Calories in Every Cooking Oil and Fat, Per Tablespoon (2026)

Most cooking oils contain about 120 calories per tablespoon, with total fat around 14 g. Solid fats like butter and margarine vary slightly, averaging 100-110 calories.

This article details the calorie counts and fat content of various cooking oils and animal fats per tablespoon. Data is sourced from USDA FoodData Central and manufacturer labels.

How Many Calories Are in Cooking Oils?

Cooking oils are primarily composed of fat, making them calorie-dense. Most cooking oils contain about 120 calories per tablespoon.

Oil (1 tbsp / ~14 g)	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Saturated Fat (g)
Olive Oil	120	14	2
Extra Virgin Olive Oil	120	14	2
Canola Oil	120	14	1
Vegetable Oil	120	14	1
Sunflower Oil	120	14	1
Coconut Oil	120	14	12
Avocado Oil	120	14	2
Sesame Oil	120	14	2
Peanut Oil	120	14	2
Flaxseed Oil	120	14	1

All oils listed are approximately equal in calories, differing mainly in their fat composition.

How Many Calories Are in Solid and Animal Fats?

Solid and animal fats also provide a high calorie count, although some may be slightly lower than oils. Most solid fats average between 100 to 110 calories per tablespoon.

Fat (1 tbsp / ~14 g)	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Saturated Fat (g)
Butter	100	11	7
Ghee	120	14	9
Margarine	100	11	2
Lard	115	13	5
Beef Tallow	115	13	6
Mayonnaise	100	11	1

Margarine and mayonnaise are lower in calories compared to traditional solid fats like butter.

Which Spread Has the Fewest Calories?

The lowest-calorie spreads are typically those that are mixed or contain water.

1. Margarine (serving): 100 kcal
2. Mayonnaise (serving): 100 kcal
3. Butter (serving): 100 kcal
4. Lard (serving): 115 kcal
5. Beef Tallow (serving): 115 kcal

Which Oil or Fat Has the Most Calories?

Most cooking oils are similar in calorie content, but some solid fats can vary slightly.

1. Ghee (serving): 120 kcal
2. Olive Oil (serving): 120 kcal
3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (serving): 120 kcal
4. Canola Oil (serving): 120 kcal
5. Coconut Oil (serving): 120 kcal

How to Track Cooking Oils and Fats Calories Accurately

Estimating calories in oils and fats can be tricky due to their high density and the small serving sizes typically used in cooking. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies cooking oils, butter, and fats from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million verified foods. It also supports barcode scanning for packaged items and voice logging for quick entries. Nutrola is available from €2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

For related references, see protein per 100 calories ranked, calories in every breakfast cereal, and calories in beer, wine, and spirits by brand.

How We Calculated These Numbers

Data was gathered from USDA FoodData Central and manufacturer labels. Serving sizes are standardized to one tablespoon, and values are rounded to the nearest whole number for clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many calories are in a tablespoon of olive oil?

A tablespoon of olive oil contains about 120 calories, primarily from fat.

What is the calorie count for butter?

Butter has approximately 100 calories per tablespoon, with a significant portion coming from saturated fat.

Is coconut oil higher in calories than other oils?

Coconut oil also contains about 120 calories per tablespoon, similar to most cooking oils.

How does mayonnaise compare in calories to butter?

Mayonnaise typically has around 100 calories per tablespoon, making it slightly lower than butter.

What is the calorie content of ghee?

Ghee contains about 120 calories per tablespoon, similar to other oils.

How many calories are in a teaspoon of oil?

One teaspoon of oil contains approximately 40 calories, one-third of a tablespoon.

Key Takeaways

• Most cooking oils contain about 120 calories per tablespoon.
• Solid fats like butter and margarine have slightly fewer calories.
• Total fat content in oils is around 14 g per tablespoon.
• Saturated fat varies significantly among different oils and fats.
• Margarine and mayonnaise are lower-calorie options.
• Estimating calories in oils can be challenging due to their density.