Use the reference table for a quick lookup or enter any amount in the converter. Values are estimates based on about 717 calories per 100g of butter; the number on your package is the best source for a specific brand.
For more portion-aware calorie comparisons, see How Many Calories Are in Grapes? Per Grape, Per Cup, Per 100g.
In this article
Butter serving and calorie converter
Enter the butter amount you used and choose a unit. The converter shows its estimated weight, calories and tablespoons instantly.
Convert a butter serving
Estimate uses 7.17 calories per gram. Package labels and butter types can vary slightly.
Butter calories by serving size
This consolidated table covers the serving terms most recipes, restaurant menus and calorie trackers use.
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Total Fat | Saturated Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pat / chip (restaurant portion) | 5g | 36 kcal | 4g | 2.5g |
| 1 teaspoon | 4.7g (⅓ tbsp) | 34 kcal | 3.8g | 2.4g |
| 1 tablespoon | 14.2g | 102 kcal | 11.5g | 7.3g |
| 2 tablespoons | 28.4g | 204 kcal | 23g | 14.6g |
| ¼ stick (2 tbsp) | 28.4g | 204 kcal | 23g | 14.6g |
| ½ stick (4 tbsp) | 56.7g | 405 kcal | 45.5g | 28.9g |
| 1 US stick (8 tbsp) | 113.4g / 4 oz | 810 kcal | 92g | 58g |
| 100g | 100g | 717 kcal | 81g | 51g |
Butter macros — what's actually in it
Butter is essentially a concentrated dairy fat. Its macro profile is as simple as it gets: almost entirely fat, trace amounts of everything else.
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per 1 tbsp (14.2g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 717 kcal | 102 kcal |
| Total fat | 81.1g | 11.5g |
| — Saturated fat | 51.4g | 7.3g |
| — Monounsaturated fat | 21.0g | 3.0g |
| — Polyunsaturated fat | 3.0g | 0.4g |
| Protein | 0.6g | 0.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.1g | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 215mg | 31mg |
| Vitamin A | 684 µg (76% DV) | 97 µg (11% DV) |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 µg | 0.2 µg |
Butter has essentially zero carbohydrates, making it a staple in ketogenic diets. Its protein content is negligible — butter is churned from cream after most of the milk proteins and lactose have been separated off. What remains is fat, water (around 16–18%), and trace micronutrients, particularly vitamin A from the milk fat globules.
Salted vs unsalted butter — same calories, different sodium
One of the most common questions: is salted butter higher in calories than unsalted? The answer is no. The only meaningful difference between salted and unsalted butter is the sodium content.
| Type | Calories per tbsp | Fat per tbsp | Sodium per tbsp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 102 kcal | 11.5g | ~2mg |
| Salted butter | 102 kcal | 11.5g | ~90mg |
The salt added to salted butter is typically around 1.6–2% of total weight — enough to make a noticeable flavour difference but not enough to affect calorie count. For calorie tracking, use the same number regardless of which type you're using. If you're watching sodium intake, however, the difference adds up: using 3 tablespoons of salted butter in a recipe adds ~270mg of sodium from the butter alone.
Butter vs olive oil: which has more calories?
Olive oil has more calories by the tablespoon: about 119 calories versus 102 calories in butter. Olive oil is pure fat, while butter also contains water. The 17-calorie difference is small; the amount you pour or spread usually matters more.
| 1 tablespoon | Calories | Total fat | Saturated fat | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | ~102 | 11.5g | 7.3g | More saturated fat; dairy flavour |
| Olive oil | ~119 | 13.5g | 1.9g | Mostly monounsaturated fat; plant-based |
For heart health, the American Heart Association recommends choosing nontropical liquid plant oils, including olive oil, in place of solid fats such as butter more often. That guidance is about the type of fat, not because olive oil is lower in calories. For tracking, measure either one: a free-poured tablespoon of oil is just as easy to underestimate as butter.
Butter vs margarine: are the calories the same?
