Calories in a Tomato: Small, Medium, Large and Cherry
How many calories are in a tomato – small, medium, large, cherry and per 100 g – plus carbs, vitamin C, lycopene, ketchup, sauces and tomato soup.
Tomatoes are in salads, sandwiches, sauces, soups and pizza. Botanically they’re a fruit, but we eat them like a vegetable. If you’re counting calories, the good news is that fresh tomatoes have very few – but the dishes made with them can be a different story.
The short answer: a medium tomato has about 22 calories, a large one about 33, and a cherry tomato about 3. 100 g of tomato has only 18 calories. Tomatoes are 95% water and rich in vitamin C and lycopene, the red pigment that gives them their color.
Calories in tomatoes by size
Values are for raw red tomatoes, from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA FoodData Central):
| Portion | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cherry tomato | 17 g | 3 kcal |
| 1 slice | 20 g | 4 kcal |
| 1 Roma (plum) tomato | 62 g | 11 kcal |
| 1 small tomato | 91 g | 16 kcal |
| 1 medium tomato | 123 g | 22 kcal |
| 1 large tomato | 182 g | 33 kcal |
| 1 cup cherry tomatoes | 149 g | 27 kcal |
| 1 cup chopped | 180 g | 32 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 18 kcal |
Tip: a big tomato salad with two large tomatoes has only about 65 calories – before the dressing. A tablespoon of olive oil adds about 120.
Tomato nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per medium tomato (123 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 18 kcal | 22 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 3.9 g | 4.8 g |
| – of which sugars | 2.6 g | 3.2 g |
| Fiber | 1.2 g | 1.5 g |
| Protein | 0.9 g | 1.1 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g | 0.2 g |
| Water | 94.5 g | 116 g |
| Vitamin C | 13.7 mg | 17 mg |
| Potassium | 237 mg | 292 mg |
Tomatoes are one of the best sources of lycopene, a red plant pigment that works as an antioxidant. Studies link diets rich in tomatoes with better heart health. Your body absorbs more lycopene from cooked tomatoes, especially with a little fat like olive oil.
Calories in tomato products and dishes
| Food | Portion | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato juice | 1 cup (8 fl oz) | about 40 kcal |
| Tomato paste | 1 tbsp (16 g) | about 13 kcal |
| Ketchup | 1 tbsp (17 g) | about 17–20 kcal |
| Canned tomato sauce, plain | ½ cup | about 30–40 kcal |
| Marinara sauce (jar) | ½ cup | about 60–100 kcal |
| Sun-dried tomatoes in oil | ¼ cup (28 g) | about 60 kcal |
| Tomato soup, cream style | 1 cup | about 150–200 kcal |
| Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella, olive oil) | 1 plate | about 300–400 kcal |
Ketchup and many jarred pasta sauces have added sugar – a tablespoon of ketchup has about 4 g. Cream of tomato soup adds cream and sometimes sugar. Plain canned tomatoes and tomato paste have almost the same calories as fresh tomatoes.
Are tomatoes good for weight loss?
Yes. Tomatoes are low in calories, full of water and add lots of flavor. They make salads, eggs, sandwiches and wraps bigger and juicier without adding calories.
Where the calories come from:
- Olive oil and dressings on tomato salads.
- Mozzarella and other cheese in caprese and on pizza.
- Sugar in ketchup and some sauces – check the label.
- Cream in tomato soups and pasta sauces.
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. For more ideas, see our list of low calorie foods.
Tomatoes on keto and for blood sugar
A medium tomato has only about 3.3 g of net carbs, so tomatoes fit into a keto diet in normal amounts. They have a low glycemic index of about 15 and barely raise blood sugar. Just watch ketchup and sweet sauces.
How to eat tomatoes
- Add slices to sandwiches, burgers and wraps for flavor without calories.
- Make a quick salad with tomato, cucumber, onion, vinegar and a teaspoon of olive oil.
- Cook a simple sauce from canned tomatoes, garlic and herbs instead of buying sweet jarred sauce.
- Snack on cherry tomatoes – a whole cup has less than 30 calories.
- Keep tomatoes out of the fridge until they’re ripe – they taste better.
Count the calories in your tomato salad 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.Get the app free
You can also read how many calories are in cucumber, in avocado and in an onion.
The bottom line
A medium tomato has about 22 calories, a large one about 33 and a cherry tomato about 3. Tomatoes are 95% water, low in carbs and rich in vitamin C and lycopene. They’re great for weight loss and keto – just watch the olive oil, cheese, cream and sugary sauces that often come with them.
FAQ
How many calories are in one tomato?
A medium tomato (123 g) has about 22 calories. A small one (91 g) has about 16, and a large one (182 g) about 33.
How many calories are in cherry tomatoes?
About 3 calories each. A cup of cherry tomatoes (149 g, about 9 tomatoes) has about 27 calories.
How many calories are in 100 g of tomatoes?
About 18 calories. 100 g of raw tomato has 3.9 g of carbs, 2.6 g of sugar, 1.2 g of fiber, 0.9 g of protein and 14 mg of vitamin C.
Are tomatoes good for weight loss?
Yes. They're 95% water, very low in calories and add flavor to salads, sandwiches and eggs. A whole cup of chopped tomatoes has only about 32 calories.
Can you eat tomatoes on keto?
Yes, in normal amounts. A medium tomato has about 3.3 g of net carbs. Watch ketchup and many tomato sauces, which often have added sugar.
Are cooked tomatoes healthier than raw?
In one way, yes. Cooking tomatoes, especially with a little olive oil, helps your body absorb more lycopene, a red plant pigment. Raw tomatoes keep more vitamin C. Both are healthy.
