Calories in Carrots: Per Carrot, Cup and Baby Carrots
How many calories are in a carrot – small, medium, large, baby carrots, per cup and per 100 g, raw or cooked – plus carbs, sugar, vitamin A and carrot juice.
Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables in the world. They’re sweet, crunchy and easy to snack on. But since they taste sweet, some people wonder if carrots have a lot of sugar and calories.
The short answer: a medium carrot has about 25 calories, and a cup of chopped carrots has about 52 calories. Baby carrots have 3–4 calories each. Carrots have only 4.7 g of sugar per 100 g, plus fiber, and one medium carrot gives you more than half of the vitamin A you need in a day.
Calories in carrots by portion
Values are for raw carrots, from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA FoodData Central):
| Portion | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 baby carrot | 10 g | 4 kcal |
| 8 baby carrots (snack bag) | 85 g | 30 kcal |
| 1 small carrot | 50 g | 21 kcal |
| 1 medium carrot | 61 g | 25 kcal |
| 1 large carrot | 72 g | 30 kcal |
| 1 cup grated | 110 g | 45 kcal |
| 1 cup chopped | 128 g | 52 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 41 kcal |
Cooked carrots have about 35 calories per 100 g, so a cup of cooked carrot slices (156 g) has about 55 calories. Cooking doesn’t add calories – only butter, oil or sugar do.
Carrot nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per medium carrot (61 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 41 kcal | 25 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 9.6 g | 5.8 g |
| – of which sugars | 4.7 g | 2.9 g |
| Fiber | 2.8 g | 1.7 g |
| Protein | 0.9 g | 0.6 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g | 0.1 g |
| Vitamin A | 835 µg | 509 µg |
| Vitamin K | 13 µg | 8 µg |
| Potassium | 320 mg | 195 mg |
Carrots are famous for beta-carotene, the orange pigment your body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps your eyes see in dim light, and keeps your skin and immune system healthy. A medium carrot gives you about 57% of the vitamin A you need in a day.
Calories in carrot dishes and drinks
| Food | Portion | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot sticks + 2 tbsp hummus | 1 cup + 2 tbsp | about 120 kcal |
| Roasted carrots with olive oil | 1 cup | about 100–120 kcal |
| Glazed carrots (butter and brown sugar) | ½ cup | about 90–120 kcal |
| Carrot juice | 1 cup (8 fl oz) | about 95 kcal |
| Carrot soup | 1 cup | about 100–150 kcal |
| Carrot salad with raisins and mayo | ½ cup | about 150–200 kcal |
| Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting | 1 slice | about 400–500 kcal |
Carrot juice has almost four times the calories of a medium carrot and none of the crunch, so it fills you up much less. Carrot cake is a dessert: the carrots are a small part, and most calories come from sugar, oil and frosting.
Are carrots good for weight loss?
Yes. Carrots are low in calories and high in fiber and water. They take time to chew, which helps you feel full. A bag of baby carrots is one of the easiest low-calorie snacks you can take to work or school.
What makes the difference:
- Raw sticks with a dip: choose hummus, tzatziki or a yogurt dip, and measure it.
- Roasted: use a teaspoon of oil, not a big pour.
- Glazed or in salads with mayo: the sugar, butter and mayo add more calories than the carrots.
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 snacks.
Carrots and blood sugar
Even though carrots taste sweet, they have a low glycemic load. A medium carrot has less than 3 g of sugar and also has fiber. That’s why carrots are fine for people with diabetes. On a keto diet, a few carrot sticks fit, but a whole cup (about 9 g of net carbs) takes a big part of your daily carbs.
How to eat more carrots
- Keep baby carrots in the fridge for quick snacks.
- Grate carrots into salads, wraps and oatmeal for sweetness and color.
- Roast them with spices like cumin or paprika and just a little oil.
- Add a bit of fat – a little olive oil or a few nuts helps your body absorb the beta-carotene.
- Eat whole carrots instead of juice – you get the fiber and feel fuller.
Count the calories in your carrots 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 and in a potato, or see our list of low calorie foods.
The bottom line
A medium carrot has about 25 calories, a cup of chopped carrots about 52 and baby carrots 3–4 each. Carrots are low in sugar, rich in fiber and an excellent source of vitamin A. Eat them raw or cooked – both are healthy – and watch the butter, sugar, mayo and dips you add.
FAQ
How many calories are in one carrot?
A medium raw carrot (61 g) has about 25 calories. A small one (50 g) has about 21 calories, and a large one (72 g) about 30.
How many calories are in baby carrots?
About 3–4 calories each. A typical snack bag of 85 g (about 8 baby carrots) has about 30 calories.
How many calories are in a cup of carrots?
A cup of chopped raw carrots (128 g) has about 52 calories. A cup of grated carrots (110 g) has about 45, and a cup of cooked carrot slices (156 g) about 55.
Do carrots have a lot of sugar?
No. 100 g of raw carrots has about 4.7 g of natural sugar – a medium carrot has less than 3 g. Carrots also have fiber, which slows down how fast the sugar enters your blood.
Are carrots good for weight loss?
Yes. They're low in calories, crunchy and filling thanks to their fiber and water. They're a great swap for chips or crackers, especially with hummus or a yogurt dip.
Are cooked carrots less healthy than raw?
Not really. Cooking softens the fiber and helps your body absorb more beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A. Raw carrots keep a bit more vitamin C. Both are good choices.
