Calories in sesame seeds
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 sesame seeds contains 573 kcal, with 17.7 g of protein, 23.5 g of carbohydrate and 49.7 g of fat.
A typical serving — 1 tablespoon, about 9 g — is roughly 52 kcal.
That is a very calorie-dense food: small amounts carry a lot of energy, and it is easy to under-count.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | 1 tablespoon (9 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 573 kcal | 52 kcal |
| Protein | 17.7 g | 1.6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 23.5 g | 2.1 g |
| Sugars | 0.3 g | 0 g |
| Fibre | 11.8 g | 1.1 g |
| Fat | 49.7 g | 4.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 7 g | 0.6 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 11 mg | 1 mg |
| Potassium | 468 mg | 42 mg |
| Calcium | 975 mg | 88 mg |
| Iron | 14.6 mg | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Water | 5 g | 0 g |
Calories per serving
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 9 g | 52 | 1.6 g | 2.1 g | 4.5 g |
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies sesame seeds 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 | 143 | 4.4 g | 5.9 g | 12.4 g |
| 50 g | 287 | 8.9 g | 11.7 g | 24.8 g |
| 100 g | 573 | 17.7 g | 23.5 g | 49.7 g |
| 150 g | 860 | 26.6 g | 35.2 g | 74.5 g |
| 200 g | 1,146 | 35.5 g | 46.9 g | 99.3 g |
| 250 g | 1,433 | 44.3 g | 58.6 g | 124.2 g |
| 300 g | 1,719 | 53.2 g | 70.4 g | 149 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 sesame seeds the split is:
- Protein: 17.7 g × 4 = 71 kcal — 12% of calories
- Carbohydrates: 23.5 g × 4 = 94 kcal — 15% of calories
- Fat: 49.7 g × 9 = 447 kcal — 73% of calories
- Most of the energy in sesame seeds comes from fat (73% of calories).
- With 17.7 g of protein per 100 g it counts as a high-protein food.
- That is 3.1 g of protein per 100 kcal — a useful number when protein is your target.
- It provides 11.8 g of fibre per 100 g, which is a good amount.
- For 200 kcal you can eat about 35 g.
What actually changes the number
Sesame seeds are 573 kcal per 100 g, and a tablespoon is 50 kcal. Tahini, their paste, is the same density and the main calorie source in hummus.
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 sesame seeds 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 Beans, nuts and seeds →
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 100 g of sesame seeds?
100 g of sesame seeds contains 573 kcal (17.7 g protein, 23.5 g carbohydrate, 49.7 g fat), according to USDA reference data.
How many calories are in a serving of sesame seeds?
A typical serving of sesame seeds — 1 tablespoon, about 9 g — has roughly 52 kcal. Weigh your own portion once to see how it compares; serving sizes vary more than the food does.
How much protein is in sesame seeds?
Sesame seeds: 17.7 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 sesame seeds equals 200 kcal?
At 573 kcal per 100 g, about 35 g of sesame seeds equals 200 kcal.
Can I track sesame seeds by taking a photo?
Yes. A photo calorie app like Wellix identifies sesame seeds 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 170150: "Seeds, sesame seeds, whole, dried". 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 sesame seeds on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
