | ~405 cal |
| 1 stick (8 tbsp) | ~113 g | ~810 cal |
| Per 100 g | 100 g | ~717 cal |
| 1 cup | ~227 g | ~1,628 cal |
Macronutrients in butter
The table shows the approximate nutrition in 1 tablespoon (14 g) of salted butter. Nearly all the calories come from fat, much of it saturated.
| Nutrient | Amount (per 1 tbsp) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~102 cal | — |
| Total fat | ~11.5 g | ~15% DV |
| — Saturated fat | ~7.3 g | ~37% DV |
| — Trans fat | ~0.5 g | Naturally occurring |
| Carbohydrates | ~0 g | Trace |
| Protein | ~0.1 g | Trace |
| Cholesterol | ~31 mg | ~10% DV |
| Vitamin A | ~98 mcg | ~11% DV |
| Sodium (salted) | ~91 mg | Varies |
Why butter is so high in calories
All of butter’s energy comes from fat, the most calorie-dense macronutrient. While 100 g of a watery vegetable like celery has about 14 calories, 100 g of butter has roughly 717 — about 50 times more. This does not make butter “bad,” but it means small amounts add up fast. A couple of tablespoons used to cook eggs or finish a sauce can easily add 200 calories to a dish.
Lower-calorie butter alternatives
If you want the buttery experience with fewer calories, several options reduce the fat per serving:
| Type | Calories per tbsp | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular butter | ~102 cal | ~81% fat |
| Whipped butter | ~60–70 cal | Air beaten in |
| Light/reduced-fat butter | ~50–60 cal | Water added |
| Margarine (regular) | ~100 cal | Plant-oil based |
| Olive/vegetable oil | ~120 cal | ~100% fat |
Note that by volume, oils are actually higher in calories than butter because they contain no water or milk solids.
Tips for using butter mindfully
- Measure with a teaspoon or tablespoon instead of eyeballing
- Use whipped or light butter as a spread to cut calories
- Try cooking sprays for a near-zero-calorie coating
- Reach for flavorful extras (herbs, spices, citrus) to use less
- Remember a “pat” is about 36 calories — handy for portioning
In short, one tablespoon of butter has about 102 calories and 100 g has about 717, so butter is best enjoyed in measured amounts when you are watching your calorie intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a tablespoon of butter?
One tablespoon of butter (about 14 grams) has roughly 102 calories. Almost all of those calories come from fat — about 11.5 grams per tablespoon, including roughly 7 grams of saturated fat. Because butter is nearly pure fat, it is one of the more calorie-dense foods in the kitchen.
How many calories are in 100g of butter?
Per 100 grams, butter has about 717 calories. That is because butter is roughly 81% fat, 16% water, and contains only trace amounts of carbohydrate and protein. Fat provides 9 calories per gram (more than double carbs or protein), which is why butter is so high in calories by weight.
How many calories are in a stick of butter?
A standard US stick of butter weighs about 113 grams (4 ounces, or 8 tablespoons) and contains about 810 calories. A half stick (4 tablespoons) has roughly 405 calories. Because a full stick is so calorie-dense, recipes usually spread it across many servings.
Does whipped or light butter have fewer calories?
Yes. Whipped butter has air beaten into it, so a tablespoon contains less actual butter and around 60–70 calories. Light or reduced-fat butter spreads add water and sometimes other ingredients, cutting calories to roughly 50–60 per tablespoon. They spread easily but may not perform the same as regular butter in baking.
Is butter or oil higher in calories?
By the same volume, oil is higher in calories than butter. A tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil has about 120 calories and is essentially 100% fat, while a tablespoon of butter has about 102 calories because butter contains some water and milk solids. By weight, pure oils are also more calorie-dense than butter.
Sources
- FoodData Central — food composition database — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)