How Many Calories Are in Corn?
One medium ear of corn has about 90 calories. See calories per ear, per cup and per 100g, plus a macros table for sweet corn on and off the cob.
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Quick answer
One medium ear of sweet corn (about 90 g of kernels) has roughly 90 calories. Per 100 g, sweet corn has about 96 calories, and one cup of kernels has about 130 calories. Corn is higher in carbs than most vegetables but still low in fat.
How Many Calories Are in Corn?
A medium ear of sweet corn (yielding about 90 g of kernels) has roughly 90 calories, and 100 g of sweet corn comes in around 96 calories. Corn is a starchy crop — technically a whole grain — so it carries more carbohydrate and calories than watery vegetables like tomatoes or celery. Even so, it is naturally low in fat, offers fiber and protein, and supplies useful nutrients including B vitamins, magnesium, and the eye-friendly antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.
Calories by serving size
| Serving | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small ear | ~73 g | ~63 cal |
| Medium ear | ~90 g | ~90 cal |
| Large ear | ~118 g | ~120 cal |
| 1/2 cup kernels | ~82 g | ~78 cal |
| 1 cup kernels | ~145 g | ~130 cal |
| Per 100 g | 100 g | ~96 cal |
Macronutrients in corn
The table shows the approximate nutrition in 100 g of cooked sweet corn kernels. Carbohydrate is the dominant macronutrient, with a respectable amount of fiber and protein for a vegetable.
| Nutrient | Amount (per 100 g) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~96 cal | — |
| Carbohydrates | ~21 g | Main energy source |
| — Fiber | ~2.4 g | ~9% DV |
| — Sugars | ~4.5 g | Natural sweetness |
| Protein | ~3.4 g | Moderate for a veg |
| Fat | ~1.5 g | Low |
| Magnesium | ~26 mg | ~6% DV |
| Folate (B9) | ~42 mcg | ~11% DV |
| Vitamin C | ~6 mg | ~7% DV |
Is corn a vegetable, grain or starch?
Corn sits in an unusual spot. Botanically it is a fruit, nutritionally it is a whole grain, and in the kitchen it is treated as a starchy vegetable. Because it is higher in carbs and calories than non-starchy vegetables, dietitians often count it toward your grain or starch servings rather than your unlimited “free” vegetables. That said, whole corn (with its fiber, protein and nutrients intact) is a wholesome food and far better than refined corn products.
Calories in different corn forms
| Form | Approx. calories per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Sweet corn (boiled, plain) | ~96 cal |
| Canned corn (drained) | ~80–90 cal |
| Creamed corn | ~72 cal (but added sugar/fat) |
| Frozen corn | ~80 cal |
| Popcorn (air-popped) | ~387 cal |
| Corn chips | ~500+ cal |
Note how processing changes things: air-popped popcorn is light per cup despite a high per-100 g figure, while fried corn chips become very calorie-dense.
Watch the toppings
Plain corn is reasonably light, but classic toppings add up fast:
| Serving | Approx. calories |
|---|---|
| Ear of corn (plain) | ~90 cal |
| + 1 tbsp butter | ~190 cal |
| + 1 tbsp mayo (elote-style) | ~180 cal |
| + cheese & seasoning | ~250+ cal |
Tips for keeping corn light
- Enjoy it plain or with herbs and lime instead of butter
- Use a light spray of oil rather than a pat of butter
- Add kernels to salads and salsas for sweetness and crunch
- Choose air-popped popcorn over fried corn snacks
- Drain and rinse canned corn to remove added liquid
In short, a medium ear of corn has about 90 calories and 100 g has about 96, making corn a wholesome, fiber-rich starchy vegetable — just be mindful of butter and other toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in an ear of corn?
One medium ear of sweet corn (about 6.75 inches long, yielding roughly 90 grams of kernels) has about 90 calories. A small ear has around 60 calories and a large ear about 120 calories. Most of corn's calories come from carbohydrates, with a modest amount of fiber and protein and very little fat.
How many calories are in 100g of corn?
Per 100 grams, sweet corn has about 96 calories. That serving provides roughly 21 g of carbohydrates (including about 2.4 g of fiber and 4.5 g of natural sugar), about 3.4 g of protein, and around 1.5 g of fat. Corn also supplies B vitamins, magnesium and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin.
How many calories are in a cup of corn?
One cup of sweet corn kernels (about 145–165 g) has roughly 130–155 calories, depending on whether it is fresh, frozen or canned. Canned corn drained of liquid is similar to fresh. Creamed corn or corn cooked with butter and sugar will have noticeably more calories.
Is corn a vegetable or a starch?
Corn is technically a whole grain (and botanically a fruit), but in cooking it is treated as a starchy vegetable. It is higher in carbohydrates and calories than non-starchy vegetables like broccoli or celery, which is why dietitians often count it toward your starch or grain servings rather than your free vegetables.
Does butter on corn add a lot of calories?
Yes. Plain corn on the cob is about 90 calories, but adding 1 tablespoon of butter adds roughly 100 calories, nearly doubling the total to about 190 calories. Salt is calorie-free, but butter, mayonnaise, cheese or sugary glazes can significantly increase the calories in a serving of corn.
Sources
- FoodData Central — food composition database — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)