How Many Calories Does a Slice of Pizza Have? Count Yours!

Do you want to know “how many calories does a slice of pizza have?” The answer is that an average piece of 12-inch pizza has at least 285 calories. You can find many calculators and charts online to count your pizza calories. The truth is, no single value is perfect. 

Pizza is a calorie-dense food. The calorie content can vary depending on the ingredients, crust thickness, and toppings. Thus, it increases continuously. 

Fortunately, other low-calorie choices include low-fat cheese pizza, whole wheat crust, and veggie toppings!

Also, what types of toppings should you put on your next pizza to achieve the most nutritional value? Continue reading this article to learn more about this popular dish and count your personalized pizza slice calorie. We hope you found this article helpful, and it will help you make a health-conscious decision next time you buy a pizza!

How Many Calories Does a Slice Of Pizza Have, on Average?

On average, a single slice of medium-sized 14-inch regular crust pizza provides 285 calories. It’s a general estimate and does not consider the significant variation that can occur by changing the topping or the crust. 

The nutritional value of several toppings like pepperoni, sausages, and extra cheese adds far more calories to your thin-crust pizza.

Below we’ve discussed an estimate for the number of calories in a slice of pizza. These estimates are based on the type of topping or the type of brand chosen.

Calories in Pizza Slice by Topping

With its combination of carbs, protein, and fat, pizza may be a regular element of a well-balanced diet. The number of calories in each slice of pizza is determined by the toppings you select.

Do you want to know how many calories are in each pizza topping? You won’t have to wonder anymore, as we describe just that below.

For one slice, which is one-eighth of a large pizza, pizza topping provides the following nutrition and calories:

Anchovies

Anchovies as a topping on a slice of pizza provide 15 calories with 1 gram of protein and 1 gram of fat. No carbs are added to the slice by the anchovies. 

Bacon

Adding bacon to a slice of pizza can make the slice quite calorie-dense by adding 50 calories per slice. Bacon adds 3.5 grams of saturated fat and 3 grams of protein on average to a slice. 

Beef

Beef on a slice of pizza as a topping provides almost the same macronutrients as bacon, i.e, 50 calories. It provides an average of 3.5 grams of saturated fat and 3 grams of proteins. 

Chicken

Chicken is a much healthier option than all the meat toppings. Adding chicken as a topping provides almost half as many calories compared to bacon or beef, which is around 25 calories. How many calories?

Ham

Ham is one of the least calorie-dense toppings. On average, adding ham as a topping adds an additional 15 calories to the slice. It increased the macronutrient in the slice by adding 1 gram of fat and 2 grams of proteins. 

Olives

Adding olives as a topping on pizza is one of the healthier options available. It adds 1.5 grams of healthy fat to the slice of pizza without any additional protein or carbs. Olives add 15 calories on average to a slice of pizza.

Pepperoni

It’s one of the most popular toppings worldwide and is also one of the least healthy toppings options available. Additionally, pepperoni being calorie-dense with 50 calories per slice, the popularity of pepperoni pizzas is why pizzas are generally regarded as an unhealthy dish. 

Pineapple

Pineapple on pizza as a topping has been a controversial debate ever since the dish came into existence. Hawaiian pizzas usually use pineapples as toppings.
Despite its controversial position as a pizza topping, pineapple does provide a healthy alternative for pizza topping, especially when compared to pepperoni and beef toppings. 

Pineapple on a slice of pizza adds only   10 calories on average. The majority of these calories are in the form of carbs. 

Salami

Adding salami as a topping would add 35 calories to that slice of pizza.
Salami does not add any additional carbs. However, it does add 3 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein as additional macronutrients.

Sausages

A lot of pizza brands provide many different types of sausage toppings. Sliced sausage toppings and Italian sausage toppings are its two most popular iterations. Sausages are one of the most caloric dense toppings available, providing an average of 60 calories per pizza. Most of these calories come from saturated fat and proteins.

Calories in Pizza Slice By Brand

The amount of calories a pizza has also depends on the brand of the pizza. Many pizza brands use special ingredients or cook the pizza in a specific way; this is what makes each pizza brand unique in how many calories their pizzas have. 

Below we discuss some of the world-renowned pizza brands; and how many estimated calories are you consuming from an average slice of their pizza before adding other toppings. 

Calories in Pizza Slice By Brand

The amount of calories a pizza has also depends on the brand of the pizza. Many pizza brands use special ingredients or cook the pizza in a specific way; this is what makes each pizza brand unique in how many calories their pizzas have. 

