How many calories are in butter?

One tablespoon of butter has 102 calories. Per 100g, butter is 717 calories - one of the most calorie-dense foods. A pat (5g) has 36 calories. A whole stick (1/2 cup) has 810 calories.

Is butter good for weight loss?

Butter is very calorie-dense (717 cal/100g) and should be limited for weight loss. Even 1 tbsp adds 102 calories. Use sparingly for flavor or try butter spray (0-5 cal) as an alternative.

What nutrients are in butter?

Butter is mostly fat - 11.5g per tbsp, with 7.3g saturated fat, 3g monounsaturated and 0.4g polyunsaturated. Vitamin A is the one it supplies in real quantity, 684mcg RAE per 100g, alongside smaller amounts of D, E, and K. It has 31mg cholesterol per tbsp and virtually no protein or carbs.

Is butter keto-friendly?

Butter is perfect for keto with 0g carbs and high fat content. It's a keto staple for adding fat to meals. Use it for cooking, in coffee (bulletproof), or on vegetables.

Is butter healthier than margarine?

Modern margarine without trans fats may be heart-healthier due to lower saturated fat. Butter is more natural and has fat-soluble vitamins. Neither is a health food - both are calorie-dense.

How can I reduce butter calories?

Try butter spray (0-5 cal/spray), whipped butter (67 cal/tbsp - air adds volume), light butter (50 cal/tbsp), or use half the amount. Measuring is crucial - eyeballing often doubles actual portions.

Is butter bad for cholesterol?

Butter is high in saturated fat (7.3g/tbsp) and cholesterol (31mg/tbsp). Recent research is mixed - butter may not be as harmful as once thought, but it's not heart-healthy either. Use in moderation.

Butter vs olive oil: which is healthier?

Olive oil is healthier - it has unsaturated fats that support heart health, while butter has saturated fat. Calories are similar (119 vs 102/tbsp). Use olive oil for cooking, butter sparingly for flavor.

How long does butter last?

Butter lasts 1-2 months refrigerated, 6-9 months frozen. Salted butter lasts longer than unsalted. Keep it covered to prevent absorbing fridge odors. Butter can go rancid if left at room temperature.

How much butter is too much?

The AHA recommends limiting saturated fat to 13g daily. One tbsp butter has 7.3g - over half. One tablespoon per day is reasonable; more than that significantly increases saturated fat intake.

Does salted vs unsalted butter have different calories?

No, salted and unsalted butter have identical calories - about 102 per tablespoon. The only difference is sodium: salted butter has about 90mg per tablespoon vs nearly zero for unsalted.

How much butter is in a stick?

One stick of butter is 113g (4 oz or 1/2 cup) with 810 calories. A half-stick is 1/4 cup or 57g with 407 calories. A pat is about 5g with 36 calories.

What's the smoke point of butter?

Regular butter has a low smoke point of 350°F (177°C), making it unsuitable for high-heat cooking. For frying, use clarified butter or ghee (450°F) which has milk solids removed.

Is grass-fed butter healthier?

Grass-fed butter has similar calories but more omega-3s, vitamin K2, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than conventional butter. The nutritional difference is modest but may be worth it for some.

All Foods

Calories in Butter

USDA Verified · FDC 173430 · Aug 2026

102 calories

per 1 tablespoon (14.2g)

0.85g

Protein

0.1g

Carbs

81.1g

Fat

Fiber

Per 100g raw

Serving Sizes & Calories

Serving Size	Weight	Calories
1 pat (5g)	5g	36 cal
1 teaspoon	4.7g	34 cal
1 tablespoonStandard	14.2g	102 cal
100g	100g	717 cal
1/4 cup (1/2 stick)	57g	407 cal
1 stick (1/2 cup)	113g	810 cal
1 cup	227g	1628 cal