Calories in a Pear: Small, Medium, Large and Per Cup

Pears are juicy, sweet and soft when they’re perfectly ripe. They’re great on their own, in salads, with cheese or baked into desserts. But if you’re watching your calories, how many does a pear really have?

The short answer: a medium pear (178 g) has about 101 calories, and 100 g of pear has about 57 calories. A medium pear also has 5.5 g of fiber – one of the highest amounts of any common fruit. Pears have a low glycemic index of about 38.

Calories in pears by size

Values are for raw pears with the skin, from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA FoodData Central):

Portion	Weight	Calories
1 slice	20 g	11 kcal
1 small pear	148 g	84 kcal
1 medium pear	178 g	101 kcal
1 large pear	230 g	131 kcal
1 cup slices	140 g	80 kcal
1 cup cubes	161 g	92 kcal
100 g	100 g	57 kcal

Tip: a medium pear has about as many calories as a medium apple or a medium banana – but more fiber than either.

Pear nutrition facts

Nutrient	Per 100 g	Per medium pear (178 g)
Calories	57 kcal	101 kcal
Carbohydrates	15.2 g	27.1 g
– of which sugars	9.8 g	17.4 g
Fiber	3.1 g	5.5 g
Protein	0.4 g	0.6 g
Fat	0.1 g	0.3 g
Vitamin C	4.3 mg	7.7 mg
Vitamin K	4.4 µg	7.8 µg
Potassium	116 mg	206 mg

Pears shine for fiber: a medium pear gives you about 20% of the fiber you need in a day. A lot of it is in the skin, so wash the pear and eat it whole. Pears also contain sorbitol, a natural sugar that helps keep you regular. They have fewer vitamins than kiwi or oranges, but their skin is rich in antioxidants.

Calories in canned pears, juice and desserts

Food	Portion	Calories
Canned pears in juice	1 cup (248 g)	about 125 kcal
Canned pears in heavy syrup	1 cup (266 g)	about 195 kcal
Pear juice / nectar	1 cup (8 fl oz)	about 120⁠–⁠150 kcal
Pear + 1 oz brie or blue cheese	1 pear + cheese	about 195⁠–⁠200 kcal
Pear + 1 tbsp peanut butter	1 pear + spread	about 195 kcal
Poached pear in red wine syrup	1 pear	about 200⁠–⁠250 kcal
Pear tart	1 slice	about 300⁠–⁠350 kcal

Canned pears in heavy syrup have added sugar – choose “in juice” or drain the syrup. Pear juice has little fiber and isn’t filling. A poached pear or pear tart is a dessert, not a fruit serving.

Are pears good for weight loss?

Yes. Pears are low in calories, very high in fiber and sweet enough to replace a dessert. The fiber and water help you feel full for longer.

How to make the most of them:

• Eat them raw, with the skin, to get all the fiber.
• Pair them with protein or healthy fat: cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, a few nuts or a little cheese.
• Choose canned pears in juice, not syrup.
• Keep desserts like poached pears and tarts for special occasions.

Remember that you lose weight only when you eat fewer calories than you burn. Read more about the calorie deficit and find your number with our calorie calculator.

Pears and blood sugar

Pears have a low glycemic index of about 38, thanks to their fiber. A pear raises blood sugar slowly, so it’s a good fruit for people with diabetes, ideally with some protein. See our list of low glycemic fruits. On a keto diet, though, a whole pear (about 22 g of net carbs) takes too much of your daily carbs.

Count the calories in your fruit 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, in kiwi and in a peach.

The bottom line

A medium pear has about 101 calories, a small one about 84 and 100 g about 57. Pears are one of the most fiber-rich fruits, with a low glycemic index and natural sorbitol that helps digestion. They’re great for weight loss – eat them raw with the skin, and go easy on syrup, juice and desserts.