Below we discuss some of the world-renowned pizza brands; and how many estimated calories are you consuming from an average slice of their pizza before adding other toppings. 

Calories in Pizza Hut’s Pizza Slice

A Pizza Hut slice of cheese pizza (which is their “standard” piece of pizza) has 220 calories. This meal has 26 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of protein, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 8 grams of fat, and 4 grams of saturated fat.

Calories in Domino’s Pizza Slice

A Domino’s medium size cheese pizza is loaded with about 1600 calories. Thus, per slice, it has 200 calories, which is less than a similar pizza from Pizza Hut. It also comprises 25 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of fat,  and 9 grams of protein.
However, the calorie count for thin-crust rises to 290, compared to 190 for thin-crust at Pizza Hut.

Calories in Papa John’s Pizza Slice 

A slice of a medium cheese pizza from Papa John’s has 210 calories, which is between that of Dominos and Pizza Hut. They have no similar thin crust because the thin crust is only available in larger sizes. A slice of the big thin crust pizza, on the other hand, has 215 calories, indicating that the thin-crust has fewer calories than the company’s original crust.

Calories in DiGiorno’s Pizza Slice

DiGiorno is possibly the most well-known brand in the frozen pizza business. A slice of DiGiorno rising crust four cheese pizza gives you 290 calories with 36g of carbohydrates, 14g of protein, 10g of fat, and 4.5g of saturated fat.

Calories in Costo’s Pizza Slice 

Costco cheese pizza is one of their most popular. Its concept is simple; it contains just pizza dough, tomato sauce, and cheese. Its exceptional flavor is based on 1.5 pounds (680 g) of Mozzarella and Provolone spread throughout the extra-large pizza, measuring 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter.

It has a total calorie count of 700, with 44 grams of proteins and 28 grams of fats providing most of the calories. 

Calories in Little Caesars’ Pizza Slice

Little Caesars’ 14-inch regular-crust cheese pizza offers you roughly 235 calories per slice. If you choose a pepperoni pizza of the very same size, however, you will be taking around 245 calories.  One slice of their supreme pizza, which is loaded with several vegetables and pepperoni, has roughly 280 calories, the same goes with 14 inches pizza slice.

Ordering the deep-dish type of Little Caesar’s pizza adds even more calories to your diet. A 14-inch deep-dish cheese pizza has over 270 calories. A single slice of pepperoni deep dish pizza contains about 275 calories. Instead of ingesting a substantial amount of your daily calorie intake from a few deep-dish pizza slices, go for the thin crust. A 14-inch slice of thin-crust cheese pizza has fewer than 150 calories.

Pizza Nutrition Facts

Given its great flavors, variety, and ease of preparation, it’s no wonder that pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. Pizzas have many variations, but traditional pizza is made of dough, tomato sauce, and cheese. Despite what you may have heard, this dish has a place in a well-balanced diet.

The macronutrient and calorie composition of each pizza will vary depending on the kind and technique of cooking. This is because topping and crust types can vary according to a person’s taste preference and unique demand. 

The information below is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for one slice (107g) of regular cheese pizza from a typical fast-food pizza restaurant.

• 285 calories
• 10.4 grams of fat
• 35.6 grams of carbohydrate
• 12.2 grams of protein
• 640 milligrams of sodium content
• 2.5 grams of fiber
• 3.8 grams  of sugars

Carbs

According to the above information, one slice of pizza has around 35.6 grams of carbohydrates. As per the CDC, an individual consuming 1,800 calories per day should devote roughly 800-900 to carbohydrates, with a minimum of 200-225 grams each day.

Fats 

The bulk of the fat in pizza is derived from cheese, notably cheddar and mozzarella, which can have high quantities of saturated fat and salt.

Your daily caloric intake should account for no more than 10% of your daily caloric intake. Instead, it’s recommended that you base your fat diet on unsaturated fats like omega-3 and omega-6. These fats are found in nuts, olives, fish, eggs, tofu, and flaxseed.

Protein

A typical piece of pizza has about 12 grams of protein. Your daily protein consumption will vary depending on your gender, height, exercise level, and calorie needs. Protein is required for muscle maintenance, development, and the formation of connective tissues, among other things.

Minerals and vitamins

The pizza includes trace amounts of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc, contributing to a healthy diet. Whole foods should provide the bulk of these nutrients.

Healthy Diet Guidelines

After knowing so much about the pizza calories, you might have become worried. Please stop!

You can choose healthy pizza ingredients to cut calories. Below, we’ve mentioned several options.

