Calories in a Cheeseburger: By Size

A standard single-patty cheeseburger contains approximately 300–350 calories, according to USDA FoodData Central (NDB 21108) — but fast-food versions and double patties can push that figure well above 550.

Size matters more with burgers than almost any other food. The patty weight, bun type, cheese slice count, and condiments can swing the calorie total by several hundred calories between a homemade slider and a restaurant double.

Calories by size and style

The table below uses USDA FoodData Central data and published fast-food nutrition panels as reference points.

Cheeseburger type	Calories	Protein (g)	Fat (g)	Carbs (g)
Slider / mini (60 g total)	170	8	8	16
Single-patty, plain (140 g)	315	16	14	28
Fast-food single (e.g., McDonald’s)	300	15	13	33
Fast-food double (e.g., Quarter Pounder w/ cheese)	520	30	26	43
Pub-style half-pound with toppings	750–900	45–55	45–60	40–55
Gourmet brioche, double patty, extra cheese	950–1,100	50–60	60–75	55–70

Numbers are estimates. Actual values vary by patty fat percentage (80/20 vs. 90/10 beef), bun brand, cheese type, and sauce quantity.

What drives the calorie count

Three factors account for most of the variation:

• Patty fat percentage. An 80/20 beef patty has about 25% more calories than a 90/10 patty of the same weight. Switching to a 90/10 patty on a standard burger saves roughly 60–80 calories.
• The bun. A standard sesame-seed bun adds around 120–150 calories. A brioche bun can add 200–250.
• Cheese and sauce. One American cheese slice adds about 60–70 calories. A tablespoon of special sauce or mayo adds another 90–100.

Macros at a glance

A standard single-patty cheeseburger splits roughly 40% fat, 35% carbohydrate, and 25% protein by calories. That macro ratio makes it a moderate-protein, higher-fat food. Replacing the beef with a leaner patty and skipping the sauce shifts the split toward protein and carbs.

For precise tracking against your own targets, use the macro calculator to see how a cheeseburger lands against your daily protein and fat goals.

Does it fit your goals?

Weight loss: A single-patty cheeseburger (300–350 kcal) fits comfortably in most deficit diets — the danger is the meal around it. Fries (300–400 kcal) and a regular soda (150–200 kcal) can turn a 350-calorie burger into a 900-calorie meal. Swap fries for a side salad and water and the math changes dramatically. Understanding your baseline with a TDEE calculator helps you decide how much room you have.

Blood sugar: A plain cheeseburger has a moderate glycemic load — the bun provides 25–30 g of refined carbs, but the fat and protein slow glucose absorption meaningfully. Removing the bun or swapping for a lettuce wrap brings net carbs under 10 g. People managing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes should monitor post-meal readings to see how their own glucose responds. For more on how carb quality affects blood sugar, see our guide on glycemic load explained.

The bottom line

A cheeseburger ranges from roughly 170 calories (slider) to well over 1,000 (gourmet double). The single-patty fast-food version at around 300–350 calories is one of the more calorie-efficient hot meals you can get — the problem is almost always what comes alongside it.

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