Calories in
vanilla extract
288 kcal per 100 g Vanilla extract contains 288 calories per 100 grams, or about 37 calories per tbsp. Per 100 g it provides 0.1 g protein, 12.7 g carbohydrate and 0.1 g fat.
By calories that splits 98% carbohydrate, 0% protein, 1% fat.
Calories in a typical serving
Per-100 g figures are useful for comparison but nobody eats 100 g of anything on purpose. These are the USDA's own household measures.
| Serving | Grams | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 4.2 g | 12 | 0.0 g | 0.5 g | 0.0 g |
| 1 tbsp | 13.0 g | 37 | 0.0 g | 1.6 g | 0.0 g |
| 1 cup | 208.0 g | 599 | 0.1 g | 26.3 g | 0.1 g |
Full nutrition, per 100 g and per tbsp
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per tbsp |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 288 kcal | 37 kcal |
| Protein | 0.1 g | 0.0 g |
| Total fat | 0.1 g | 0.0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.0 g | 0.0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 12.7 g | 1.6 g |
| Fibre | 0.0 g | 0.0 g |
| Sugars | 12.7 g | 1.6 g |
| Sodium | 9.0 mg | 1.2 mg |
| Potassium | 148.0 mg | 19.2 mg |
| Calcium | 11.0 mg | 1.4 mg |
| Iron | 0.1 mg | 0.0 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0.0 mg | 0.0 mg |
| Vitamin A | 0.0 µg | 0.0 µg |
| Cholesterol | 0.0 mg | 0.0 mg |
| Water | 52.6 g | 6.8 g |
USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (FDC ID 173471). A dash means the nutrient was not measured for this item, which is not the same as zero.
How vanilla extract compares
Among the 15 spices and herbs items on this site, vanilla extract ranks 5 of 15 by calorie density, against a category average of 167 kcal per 100 g — so it is about 72% more calorie-dense than typical for its group.
It carries 0 g of protein per 100 calories, so it is not a meaningful protein source.
To burn off one tbsp (37 kcal), a 70 kg adult would walk for roughly 8 minutes — see the walking calculation on our sister site, or pick a different activity. Treat that as a sense of scale rather than a rule: eating and moving are not a simple ledger.
Questions
How many calories are in vanilla extract?
Vanilla extract contains 288 calories per 100 g, which works out to about 37 calories per tbsp. It also provides 0.1 g of protein, 12.7 g of carbohydrate and 0.1 g of fat per 100 g.
What is the macro breakdown of vanilla extract?
By calories, vanilla extract is roughly 98% carbohydrate, 0% protein and 1% fat. That makes it a predominantly carbohydrate-based food.
How long does it take to burn off a tbsp?
About 8 minutes of ordinary walking for a 70 kg adult (MET 4.0). That is a rough guide for scale, not a prescription — appetite and activity interact in ways a simple subtraction does not capture.
Is this figure exact for the vanilla extract I bought?
No. These are USDA reference values, averaged across samples. Real foods vary with variety, ripeness, growing conditions, cut, brand and how they were cooked — 10–20% either way is normal. Use them for planning, not precision.
Similar foods
Closest in calorie density within spices and herbs.
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy — public domain. Full USDA description: "Vanilla extract". General information only — not medical or nutrition advice. Values are averages for a food type and vary by brand, ripeness and preparation.