Regular stick margarine and butter are often close to 100 calories per tablespoon. Soft, whipped and light margarine spreads may contain fewer calories because they include more water. Margarine varies by product, so use its Nutrition Facts label rather than one generic entry.
| Per tablespoon | Typical calories | What to check | Best tracking method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | ~102 | Salted or unsalted; brand variation is small | Log grams or tablespoons |
| Stick margarine | Often ~100 | Saturated fat and partially hydrogenated oils | Use the package label |
| Soft or light spread | Varies widely | Serving size, water content and calories | Use the exact brand entry |
If you are choosing margarine for its fat profile, compare labels. Soft or liquid products made with nonhydrogenated vegetable oil generally contain less saturated fat than butter or hard stick margarine. “Margarine” is a broad category, so the label matters more than the name.
How many calories does butter add when cooking eggs?
One teaspoon of butter adds about 34 calories to fried or scrambled eggs. One tablespoon adds about 102 calories. Two large eggs are about 144 calories before any butter, milk, cheese or toppings are added.
| Two large eggs cooked with | Butter calories | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| No added butter | 0 | ~144 calories |
| 1 teaspoon butter (4.7g) | +34 | ~178 calories |
| 2 teaspoons butter (9.5g) | +68 | ~212 calories |
| 1 tablespoon butter (14.2g) | +102 | ~246 calories |
If you eat the whole scramble or wipe up the pan with toast, count all the butter you added. If a visible pool remains, the exact amount consumed is hard to know; logging the full amount is a simple, consistent estimate. See our egg calorie guide for boiled, fried, poached and scrambled eggs.
How to track butter accurately
Use a kitchen scale, not measuring spoons
A "tablespoon" of butter varies significantly depending on how firm the butter is and how you scoop it. Cold butter from the fridge in a tablespoon measure weighs about 14g. Soft, room-temperature butter mounded in a tablespoon can weigh 18–20g. That's a 40% calorie difference from the same spoon. Weighing on a scale takes 2 seconds and is far more accurate.
Account for butter left in the pan
Butter contains water that can evaporate during cooking, but its calories come mainly from the fat. If you eat everything from the pan, count all the butter you added. If a visible pool remains, there is no reliable way to estimate the exact amount without weighing it, so logging the full amount gives you a simple and consistent upper estimate.
Use the weight in grams, not tablespoons, in your app
Most calorie tracking apps let you enter the amount in grams rather than tablespoons. This is more accurate because the calorie database entries are based on exact weights. Search "butter" and select "100g serving," then type the actual grams you weighed. This avoids the tablespoon measurement ambiguity entirely.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a tablespoon of butter?
One tablespoon of butter (14.2g) contains approximately 102 calories, 11.5g of fat, 0.1g of protein and effectively zero carbohydrates.
How many calories are in a pat of butter?
A standard 5g pat of butter contains approximately 36 calories. Restaurant pats can vary in size, so check the weight when available.
How many calories are in a teaspoon of butter?
One teaspoon of butter weighs about 4.7g and contains approximately 34 calories. Three teaspoons equal one tablespoon, or about 102 calories.
How many calories are in a stick of butter?
One US stick of butter weighs about 113g, equals 8 tablespoons and contains approximately 810 calories.
How many calories are in 100g of butter?
One hundred grams of butter contains approximately 717 calories, 81g of total fat, 0.6g of protein and 0.1g of carbohydrates.
How many calories are in 10g of butter?
Ten grams of butter contains approximately 72 calories. It is about 2 teaspoons or a little under three-quarters of a tablespoon.
Does salted butter have more calories than unsalted butter?
No. Salted and unsalted butter both contain about 102 calories per tablespoon. Salted butter contains much more sodium, and the exact amount varies by brand.
Is butter worse than olive oil for calories?
Butter has fewer calories per tablespoon than olive oil: about 102 calories versus 119. Olive oil is mostly monounsaturated fat while butter is high in saturated fat.
Does butter or margarine have more calories?
Butter and regular stick margarine are often similar at around 100 calories per tablespoon. Soft, whipped and light margarine spreads may be lower, so check the product label.
How many calories does butter add to eggs?
Butter adds about 34 calories per teaspoon or 102 calories per tablespoon. Two large eggs cooked with one teaspoon of butter contain about 178 calories in total.
Does melted butter have more calories?
No. Melting butter does not create calories. The same weight has essentially the same calories before and after melting.
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