Discover How Many Calories Are In Your Favourite McDonalds Meal

A burger that's been pressed with a burger press
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Wondering how many calories are in your favourite McDonalds meal? It's something I've always wondered too but never looked into until now.

Before we get to counting McDonalds calories let me say this...

I am slightly ashamed to admit this, because I consider myself a "foodie", but I have a guilty pleasure for McDonalds and I'm guessing you do too or you wouldn't be Googling this, right?

And I know why we both love it...

Because it brings back happy memories of going to McDonalds for a treat as a kid and spending happy time with our parents most likely. 

And it's an indulgent treat to enjoy once in a while plus it's relatively inexpensive too which makes it even more tempting.

But of course we all know that fast food isn't usually healthy for us so it's worth keeping track of the calories in your favourite McDonalds meal.

So let's count the calorie content of the most common McDonalds meals and menu items...


How Many Calories In McDonald’s Fries?

I probably love McDonalds fries more than anything else they serve, it's the crispy outer coating from the way they are deep fried, the fluffy potato inside and the salty good-ness of them that works for me.

Now let's look at the calorie count and other nutritional information taken directly from the McDonalds official website...

McDonalds Small Fries Calories

  • Calories: 220 Calories.
  • Total Fat: 10 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 29 grams.
  • Protein: 3 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams.
  • Sodium: 180mg.

The Small Fry Mcdonalds calories count therefore comes in at 220.

McDonalds Large Fries Calories

  • Calories: 490 Calories.
  • Total Fat: 23 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 66 grams.
  • Protein: 7 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 3 grams.
  • Sodium: 400mg.

The Large Fry Mcdonalds calories count therefore comes in at 490.

McDonalds Medium Size Fries Calories

  • Calories: 320 Calories.
  • Total Fat: 15 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 42 grams.
  • Protein: 5 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 2 grams.
  • Sodium: 260mg.

The Medium Fry Mcdonalds calories count therefore comes in at 320.

McDonalds Kids Size Fries Calories

  • Calories: 110 Calories.
  • Total Fat: 5 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 15 grams.
  • Protein: 2 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams
  • Sodium: 90mg.

The Kids Fry Mcdonalds calories count therefore comes in at 110.

So as you can see there's anywhere between 110 calories in a McDonalds Kid portion of fries right up to 490 calories in their Large size fries according to their official website. 

How Many Calories In McDonalds Burgers?

Probably my second favourite McDonalds item after their fries is the classic grilled Cheeseburger which I've loved since a kid.

The only difference being now that I no longer order it "plain" like I did as a child because back then I didn't enjoy the tomato sauce and the gherkin only the bread roll and the meat which seems odd now.

But how many calories are in a McDonald's cheeseburger or double cheeseburger? And how many calories in a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder?

Let's count the calories by using information directly from McDonalds official menu on their website...

McDonalds Cheeseburger Calories

  • Calories: 300 Calories.
  • Total Fat: 13 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 32 grams.
  • Protein: 15 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 6 grams.
  • Sodium: 720mg.

McDonalds Double Cheeseburger Calories

  • Calories: 450 calories.
  • Total Fat: 24 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 34 grams.
  • Protein: 25 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 11 grams. 
  • Sodium: 1120mg.

McDonalds Quarter Pounder With Cheese Calories

  • Calories: 520 calories.
  • Total Fat: 26 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 42 grams.
  • Protein: 30 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 12 grams.
  • Sodium: 1140mg.

McDonalds Big Mac Calories

  • Calories: 550 calories.
  • Total Fat: 30 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 45 grams.
  • Protein: 25 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 11 grams.
  • Sodium: 1010mg.

So the calorie count of the burgers ranges from 300 with the standard cheeseburger to 550 calories with the Big Mac.

Do you love the Cheeseburgers as much as me or are you more of a bacon cheeseburger type of person? I also love this next item...

How Many Calories In McChicken Nuggets Or A McChicken Sandwich?

Are you more of a chicken fan than the burgers?

Another guilty pleasure of mines, is their McChicken Nuggets (which I buy too many of and re-heat in the microwave later) with dip!

What about McDonalds McChicken Nuggets calories? And what's the calorie count in McChicken Sandwiches?

Let's find out again from McDonalds official website...

Calories In 4 Chicken McNuggets Set

  • Calories: 170 calories.
  • Total Fat: 10 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 10 grams.
  • Protein: 9 grams. 
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams.
  • Sodium: 330mg.

Calories In 6 Chicken McNuggets

  • Calories: 250 calories.
  • Total Fat: 15 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 15 grams.
  • Protein: 14 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams.
  • Sodium: 500mg.

Calories In 10 Chicken McNuggets

  • Calories: 420 calories.
  • Total Fat: 25 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 25 grams.
  • Protein: 23 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 4 grams.
  • Sodium: 840mg.

Calories In 20 Chicken McNuggets

  • Calories: 830 Calories.
  • Total Fat: 49 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 51 grams.
  • Protein: 46 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 8 grams.
  • Sodium: 1670mg.

Calories In 40 Chicken McNuggets

  • Calories: 1660 calories.
  • Total Fat: 99 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 102 grams.
  • Protein: 93 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 16 grams.
  • Sodium: 3350mg.

So that should hopefully give you a good insight into the calories in McDonald's McChicken Sandwiches and McChicken Nuggets, it ranges from 170 calories for 4 nuggets to 1660 calories for the 40 pack (which I didn't even know they sold!) which realistically would feed 4 to 6 people.

Calories In McDonalds Breakfast

Love a McDonalds breakfast and wondering how many calories are in one?

Let's count the calories from some of McDonalds most popular breakfast foods, again direct from McDonalds official website...

McDonalds Big Breakfast Calories

  • Calories: 760 calories.
  • Total Fat: 48 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 57 grams.
  • Protein: 26 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 18 grams.
  • Sodium: 1530mg.

Sausage And Egg McMuffin Calories

  • Calories: 480 calories.
  • Total Fat: 31 grams.
  • Total Carbs: 30 grams.
  • Protein: 20 grams.
  • Saturated Fat: 12 grams.
  • Sodium: 830mg.

Hopefully knowing the calorie count of your favourite McDonalds breakfast items helps you decide whether to order one next time.

Low Calorie Alternatives At McDonalds

Can you find lower calorie meals or items at McDonalds?

According to VeryWellFit yes there are lower calorie items available at McDonalds, here's what they recommend...

  • Lowest Calorie Breakfast Option: Fruit & Yogurt Parfait (180 Calories).
  • Lowest Calorie Burger Option: Plain Hamburger without Cheese (250 Calories).
  • Lowest Calorie Chicken Option: 4 Nuggets (170 Calories).
  • Lowest Calorie Salad Option: Side Salad without dressing (15 Calories).
  • Lowest Calorie Sides Option: Apple Slices (15 Calories).
  • Lowest Calorie Drinks Option: Kids Vanilla Cone (45 Calories).

Concluding The McDonalds Calorie Count Conundrum

So you've found out the calorie content of everything from McDonalds Fries to McChicken Nuggets to Cheeseburgers & Big Macs and beyond.

I hope this helps you make informed decisions about whether to purchase that next McDonald meal or item knowing exactly how many calories will be in your food.

If counting calories is really serious for your health or you want to be absolutely sure of your intake then I recommend you double check both the Menu on McDonalds official website in your country (items can be different from country to country) and / or a reliable 3rd party source such as FitBit or VeryWellFit.

Enjoy!