How Many Calories in a Banana? Small, Medium & Large
How many calories are in a small, medium or large banana and per 100 g, its carbs, sugar, fiber and potassium, and whether bananas are good for weight loss.
Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world: sweet, filling and easy to take anywhere. If you’re counting calories, though, you might wonder how many calories a banana has – and whether it’s too sweet when you’re trying to lose weight.
The short answer: a medium banana (about 118 g without the peel) has about 105 calories, and 100 g of banana has 89 calories. Bananas are rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin B6, keep you full and aren’t fattening when they replace higher-calorie snacks. The only ones to watch are dried bananas and banana chips, which have 4–6 times more calories.
Calories in a banana by size
Values are for banana without the peel, from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA FoodData Central):
| Size (length with peel) | Weight without peel | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Extra small (under 6 in) | 81 g | 72 kcal |
| Small (6–7 in) | 101 g | 90 kcal |
| Medium (7–8 in) | 118 g | 105 kcal |
| Large (8–9 in) | 136 g | 121 kcal |
| Extra large (over 9 in) | 152 g | 135 kcal |
Tip: the peel is about a third of a banana’s weight. If you weigh it with the peel, subtract about 35% to get the part you actually eat.
Banana nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per medium banana (118 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 89 kcal | 105 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 22.8 g | 27 g |
| – of which sugars | 12.2 g | 14.4 g |
| Fiber | 2.6 g | 3.1 g |
| Protein | 1.1 g | 1.3 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g | 0.4 g |
| Potassium | 358 mg | 422 mg |
| Magnesium | 27 mg | 32 mg |
| Vitamin C | 8.7 mg | 10 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.37 mg | 0.43 mg |
Almost all the calories in a banana come from carbohydrates. Bananas have very little fat or protein, but they’re a good source of potassium – important for the heart, muscles and blood pressure – and vitamin B6. Several foods have even more potassium, though – see our list of foods high in potassium. Read more about high fiber foods.
Calories in dried bananas, banana chips and other forms
| Food (100 g) | Calories |
|---|---|
| Fresh banana | 89 kcal |
| Dried banana | about 346 kcal |
| Banana chips (fried) | about 519 kcal |
Banana chips are usually fried in oil and often sweetened, so 100 g has as many calories as 5–6 fresh bananas. A handful of chips can have more calories than two whole bananas.
Some popular combinations:
- Banana + 1 tablespoon peanut butter (16 g): about 200 calories
- Banana + plain Greek yogurt (150 g): about 200–250 calories, depending on the fat in the yogurt
- Smoothie with a banana and a cup of milk (250 ml): about 220–260 calories
Are bananas fattening?
No. You gain weight only when you eat more calories than you burn – no matter where they come from. A banana has about 100 calories and fiber, and it fills you up more than a cookie or a candy bar with the same calories.
The problem is only if you eat lots of bananas on top of your usual meals, or choose dried bananas and banana chips. If you want to lose weight, read about the calorie deficit and find your number with our calorie calculator.
Green or ripe banana?
The calories are almost the same, but the carbs change as the banana ripens:
- Green bananas have lots of resistant starch – a type of starch that’s digested slowly, feeds good gut bacteria and acts like fiber. They’re less sweet and raise blood sugar more slowly.
- Ripe bananas (with brown spots) have more sugar, taste sweeter and are easier to digest.
Bananas have a medium glycemic index of about 51, so they raise blood sugar moderately. If you have diabetes or want steadier blood sugar, choose bananas that aren’t overripe and pair them with protein or healthy fat. Read more about low glycemic fruits.
How to eat bananas when you’re losing weight
- Eat one as a snack instead of sweets – it satisfies a sweet craving for about 100 calories.
- Pair it with protein: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese or a glass of milk keep you full longer.
- Slice it into oatmeal instead of adding sugar.
- Skip banana chips and limit dried bananas.
- One or two a day is plenty – leave room for other fruits and vegetables.
Count the calories in your banana without guesswork. With NutriSmart, you snap a photo of what you eat, and the app counts your calories, protein, carbs and fat and shows how much you have left for the day. In the food library, you can also see the glycemic index of each food.Get the app free
You can also read how many calories are in an apple, strawberries, avocado, dates and an egg, and see our list of high protein snacks.
The bottom line
A medium banana has about 105 calories, and 100 g of banana has 89 calories. It’s a filling snack with fiber, potassium and vitamin B6, and it isn’t fattening when it replaces higher-calorie snacks. Just watch out for dried bananas and banana chips, which have several times more calories.
FAQ
How many calories are in a banana?
A medium banana (7–8 inches long, about 118 g without the peel) has about 105 calories. A small banana (101 g) has about 90 calories, and a large one (136 g) has about 121 calories.
How many calories are in 100 g of banana?
Banana has about 89 calories per 100 g, with 22.8 g of carbs (about 12 g of sugar), 2.6 g of fiber, 1.1 g of protein and 0.3 g of fat.
Are bananas fattening?
No. A banana has about 100 calories, plenty of fiber and keeps you full. You gain weight only when you eat more calories overall than you burn. Dried bananas and banana chips, however, have 350–520 calories per 100 g.
Are bananas good for weight loss?
Yes, as a snack instead of cookies, candy or chips. A banana fills you up more than a snack bar with the same calories. Pair it with protein, like Greek yogurt or peanut butter, to stay full longer.
Do green bananas have fewer calories?
About the same, but more of their carbs are resistant starch, which is digested slowly and acts like fiber. As a banana ripens, the starch turns into sugar, so ripe bananas taste sweeter and raise blood sugar a little faster.
Can people with diabetes eat bananas?
Usually yes, in moderation. Bananas have a medium glycemic index of about 51. Choose bananas that aren't overripe, eat one at a time and pair them with protein or healthy fat. Ask your doctor or dietitian what fits your plan.
