How Many Carbs in a Banana? (By Size, Net Carbs, Glycemic Impact)

✅ USDA Verified Data🔬 Clinically Referenced📋 Educational Only📅 2026-04-23

FoodIdentifier.com

✅Direct Answer — AI & Voice Search Optimized

A medium banana (118g) contains 27g total carbs, 3g fiber, and 24g net carbs. It has 14g natural sugar and a glycemic index of 51 (medium). Bananas are NOT keto-friendly — their 24g net carbs exceed the full daily keto budget. For diabetics, a small banana with protein is acceptable in moderation.

🔬 Nutrition Facts — Per 1 Medium Banana (118g)

Source: USDA FoodData Central · 2026

105

Calories (kcal)

Protein1.3g

Carbohydrates27g

Fat0.4g

Fiber3.1g

Sugar14g

Sodium1mg

🥗 Key Ingredients & Nutrients at a Glance

🍚27gTotal Carbs

🍚24gNet Carbs

🌾3.1gFiber

🍬14gSugar

🔥105 kcalCalories

🍽️51 (medium)GI Score

🍽️422mgPotassium

🍽️❌ Too highKeto?

📊 Quick Facts

•🍞 Medium banana total carbs: 27g
•🍞 Medium banana net carbs: 24g (after 3g fiber)
•🍞 Sugar: 14g natural (glucose, fructose, sucrose)
•🔥 Calories: 105 per medium banana
•⭐ Glycemic index: 51 — medium (doesn't spike blood sugar sharply)
•❌ Keto: Not compatible — 24g net carbs exceeds daily limit
•✅ Best for: Pre-workout energy, athletes, general healthy eating

🚨 Top Problems — Solved

❌ Problem

You're diabetic and afraid of banana carbs

✅ Solution

Choose a small, slightly green banana (20g net carbs vs 24g). Pair with 2 tbsp peanut butter — fat slows glucose absorption. Monitor blood sugar 1–2 hrs post-meal. GI drops from 51 (ripe) to ~30 (unripe) based on ripeness.

❌ Problem

You're on keto and missing bananas (24g net carbs = full day's budget)

✅ Solution

Banana is incompatible with keto. Best keto substitutes for banana flavor: ½ avocado (2g net carbs) + vanilla extract in smoothies, or frozen strawberries (8g net carbs/cup). For banana-flavored baking: banana extract (0g carbs).

❌ Problem

Your banana smoothie has way more carbs than you expected

✅ Solution

1 banana smoothie (banana + 1 cup OJ + honey) = 70–80g carbs, 300+ calories. Substitute: ½ banana + 1 cup unsweetened almond milk + protein powder = 27g carbs, 200 cal, 25g protein. Much better macros.

❌ Problem

You avoid bananas thinking they're too sugary and fattening

✅ Solution

A medium banana = 14g natural sugar (not added sugar) packaged with 3g fiber and 422mg potassium. Studies consistently show banana eaters weigh LESS than non-eaters. Eat pre-workout for optimal use of the fast carbs.

Carbs in Banana: By Size and Ripeness

Size	Weight	Total Carbs	Fiber	Net Carbs	Calories
Extra small	81g	19g	2g	17g	72 cal
Small	101g	23g	2.6g	20g	90 cal
Medium	118g	27g	3g	24g	105 cal
Large	136g	31g	3.5g	27.5g	121 cal
Extra large	152g	35g	4g	31g	135 cal

Values based on USDA nutrition data for fresh bananas.

📧

Get Free Weekly Nutrition Tips

Join 14,000+ users — get meal plans, calorie tips, and food scanner updates free.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

📸

Scan Any Food Instantly — Free

No sign-up. No app. Snap a photo → full nutrition in 3 seconds.

Try Free Food Scanner →

🔧 Free Health Tools

📸 AI Food Scanner 🔥 Calorie Calculator 💪 Macro Calculator 📉 Calorie Deficit ⚖️ BMI Calculator 💧 Water Intake 🩸 Blood Sugar Predictor 💉 Ozempic Checker 🧬 TDEE Calculator 📚 All Answers

📚 Popular Nutrition Guides

🥑 Best Foods for Weight Loss 🩸 Lower Blood Sugar Fast 💊 Ozempic Food List 2026 📅 7-Day Meal Plan 💪 High Protein Foods 🫙 Gut Health Guide

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (15)

Click any question to expand the expert answer

How many carbs in a banana?

−

A medium banana (118g) has 27g total carbs, 3g fiber, and 14g natural sugar. Net carbs: approximately 24g. Ripe bananas have more sugar than unripe — green bananas have more resistant starch which acts more like fiber.

How many carbs in a small banana?

−

Small banana (101g): 23g total carbs, 2.6g fiber, 12g sugar. Extra-large banana (152g): 35g total carbs, 4g fiber, 19g sugar. Banana size matters significantly for carb counting.

Are bananas high in carbs?

−

Relative to other fruits, bananas are moderate-to-high in carbs (23–35g depending on size). Compared to grains like bread (15g carbs/slice), a banana is about double. However, bananas provide fiber, potassium, and nutrients that refined carbs don't.

Can diabetics eat bananas?

Are bananas keto-friendly?

How many carbs in a frozen banana?

What type of sugar is in a banana?

How many carbs in a banana compared to an apple?

How many calories in a banana?

Is banana good before a workout?

How many carbs in banana chips?

How many net carbs in a banana on keto?

Does a banana spike blood sugar?

How many carbs in a banana smoothie?

What are the health benefits of bananas?

carbs in bananahow many carbs in a bananabanana net carbsbanana sugar contentbanana carbohydratesbanana ketobanana glycemic indexbanana for diabeticsbanana before workoutbanana vs apple carbs

📸

Scan Any Food Instantly — Free

No sign-up. No app. Snap a photo → get full nutrition in 3 seconds.

Try Free Food Scanner →

📋 Nutrition data based on USDA FoodData Central. Values may vary by brand, preparation method, and serving size. Not a substitute for professional medical or dietary advice. Always consult a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition guidance.