How Many Calories in a Banana? (Small, Medium, Large + Full Nutrition)
FoodIdentifier.com📸 Eating one now? Scan any food free — one photo gives you the calories, protein, sugar and more in seconds. Try the free AI food scanner: https://foodidentifier.com
How many calories in a banana? A medium banana (118 g, about 7 inches) has 105 calories. By size: a small banana has about 90 calories, a large one about 121, and an extra-large about 135. Per 100 g, banana flesh is 89 calories. That medium banana also gives you 27 g carbs, 14 g natural sugar, 3.1 g fiber, 1.3 g protein, 0.4 g fat and 422 mg potassium (USDA figures). One thing most pages get wrong: ripeness does not change the calorie count. A green banana and a brown-spotted banana of the same weight have the same calories — ripening only converts starch to sugar, which changes the sweetness and the glycemic impact, not the energy.
🔬 Nutrition Facts — Per 1 Medium Banana (118g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · 2026
🥗 Key Ingredients & Nutrients at a Glance
📊 Quick Facts
- •Small banana (101g): ~90 calories | 23g carbs | 2.6g fiber
- •Medium banana (118g): 105 calories | 27g carbs | 3.1g fiber ← most common
- •Large banana (136g): ~121 calories | 31g carbs | 3.5g fiber
- •Glycemic Index: Ripe = 51–62 (medium) | Unripe = 30–40 (low)
- •Potassium: 422mg per medium banana (9% Daily Value)
- •Keto? ❌ No — ~24g net carbs exceeds most daily keto limits
- •Diabetic-friendly? ✅ In moderation — choose small, green bananas
- •Best time to eat: Pre-workout (45–60 min before) for quick energy
- •Paired with: 🥜 Peanut butter for blood sugar stability + protein boost
🚨 Top Problems — Solved
Calories in a Banana (Small, Medium, Large)
Banana calories depend almost entirely on size. A small banana (101g) has about 90 calories, a medium banana (118g) has 105 calories, and a large banana (136g) has about 121 calories. Ripeness changes the sugar composition (starch converts to sugar as a banana ripens) but barely changes the total calories, so a green and a yellow banana of the same size are close in calories.
Protein in a Banana
A medium banana (118g) contains about 1.3g of protein. Bananas are a carbohydrate source, not a meaningful protein source. If you need more protein, pair the banana with Greek yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, or a protein shake — this also slows digestion and steadies blood sugar.
Carbs in a Banana
A medium banana has about 27g of total carbohydrates. Subtract the 3.1g of fiber and you get roughly 24g of net carbs. That is moderate for most diets but too high for strict keto (which usually caps at 20–50g net carbs per day). On a low-carb plan, half a small banana (~10–12g net carbs) can fit occasionally.
Fiber in a Banana
A medium banana provides about 3.1g of dietary fiber (pectin and resistant starch in less-ripe bananas). Fiber slows sugar absorption, supports fullness, and helps digestion and regularity. A large banana (136g) has about 3.5g of fiber.
Sugar in a Banana
A medium banana contains about 14.4g of natural sugar — mainly fructose, glucose, and sucrose. This is naturally occurring sugar packaged with fiber, which slows absorption compared with refined sugar. As a banana ripens, starch converts to sugar and the taste sweetens, but the total sugar by weight stays similar.
Banana Macros
Per medium banana (118g): 105 calories, 1.3g protein, 27g carbs, 0.4g fat, 3.1g fiber, and 14.4g sugar. Bananas are almost fat-free and protein-low, so they work best as a carb-energy fruit paired with a protein or fat source for balance.
