Calories in cocoa powder (unsweetened)
Calories, protein, carbohydrate and fat per 100 g and per serving, from the USDA reference database — plus what actually changes the number on your plate.
Short answer
100 g of cocoa powder (unsweetened) contains 228 kcal, with 19.6 g of protein, 57.9 g of carbohydrate and 13.7 g of fat.
A typical serving — 1 tablespoon, about 5 g — is roughly 11 kcal.
That is a moderate calorie density, in the same range as cooked grains and lean meat.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | 1 tablespoon (5 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 228 kcal | 11 kcal |
| Protein | 19.6 g | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 57.9 g | 2.9 g |
| Sugars | 1.8 g | 0.1 g |
| Fibre | 37 g | 1.9 g |
| Fat | 13.7 g | 0.7 g |
| Saturated fat | 8.1 g | 0.4 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 21 mg | 1 mg |
| Potassium | 1,524 mg | 76 mg |
| Calcium | 128 mg | 6 mg |
| Iron | 13.9 mg | 0.7 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Water | 3 g | 0 g |
| Caffeine | 230 mg | 12 mg |
Calories per serving
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 5 g | 11 | 1 g | 2.9 g | 0.7 g |
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies cocoa powder on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
Calories by weight
Use this table when you know the weight but not the serving:
| Amount | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 g | 57 | 4.9 g | 14.5 g | 3.4 g |
| 50 g | 114 | 9.8 g | 29 g | 6.9 g |
| 100 g | 228 | 19.6 g | 57.9 g | 13.7 g |
| 150 g | 342 | 29.4 g | 86.9 g | 20.6 g |
| 200 g | 456 | 39.2 g | 115.8 g | 27.4 g |
| 250 g | 570 | 49 g | 144.8 g | 34.3 g |
| 300 g | 684 | 58.8 g | 173.7 g | 41.1 g |
Where the calories come from
Calories come from three macronutrients: protein and carbohydrate at 4 kcal per gram, fat at 9 kcal per gram. For cocoa powder (unsweetened) the split is:
- Protein: 19.6 g × 4 = 78 kcal — 18% of calories
- Carbohydrates: 57.9 g × 4 = 232 kcal — 53% of calories
- Fat: 13.7 g × 9 = 123 kcal — 28% of calories
- Most of the energy in cocoa powder (unsweetened) comes from carbohydrate (53% of calories).
- With 19.6 g of protein per 100 g it counts as a high-protein food.
- That is 8.6 g of protein per 100 kcal — a useful number when protein is your target.
- It provides 37 g of fibre per 100 g, which is a good amount.
- For 200 kcal you can eat about 90 g.
What actually changes the number
Unsweetened cocoa is 228 kcal per 100 g but a tablespoon is 5 g and 12 kcal — a cheap way to make oats or yogurt taste of chocolate. Hot chocolate mixes are mostly sugar.
How accurate are these numbers?
The values on this page are reference averages from the USDA FoodData Central database (SR Legacy release), measured on samples of cocoa powder as sold and prepared in the United States. Your portion will differ: produce varies by variety and ripeness, meat by cut and trim, and anything cooked by the fat and water it gained or lost.
For most foods the per-100 g figure is reliable to within about 10%. The larger uncertainty is almost always the weight of what is on your plate and the cooking fat you cannot see — the two things worth checking before you worry about the database.
How accurate are AI calorie counting apps? →
Related foods
More in Sweets, snacks and bakery →
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 100 g of cocoa powder?
100 g of cocoa powder (unsweetened) contains 228 kcal (19.6 g protein, 57.9 g carbohydrate, 13.7 g fat), according to USDA reference data.
How many calories are in a serving of cocoa powder?
A typical serving of cocoa powder — 1 tablespoon, about 5 g — has roughly 11 kcal. Weigh your own portion once to see how it compares; serving sizes vary more than the food does.
How much protein is in cocoa powder?
Cocoa powder (unsweetened): 19.6 g of protein per 100 g, which is high. Foods above about 15–20 g per 100 g, or where protein supplies a third or more of the calories, are usually considered high-protein.
What amount of cocoa powder equals 200 kcal?
At 228 kcal per 100 g, about 90 g of cocoa powder equals 200 kcal.
Can I track cocoa powder by taking a photo?
Yes. A photo calorie app like Wellix identifies cocoa powder on the plate and estimates the portion from the image. The estimate is most accurate when you confirm the weight or the count, and tell the app about anything the camera cannot see — cooking oil, butter, dressings and sauces.
Source
Nutrition data: U.S. Department of Agriculture, FoodData Central — SR Legacy, FDC ID 169593: "Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened". Values are per 100 g of edible portion. Serving weights are USDA household measures or typical retail sizes; check the label where one exists. View the USDA record.
Wellix provides general nutrition information and is not medical advice. Nutrition values are reference averages and individual foods vary. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies cocoa powder on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
