Cheeseburger vs Hamburger: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)
Cheeseburgers and hamburgers differ in calories and nutrients.
The cheeseburger has 16.5 g of protein, while the hamburger has 13.7 g. The cheeseburger contains 308 calories, compared to the hamburger's 250 calories.
Cheeseburgers and hamburgers are popular fast food options, each with distinct nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help inform dietary choices.
What Is the Difference Between Cheeseburger and Hamburger?
A cheeseburger is a hamburger topped with cheese, often accompanied by various condiments and vegetables. It typically has a higher fat content due to the cheese. A hamburger consists of a cooked patty, usually made of beef, served in a bun. It may also include various toppings and condiments, but does not contain cheese.
Cheeseburger vs Hamburger: Nutrition Side by Side
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of cheeseburgers and hamburgers.
| Nutrient (per 100 g) | Cheeseburger (single patty) | Hamburger (single, plain) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 308 kcal | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 16.5 g | 13.7 g |
| Carbs | 28.0 g | 30 g |
| Sugar | 4.9 g | 4.4 g |
| Fat | 14.7 g | 8.4 g |
| Fiber | 2 g | 1.6 g |
| Sodium | 515 mg | 430 mg |
Which Is Better, Cheeseburger or Hamburger?
For weight loss: The hamburger is lower in calories, containing 250 calories compared to the cheeseburger's 308 calories.
For muscle and protein: The cheeseburger has more protein, with 16.5 g compared to the hamburger's 13.7 g.
For low-carb or low-sugar: The hamburger has slightly more carbohydrates at 30 g compared to the cheeseburger's 28.0 g, and less sugar at 4.4 g versus 4.9 g.
How to Track Cheeseburger and Hamburger Accurately
Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easy to misjudge, impacting dietary decisions. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.
How We Compiled These Numbers
The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use, not medical advice. Always consider individual dietary needs when evaluating nutrition. Values are per 100 g: Cheeseburger from USDA FoodData Central, Hamburger from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which has more protein?
The cheeseburger has 16.5 g of protein, while the hamburger has 13.7 g.
Which has fewer calories?
The hamburger has 250 calories, while the cheeseburger has 308 calories.
What are the carbohydrate contents?
The cheeseburger has 28.0 g of carbohydrates, and the hamburger has 30 g.
How much fat is in each?
The cheeseburger contains 14.7 g of fat, whereas the hamburger has 8.4 g.
What is the sugar content?
The cheeseburger has 4.9 g of sugar, while the hamburger has 4.4 g.
How much sodium do they contain?
The cheeseburger has 515 mg of sodium, and the hamburger contains 430 mg.
Key Takeaways
- Cheeseburger: 308 calories
- Hamburger: 250 calories
- Cheeseburger: 16.5 g protein
- Hamburger: 13.7 g protein
- Cheeseburger: 14.7 g fat
- Hamburger: 8.4 g fat
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