How Many Calories Are in a Tomato?
One medium tomato has about 22 calories. See calories per tomato, per cup and per 100g, plus a macros table for cherry, Roma and large tomatoes.
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Quick answer
One medium tomato (about 123 g) has roughly 22 calories. Per 100 g, raw tomato has about 18 calories. Tomatoes are low in calories, fat-free, and rich in vitamin C and the antioxidant lycopene.
How Many Calories Are in a Tomato?
A medium tomato (about 123 g) has roughly 22 calories, and 100 g of raw tomato comes in around 18 calories. Botanically a fruit but used as a vegetable in cooking, the tomato is about 95% water, which is why it is so low in calories. Beyond being light, it is a great source of vitamin C and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color and is linked to heart and cell health.
Calories by serving size
| Serving | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry tomato (1) | ~17 g | ~3 cal |
| Roma/plum tomato | ~62 g | ~11 cal |
| Small tomato | ~91 g | ~16 cal |
| Medium tomato | ~123 g | ~22 cal |
| Large tomato | ~182 g | ~33 cal |
| 1 cup, chopped | ~180 g | ~32 cal |
| Per 100 g | 100 g | ~18 cal |
Macronutrients in a tomato
The table shows the approximate nutrition in 100 g of raw tomato. Almost all of its few calories come from a small amount of natural sugar, balanced by fiber.
| Nutrient | Amount (per 100 g) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~18 cal | — |
| Water | ~95% | Why it’s so low-cal |
| Carbohydrates | ~3.9 g | Main energy source |
| — Fiber | ~1.2 g | ~4% DV |
| — Sugars | ~2.6 g | Natural |
| Protein | ~0.9 g | Small |
| Fat | ~0.2 g | Minimal |
| Vitamin C | ~14 mg | ~16% DV |
| Potassium | ~237 mg | ~5% DV |
| Lycopene | ~2,570 mcg | Antioxidant |
Why tomatoes are great for low-calorie eating
Tomatoes have an exceptionally low energy density, so they add juicy volume, flavor and bright color to meals for almost no calories. Their water and fiber help with fullness, and their vitamin C and antioxidants make them nutrient-rich. You can pile sliced tomato onto sandwiches and salads, roast them as a side, or simmer them into sauces — all while keeping calories low.
Calories in different tomato forms
How a tomato is processed changes its calorie density a lot, mainly because removing water concentrates the sugars (and sauces often add oil or sugar):
| Form | Approx. calories per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Raw tomato | ~18 cal |
| Canned, diced (in juice) | ~20 cal |
| Tomato sauce (plain) | ~30 cal |
| Sun-dried tomato | ~258 cal |
| Tomato paste | ~82 cal |
| Ketchup | ~100+ cal |
Cooked vs. raw
Plain cooked tomatoes are similar to raw, but cooking concentrates them as water evaporates, so they become more calorie-dense by weight. The upside is that cooking makes lycopene more bioavailable, so cooked tomato products can deliver more of this antioxidant. The biggest calorie increases come from added oil, sugar and salt in prepared sauces.
Easy low-calorie ways to enjoy tomatoes
- Slice onto sandwiches and salads
- Snack on cherry tomatoes (about 3 calories each)
- Roast plain as a juicy side
- Blend into fresh salsa or gazpacho
- Simmer into a light, oil-free tomato sauce
In short, a medium tomato has about 22 calories and 100 g has about 18, making the tomato one of the most versatile and diet-friendly foods in the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in one tomato?
One medium raw tomato (about 123 grams) has about 22 calories. A small tomato has around 16 calories and a large one about 33 calories. Tomatoes are low in calories because they are roughly 95% water, with only a small amount of natural sugar and fiber and no fat.
How many calories are in 100g of tomato?
Per 100 grams, raw tomato has about 18 calories. That serving provides roughly 3.9 g of carbohydrates (including about 1.2 g of fiber and 2.6 g of natural sugar), about 0.9 g of protein, and almost no fat. It also offers vitamin C, potassium and the antioxidant lycopene.
How many calories are in cherry tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes have about 3 calories each. A typical handful of around ten cherry tomatoes (about 150 g) has roughly 27 calories. They are sweeter and slightly more concentrated than large tomatoes but are still a very low-calorie, snack-friendly food.
Are tomatoes good for weight loss?
Yes. Tomatoes are very low in calories, high in water, and a good source of fiber and vitamins, so they add flavor, color and volume to meals without many calories. Their water and fiber help you feel full. They are an excellent low-calorie addition to salads, sandwiches, sauces and snacks.
Do cooked tomatoes have more calories than raw?
Plain cooked tomatoes have similar or slightly higher calories per 100 g than raw because cooking removes water and concentrates them — for example, tomato paste is far more calorie-dense than fresh tomato. Cooking also makes lycopene easier to absorb. Added oil, sugar or salt in sauces raises the calories the most.
Sources
- FoodData Central — food composition database — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)