Calories in canned tuna (in oil, 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 oil, drained) contains 198 kcal, with 29.1 g of protein, 0 g of carbohydrate and 8.2 g of fat.
A typical serving — 1 can, about 120 g — is roughly 238 kcal.
That is a moderate calorie density, in the same range as cooked grains and lean meat.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | 1 can (120 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 198 kcal | 238 kcal |
| Protein | 29.1 g | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 8.2 g | 9.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.5 g | 1.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 18 mg | 22 mg |
| Sodium | 416 mg | 499 mg |
| Potassium | 207 mg | 248 mg |
| Calcium | 13 mg | 16 mg |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 1.7 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Water | 60 g | 72 g |
Calories per serving
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 can | 120 g | 238 | 35 g | 0 g | 9.9 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 | 50 | 7.3 g | 0 g | 2.1 g |
| 50 g | 99 | 14.6 g | 0 g | 4.1 g |
| 100 g | 198 | 29.1 g | 0 g | 8.2 g |
| 150 g | 297 | 43.7 g | 0 g | 12.3 g |
| 200 g | 396 | 58.3 g | 0 g | 16.4 g |
| 250 g | 495 | 72.8 g | 0 g | 20.5 g |
| 300 g | 594 | 87.4 g | 0 g | 24.6 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 oil, drained) the split is:
- Protein: 29.1 g × 4 = 117 kcal — 61% of calories
- Carbohydrates: 0 g × 4 = 0 kcal — 0% of calories
- Fat: 8.2 g × 9 = 74 kcal — 39% of calories
- Most of the energy in canned tuna (in oil, drained) comes from protein (61% of calories).
- With 29.1 g of protein per 100 g it counts as a high-protein food.
- That is 14.7 g of protein per 100 kcal — a useful number when protein is your target.
- For 200 kcal you can eat about 100 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) | 86 | 19.4 g | 0 g | 1 g |
| Canned tuna (in oil, drained)this page | 198 | 29.1 g | 0 g | 8.2 g |
What actually changes the number
The same tuna in oil is 198 kcal per 100 g drained — more than double the water-packed version, because the flesh holds onto oil even after draining. Both are fine foods; they are just not interchangeable in a log.
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? →
Related foods
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 100 g of canned tuna?
100 g of canned tuna (in oil, drained) contains 198 kcal (29.1 g protein, 0 g carbohydrate, 8.2 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 238 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 oil, drained): 29.1 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 198 kcal per 100 g, about 100 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 173708: "Fish, tuna, light, canned in oil, drained solids". 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.