Banana Nutrition Facts
Full nutrition facts for one medium banana (118g), based on USDA FoodData Central values:
| Nutrient | Per Medium Banana (118g) | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 105 kcal | — |
| Protein | 1.3 g | 3% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27 g | 10% |
| • Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% |
| • Total Sugars | 14.4 g | — |
| Total Fat | 0.4 g | 1% |
| Potassium | 422 mg | 9% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4 mg | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 10.3 mg | 11% |
| Manganese | 0.3 mg | 14% |
| Magnesium | 32 mg | 8% |
| Folate | 24 mcg | 6% |
🍌 Banana Calories by Size — Complete Chart
| Size | Weight | Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 101g (6 in) | 90 | 23g | 12g | 2.6g | 1.1g |
| Medium ★ | 118g (7 in) | 105 | 27g | 14.4g | 3.1g | 1.3g |
| Large | 136g (8 in) | 121 | 31g | 17g | 3.5g | 1.5g |
| Extra Large | 152g (9 in) | 135 | 35g | 19g | 3.9g | 1.7g |
| Sliced (1 cup) | 150g | 134 | 34g | 18g | 3.9g | 1.6g |
| Mashed (1 cup) | 225g | 200 | 51g | 27g | 5.8g | 2.4g |
🍌 vs Other Fruits — Calorie Comparison
| Fruit | Serving | Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🍌 Banana | 1 medium | 105 | 27g | 14g | 3.1g |
| 🍎 Apple | 1 medium | 95 | 25g | 19g | 4.4g |
| 🍊 Orange | 1 medium | 62 | 15g | 12g | 3.1g |
| 🍇 Grapes | 1 cup | 104 | 27g | 23g | 1.4g |
| 🍓 Strawberries | 1 cup | 49 | 12g | 7g | 3g |
| 🫐 Blueberries | 1 cup | 84 | 21g | 15g | 3.6g |
| 🍉 Watermelon | 2 cups | 85 | 21g | 17g | 1.1g |
| 🥭 Mango | 1 cup | 99 | 25g | 23g | 2.6g |
Calories by Ripeness
As a banana ripens, resistant starch converts into simple sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose). This makes a ripe banana taste sweeter and digest faster, but the total calories barely change — a green and a fully ripe banana of the same size are within a few calories of each other. What does shift is the glycemic response: green bananas have a lower GI (around 30–40) because resistant starch digests slowly, while ripe, spotted bananas climb to a medium GI of 51–62. If you are watching blood sugar, a slightly green banana is the gentler choice.
| Ripeness | Starch → Sugar | Calories (medium) | Glycemic Index | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | High starch, low sugar | ~105 | 30–40 (low) | Blood sugar control, prebiotic fiber |
| Yellow (ripe) | Starch → sugar converting | ~105 | 51 (medium) | Everyday eating, pre-workout fuel |
| Spotted / very ripe | Mostly sugar, little starch | ~105 | 58–62 (medium) | Quick energy, baking, smoothies |
Banana vs Related Foods
Banana relatives can look similar but vary widely in calories. Plantains are starchier and typically eaten cooked. Dried banana and banana chips concentrate the sugar by removing water, so a small serving packs far more calories than fresh. Banana bread adds oil, sugar, and flour, pushing a single slice past 190 calories.
| Food | Serving | Calories | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🍌 Fresh banana | 1 medium (118g) | 105 | 27g | 3.1g |
| 🫓 Plantain (raw) | 1 medium (200g) | 244 | 64g | 4.6g |
| 🥨 Banana chips | 1 oz (28g) | 147 | 16g | 1.8g |
| 🍌 Dried banana | 1 oz (28g) | 90 | 22g | 2.6g |
| 🍞 Banana bread | 1 slice (60g) | 196 | 33g | 1.2g |
Bananas for Weight Loss
Bananas are not a weight-loss miracle food, and they are not a weight-gain food either. At about 105 calories per medium banana with 3.1g of fiber, they offer reasonable satiety for the calories. The fiber and resistant starch (especially in less-ripe bananas) slow digestion, which can help you feel full between meals. Where bananas can backfire is in smoothies — blending multiple bananas with milk, nut butter, and sweeteners can push a single drink past 500 calories. For weight loss, stick to one medium banana at a time, pair it with a protein source (Greek yogurt, eggs, or a scoop of protein powder), and count it toward your daily calorie total like any other food.
Bananas and Blood Sugar
A ripe medium banana has a glycemic index of about 51–62 (medium) and a glycemic load of roughly 12, making it a moderate-GI fruit. Less-ripe bananas sit lower on the GI scale (30–40) because their resistant starch digests more slowly. If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or are monitoring glucose for any reason, a few practical steps help: choose smaller or slightly green bananas, eat half at a time, and pair the banana with protein or fat (such as peanut butter or a handful of almonds) to flatten the glucose curve. This is not medical advice — talk to your doctor. Your individual blood sugar response depends on many factors, including medication, activity level, and what else you eat in the meal.
Scan Any Banana or Meal — Get Calories in Seconds
Snap a photo of any food and get instant calories, macros, and nutrition facts. No app download. No sign-up.
Keep tracking your nutrition
Scan any meal or fruit to get instant calories and macros, and build a simple daily habit streak to stay consistent.
Ask Lana
The questions everyone asks
Real answers, like a friend would give them — warm, honest, and always with your next tiny step.
Educational only — not medical advice. Talk to your doctor.
Get Your 30-Day AI Weight Loss Meal Plan Bundle
Pre-calculated calorie targets, high-protein options, grocery lists, and banana-friendly meal ideas — all in one PDF bundle.
Get Meal Plan Bundle — $19.99 →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
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (27)
Click any question to expand the expert answer
🔗 Core Tools
📊 Popular Content Hubs
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.