How Many Calories in a Croissant? Nutrition Facts & Macros
One medium croissant (57g) has 231 calories
Protein 4.7g · Carbs 26.1g · Fat 12g
The croissant is a buttery, flaky French pastry that's become a breakfast staple worldwide. Whether you're grabbing one at a bakery, tracking macros, or wondering how it compares to toast, knowing the exact nutrition facts helps. Here's everything you need to know about croissant calories and macros, based on USDA data. A butter croissant contains about 23% water.
1699 kJ · per 100g · Water: 23.2 g
Calorie Calculator: Croissant (Butter)
57 g Croissant (Butter) contains 231 kcal
Calories by Portion Size
| Portion | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 medium croissant (57g) | 231 kcal | 4.7g | 26.1g | 12g |
| 1 large croissant (85g) | 345 kcal | 7g | 38.9g | 17.8g |
| 100 grams | 406 kcal | 8.2g | 45.8g | 21g |
Croissant (Butter) — Nutrition Facts
| Croissant (Butter) | per 100g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 406 kcal |
| Protein | 8.2 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Carbs | 45.8 g |
| Fiber | 2.6 g |
| Sugar | 11.26 g |
| Sodium | 384 mg |
| Potassium | 118 mg |
| Magnesium | 16 mg |
| Phosphorus | 105 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0.2 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.058 mg |
| Folate | 130 mcg |
| Water | 23.2 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC ID: 174987) · Data verified April 2026
Variations
Chocolate croissant
410 kcal per 100g — similar to plain (406 kcal) but with added chocolate. More sugar (~15g vs 11g). Higher total calories per piece since chocolate croissants are often larger (75g, ~307 kcal).
Dietary Perspectives
For Weight Loss
At 406 kcal per 100 g, a butter croissant is very calorie-dense. It contains 21.0 g of fat, 45.8 g of carbohydrates, and only 8.2 g of protein per 100 g. Fiber is low at 2.6 g, providing minimal satiety for its calorie count. One croissant (~67 g, ~272 kcal) is a significant portion of a daily calorie budget during weight loss.
For Athletic Performance
A croissant provides 45.8 g of carbohydrates per 100 g but the high fat (21.0 g) significantly slows digestion. Not ideal as pre-workout fuel — the fat delays carbohydrate absorption. Contains 118 mg of potassium per 100 g. Better options for training fuel include bagel, rice, or banana which are lower in fat.
For Keto
Not compatible with a ketogenic diet. A croissant contains 43.2 g of net carbs per 100 g (45.8 g total carbohydrates minus 2.6 g fiber). One croissant (~67 g) has approximately 29.0 g of net carbs — exceeding a strict daily keto limit from a single pastry. No standard croissant is keto-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a croissant?
One medium butter croissant (57g) contains approximately 231 calories. Per 100g, a butter croissant has 406 calories. A large croissant (85g) has about 345 calories. Most calories come from fat (21g per 100g) and carbs (45.8g).
How much fat is in a croissant?
One medium croissant (57g) has about 12g of total fat, of which 6.6g is saturated fat (from butter). Per 100g, croissants contain 21g fat and 11.66g saturated. This makes them one of the highest-fat baked goods. The butter layers create the flaky texture but add significant calories.
Is a croissant good for weight loss?
Croissants are calorie-dense at 406 kcal per 100g with high fat (21g) and refined carbs (45.8g). One medium croissant (231 kcal) is a lot of calories for a small pastry with low satiety. For weight loss, whole wheat bread (83 kcal per slice) is a much better breakfast choice. Treat croissants as an occasional indulgence, not a daily habit.
Croissant vs bread — what's the difference?
Croissant: 406 kcal per 100g, 21g fat. Whole wheat bread: 252 kcal per 100g, 3.5g fat. A croissant has 60% more calories and 6x more fat than bread, mainly from butter. Bread has more fiber (6g vs 2.6g) and protein (12.45g vs 8.2g). Bread wins for nutrition, croissant for indulgent taste.
How many carbs are in a croissant?
One medium croissant (57g) has about 26.1g of carbohydrates. Per 100g, croissants contain 45.8g carbs, of which 11.26g is sugar. These are mostly refined carbs from white flour. A croissant has more carbs than two slices of bread (28g).
Are croissants high in cholesterol?
One medium croissant (57g) contains about 38mg of cholesterol. Per 100g, croissants have 67mg of cholesterol, mainly from butter and eggs. This is moderate — about 22% of the recommended daily limit. For context, one egg has 186mg of cholesterol, so a croissant is much lower.
Compare with Similar Foods
| Portion | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croissant (Butter) | 406 | 8.2g | 45.8g | 21g |
| Bread (Whole Wheat) | 252 | 12.45g | 42.71g | 3.5g |
| Bagel (Plain) | 264 | 10.56g | 52.38g | 1.32g |
| Donut (Glazed) | 426 | 5.2g | 50.8g | 22.9g |
| Cheese (Cheddar) | 403 | 22.87g | 3.37g | 33.31g |
per 100g
Per 100g, a butter croissant has 406 kcal with 21g fat — 60% more calories than bread (252 kcal) and nearly as calorie-dense as a donut (426 kcal). The buttery flavor comes at a significant caloric cost.