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McDonald’s US ranking

McDonald’s US, ranked by calories

248 items on the current US menu, highest first, as a share of the USDA estimated daily calorie needs for the person eating.

Source: McDonald’s published US nutrition information, checked September 2026Figures collected by BooneHow this ranking works
Highest1,950 calSpicy Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)
Lowest0 calAmericano (Small)
Typical item270 calthe median across the menu
Who is eating
McDonald’s US Spicy Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)1stSpicy Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)1,950 cal98% of dayMcDonald’s US Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)2ndChicken McNuggets (40 piece)1,650 cal82% of dayMcDonald’s US Big Breakfast with Hotcakes3rdBig Breakfast with Hotcakes1,340 cal67% of day

Calories per McDonald's US item

248 items, highest first. % of day is against an adult woman’s 2,000 calorie estimated need.
1McDonald’s US Spicy Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)Spicy Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)Burgers, Chicken and Sandwiches103g protein, 4,180mg sodium1,950 cal98% of day2McDonald’s US Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)Burgers, Chicken and Sandwiches92g protein, 3,400mg sodium1,650 cal82% of day3McDonald’s US Big Breakfast with HotcakesBig Breakfast with HotcakesBreakfast36g protein, 2,070mg sodium1,340 cal67% of day4McDonald’s US Spicy Chicken McNuggets (20 piece)Spicy Chicken McNuggets (20 piece)Burgers, Chicken and Sandwiches52g protein, 2,090mg sodium980 cal49% of day5McDonald’s US Strawberry Shake (Large)Strawberry Shake (Large)Sweets, Treats and Shakes19g protein, 310mg sodium850 cal42% of day
6McDonald’s US Caramel Apple Pie Frappé (Large)Caramel Apple Pie Frappé (Large)McCafé Coffee and Tea11g protein, 340mg sodium840 cal42% of day7McDonald’s US Chicken McNuggets (20 piece)Chicken McNuggets (20 piece)Burgers, Chicken and Sandwiches46g protein, 1,700mg sodium830 cal42% of day8McDonald’s US Chocolate Shake (Large)Chocolate Shake (Large)Sweets, Treats and Shakes18g protein, 390mg sodium800 cal40% of day9McDonald’s US Vanilla Shake (Large)Vanilla Shake (Large)Sweets, Treats and Shakes17g protein, 360mg sodium780 cal39% of day10McDonald’s US Hotcakes and SausageHotcakes and SausageBreakfast15g protein, 810mg sodium770 cal38% of day

Item images are illustrations created by Boone, not photographs.

The whole McDonald's US menu at a glance

Each dot is one item, coloured by menu section. Burgers, Chicken and Sandwiches sit highest for calories on average; Fries, Sides and Sauces sit lowest.

Burgers, Chicken and SandwichesBreakfastSweets, Treats and ShakesMcCafé Coffee and TeaFries, Sides and SaucesHappy Meals and KidsSoft Drinks and Cold Beverages
05001,0001,5002,000Burgers, Chicken and Sa…BreakfastSweets, Treats and Shak…McCafé Coffee and TeaFries, Sides and SaucesHappy Meals and KidsSoft Drinks and Cold Be…calories (cal)

Lightest in each McDonald's US menu section

The same part of the menu, compared.

McDonald’s US Chicken McNuggets (4 piece)Burgers, Chicken and SandwichesChicken McNuggets (4 piece)170 cal, against Spicy Chicken McNuggets (40 piece) at 1,950 calSaves 1,780 calMcDonald’s US Hash BrownsBreakfastHash Browns140 cal, against Big Breakfast with Hotcakes at 1,340 calSaves 1,200 calMcDonald’s US Chocolate Chip CookieSweets, Treats and ShakesChocolate Chip Cookie170 cal, against Strawberry Shake (Large) at 850 calSaves 680 calMcDonald’s US Americano (Small)McCafé Coffee and TeaAmericano (Small)0 cal, against Caramel Apple Pie Frappé (Large) at 840 calSaves 840 calMcDonald’s US Mustard PacketFries, Sides and SaucesMustard Packet0 cal, against Fries (Large) at 480 calSaves 480 calMcDonald’s US Apple SlicesHappy Meals and KidsApple Slices15 cal, against Chicken McNuggets (6 piece) Happy Meal at 475 calSaves 460 calMcDonald’s US Unsweetened Iced Tea (Small)Soft Drinks and Cold BeveragesUnsweetened Iced Tea (Small)0 cal, against Orange Dream with Hi-C (Large) at 450 calSaves 450 cal

Quick answers

What has the most calories at McDonald’s in the US?

The Spicy Chicken McNuggets (40 piece), at 1,950 cal. That is 98% of the 2,000 calorie estimated need for an adult woman.

What has the least calories at McDonald’s in the US?

The Americano (Small), at 0 cal.

How many calories do I need a day?

USDA estimates for moderately active people: 2,000 for adult women and 2,600 for adult men, 1,800 to 2,000 for ages 9 to 13 and 1,500 for ages 4 to 8.

More McDonald’s US rankings
Highest protein →Highest sodium →Lowest calorie →Most ingredients →Most added sugar →
How this ranking works

Calories are per item as served, from McDonald’s USA published nutrition information, per item as served, checked in September 2026. Where an item is sold in more than one size, each size is listed separately, and sharing boxes are listed at their full box value. Daily energy uses USDA estimated needs for moderately active people: 2,000 calories for adult women and 2,600 for adult men, 2,000 and 2,600 for girls and boys aged 14 to 18, 1,800 and 2,000 for ages 9 to 13, and 1,500 for ages 4 to 8.

Read the full methodology →