Calories in canned tuna (in water, drained)
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 canned tuna (in water, drained) contains 86 kcal, with 19.4 g of protein, 0 g of carbohydrate and 1 g of fat.
A typical serving — 1 can, about 120 g — is roughly 103 kcal.
That makes it a low-calorie food: you can eat a large portion for very little.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | 1 can (120 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 86 kcal | 103 kcal |
| Protein | 19.4 g | 23.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 1 g | 1.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.2 g | 0.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 36 mg | 43 mg |
| Sodium | 247 mg | 296 mg |
| Potassium | 179 mg | 215 mg |
| Calcium | 17 mg | 20 mg |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 2 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Water | 78 g | 94 g |
Calories per serving
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 can | 120 g | 103 | 23.3 g | 0 g | 1.2 g |
Photograph it instead of looking it up
Wellix identifies canned tuna 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 | 22 | 4.9 g | 0 g | 0.2 g |
| 50 g | 43 | 9.7 g | 0 g | 0.5 g |
| 100 g | 86 | 19.4 g | 0 g | 1 g |
| 150 g | 129 | 29.2 g | 0 g | 1.4 g |
| 200 g | 172 | 38.9 g | 0 g | 1.9 g |
| 250 g | 215 | 48.6 g | 0 g | 2.4 g |
| 300 g | 258 | 58.3 g | 0 g | 2.9 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 canned tuna (in water, drained) the split is:
- Protein: 19.4 g × 4 = 78 kcal — 90% of calories
- Carbohydrates: 0 g × 4 = 0 kcal — 0% of calories
- Fat: 1 g × 9 = 9 kcal — 10% of calories
- Most of the energy in canned tuna (in water, drained) comes from protein (90% of calories).
- With 19.4 g of protein per 100 g it counts as a high-protein food.
- That is 22.6 g of protein per 100 kcal — a useful number when protein is your target.
- For 200 kcal you can eat about 235 g.
Compare preparations
The same food, prepared differently. Cooking removes water (so calories per 100 g rise), adds fat (so they rise further), or both.
| Preparation | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canned tuna (in water, drained)this page | 86 | 19.4 g | 0 g | 1 g |
| Canned tuna (in oil, drained) | 198 | 29.1 g | 0 g | 8.2 g |
What actually changes the number
Tuna in water is one of the leanest proteins that exists: 86 kcal and 19 g protein per 100 g drained. A small drained can is about 100 kcal, and the mayonnaise you mix in can easily be more than the tuna.
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 canned tuna 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? →
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Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 100 g of canned tuna?
100 g of canned tuna (in water, drained) contains 86 kcal (19.4 g protein, 0 g carbohydrate, 1 g fat), according to USDA reference data.
How many calories are in a serving of canned tuna?
A typical serving of canned tuna — 1 can, about 120 g — has roughly 103 kcal. Weigh your own portion once to see how it compares; serving sizes vary more than the food does.
How much protein is in canned tuna?
Canned tuna (in water, drained): 19.4 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 canned tuna equals 200 kcal?
At 86 kcal per 100 g, about 235 g of canned tuna equals 200 kcal.
Can I track canned tuna by taking a photo?
Yes. A photo calorie app like Wellix identifies canned tuna 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 173709: "Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, drained solids (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)". 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 canned tuna on your plate, estimates the portion and logs calories, protein, carbs and fat in seconds. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
