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Calories in a Taco

Q: How many calories in a taco?

A small taco (78g): ~170 calories. A standard beef taco (171g): 373 kcal. Taco Bell Crunchy Taco: 170 kcal. Chipotle steak taco: ~155 kcal.

Updated July 2026 · Source: USDA FoodData Central

218

kcal

per 100g

9.7

Protein

9.8

Fat

23.0

Carbs

2.2

Fiber

170

kcal per small taco (78g)

373

kcal large beef taco (171g)

218

kcal per 100g

😌One of lowest calorie fast foods

💪9.7g protein per 100g

🌽Corn tortilla: lower GI, more fiber than flour

🌿2.2g fiber per 100g

🍋Lime and salsa add flavor without calories

⚠️435mg sodium — moderate for fast food

🍽 Calculate Calories for Any Amount of a Taco

Weight100g

Nutrition Facts

Per 100g a taco

* % Daily Value based on a 2,000 kcal diet.

Quick summary: A taco contains 218 calories per 100g — about 170 kcal for a small taco or 373 kcal for a large beef taco. One of the lower-calorie fast foods. Protein 9.7g/100g, balanced macros. Calories vary significantly by shell type (soft vs hard), filling (chicken vs beef vs fish), and toppings. Fish or chicken tacos with corn tortilla are among the most nutritious fast food options.

Vitamins & Minerals — per 100g

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value
Sodium	435mg	19%
Zinc	1.9mg	17%
Iron	1.8mg	10%
Calcium	93mg	9%
Phosphorus	130mg	10%
Vitamin B6	0.12mg	7%
Niacin	3.2mg	20%
Potassium	185mg	4%
Magnesium	22mg	5%
Vitamin A	53µg	6%

Calories in a Taco by Weight

Weight	Calories	Protein	Net Carbs	Fat

Macronutrient Breakdown — per 100g

Fat9.8g · 40% of calories

Protein9.7g · 18% of calories

Carbohydrates23.0g · 42% of calories

Fiber2.2g · Net carbs: 20.8g

Ground beef taco, soft flour tortilla (USDA). Corn tortilla: 20 kcal less per taco, more fiber, lower GI. Chicken taco: similar calories, more protein. Fish taco: similar. Taco Bell Crunchy Taco: 170 kcal. Chipotle steak taco (3 tacos): 470 kcal.

Key Nutrients

💪

Protein

9.7g

19% DV

From beef or chicken — complete protein

🌿

Fiber

2.2g

8% DV

From tortilla and vegetables

⚠️

Sodium

435mg

19% DV

Moderate — less than burger or hot dog

🧀

Calcium

93mg

9% DV

From cheese and sour cream

🔴

Iron

1.8mg

10% DV

From beef

⚡

Zinc

1.9mg

17% DV

From beef

Taco Nutrition Facts

One of the Better Fast Food Choices

At 218 kcal/100g — significantly lower than burgers (295), nuggets (296), or fries (312) — tacos are among the lowest-calorie fast food options per gram. A small corn tortilla taco with chicken, salsa, and vegetables can be under 150 kcal — making 2-3 tacos a reasonable meal at 300-450 kcal. The combination of protein, fiber (from vegetables and corn tortilla), and moderate fat creates good satiety relative to calorie content.

Corn Tortilla Advantage

Corn tortillas have a significantly better nutritional profile than flour tortillas: lower calories (~50 vs 90 per tortilla), fewer carbs, more fiber, and a lower glycemic index (~46 vs ~60). Traditional corn tortillas also contain no added fat and are naturally gluten-free. Using corn tortillas and stacking with salsa, onion, and cilantro (the authentic Mexican style) creates a nutritious meal with minimal processed ingredients.

Protein per Calorie — Efficient

Tacos have a reasonable protein-to-calorie ratio — particularly chicken or fish tacos. A 170 kcal chicken taco provides ~15g of protein — similar to an egg at 155 kcal. For weight management, protein per calorie is an important consideration, and tacos compare favourably to most fast food in this metric.

Building a Healthier Taco

The range from 'healthy taco' to 'unhealthy taco' is significant. Healthy: 2 corn tortilla chicken tacos with salsa, cilantro, onion (~300 kcal, 30g protein, low sodium). Less healthy: 2 flour tortilla ground beef tacos with cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce (~600 kcal, 25g protein, 1200mg sodium). Simple substitutions — corn for flour, chicken for beef, salsa for sour cream — dramatically improve the nutritional profile.

Compare a Taco Calories

Is a Taco Suitable for Your Diet?

✅

Weight loss

Good choice — 170 kcal small taco

❌

Keto

No — unless lettuce wrap

✅

Paleo

Corn tortilla + meat + veg

✅

Gluten-free

Corn tortilla only

⚠️

Diabetic

Corn tortilla — lower GI

❌

Vegan

No — meat and cheese

⚠️

Vegetarian

Bean or veggie taco

✅

Balanced diet

Lower calorie fast food

Related Calculators

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories in a taco?

A small taco (78g): ~170 calories. A standard beef taco (171g): 373 kcal. Taco Bell Crunchy Taco: 170 kcal. Chipotle steak taco: ~155 kcal.

Are tacos healthy?

Tacos can be one of the more nutritious fast foods — particularly fish or chicken tacos with corn tortilla, salsa, and vegetables. They're lower in calories than most fast food, provide protein, and can include nutritious toppings. Beef tacos with sour cream and cheese are higher in saturated fat.

Corn vs flour tortilla?

Corn tortilla: ~50 kcal, 10g carbs, 1g fiber, lower GI (~46). Flour tortilla: ~90 kcal, 16g carbs, 0.5g fiber, higher GI (~60). Corn tortilla is nutritionally superior — more fiber, fewer calories, lower GI.

Is a taco keto?

Traditional taco: No — 23g carbs/100g. Lettuce-wrap or cheese shell taco: Yes — minimal carbs.

How to make tacos healthier?

Corn tortilla instead of flour, chicken or fish instead of beef, extra salsa and vegetables, skip sour cream, use plain yogurt instead, add avocado for healthy fat.

How many calories in Taco Bell?

Crunchy Taco: 170 kcal. Soft Taco: 180 kcal. Doritos Locos Taco: 170 kcal. Crunchy Taco Supreme: 190 kcal.

Sources

Nutrition values from USDA FoodData Central. Not medical advice.