Healthy Pizza Base 

A healthy diet should contain around 33% carbohydrates, 44% protein, and 23% fat from various sources such as legumes, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains. While carbs are necessary for supplying energy and reducing exhaustion throughout long days at work or school, they are not necessarily excellent for your waistline. 

Whenever possible, use whole wheat choices and avoid white bread and pasta in favor of brown rice and brown bread! A typical thin-crust pizza has a dough base, fresh or dried herbs and spices, a tomato sauce, a protein such as chicken or lean ham, and some veggies.

Healthy Pizza Toppings

A variety of healthy toppings may be used to make pizza more enjoyable while also providing essential nutrients to the body. Green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, lean meats like turkey or chicken, seafood like salmon, avocado for some healthy fats, mushrooms, tofu for vegetarians, and seeds like pumpkin or sunflower are some of the finest.

Cheese (ideally low-fat) and cured meats like ham or salami are two less-nutritious but still healthful alternatives. If you’re managing your weight, it’s vital not to overdo these components because they may rapidly add up in terms of calories!

Healthy Pizza Sauces

Tomato sauce is often produced from tomatoes that have been cooked with onions, garlic, and oregano. Some people add additional beneficial spices to their sauce, such as basil or rosemary.

Tomatoes are a good natural source of potassium, vitamin C, and lycopene, which have been found in certain studies to help lower cancer risk. They do, however, contain natural sugars, which might boost your calorie consumption if you’re not cautious. To keep your pizza healthy, reduce the tomato sauce used on each slice! Also, avoid using any ready-made, additional sauces.

Tips for staying healthy while still enjoying pizza: 

• Place your pizza in a big dish to see everything that will be on top. Having a thick pizza will make it difficult for you to be mindful of all the calories you’re consuming. 

All the cheese and additional meat might be added to the thick bite of the pizza. This is why, for small bites, a thin crust pizza is usually preferred.

• If you’re attempting to lose weight, avoid adding more cheese to your toppings. The less fat on your slice, the better for your waistline, even if it means some vegetables may fall off!
• If you’re managing your carbohydrates, choose thin pizza crusts and eat smaller servings of the cheapest toppings like cheese and sauce, containing more starch than other ingredients.
• You can prepare a much healthier version of your favorite pizza at home by using wholemeal dough, olive oil instead of butter, and a lot of veggies! It may not taste the same, but it’s far healthier for your health and waistline.
• Instead of consuming the entire pizza in one sitting, limit your portion size.
• Limit your calorie intake by eating toppings like cheese and cured meats in moderation.
• Choose thin-crust or small-sized pizzas, which are often lower in fat than deep-dish variants.
• Allow the dough to rise before cooking to make it more nutritious!

FAQs

How many calories do you actually save by not eating the crust off a couple of slices of pizza?

If you don’t eat the crust on your pizza, you’ll save roughly 50 to 75 calories per slice and 5 to 10 grams of carbs.

If half of a pizza is consumed without eating the crust of it, this adds up to a significant 200 to 300 calories and 20 to 30 carbohydrates.

How many calories are in a large pizza?

One large pizza contains enough calories to meet the FDA’s daily calorie requirement of 2,000. You should think about this before eating that huge pizza you just ordered. A large Domino’s pizza contains 2,320 calories, whereas a large hand-tossed pizza from Pizza Hut contains 2,400 calories. Eating the entire pizza with this many calories is not the ideal healthy dinner.

How many calories do two slices of pizza have?

It depends on the type of pizza and the topping chosen. On average, two slices of 14′ Pepperoni Pizza have 596 calories, while two slices of a cheese pizza might contain around 475 calories.

What is the weight of a slice of pizza?

A 12-inch pizza produces an average slice of pizza. It’s tough to offer an approximation because slices vary in size. Even a professional pizza delivery service may deliver pizza slices that aren’t cut evenly.

However, if you split the pizza into four equal pieces, each slice weighs around 195 grams.

The weight of the pizza slice increases if you add extra-heavy toppings, such as veggies or meat.

The size of the pizza also determines the weight of a pizza slice. A piece of extra-large pizza, for example, will be heavier than a slice of a small pizza. This is because the slice is inherently bigger.

What is the calorie count of a slice of thin-crust pizza?

Previously, all pizza crusts were the same, but this is no longer the case. Pizzerias now provide a variety of pizza crusts with varied calorie values.

The calories in a medium 14-inch (30.5-cm) pizza with different crust varieties and the same toppings of cheese and tomato sauce, for example, will vary dramatically.

The different types of crust include stuffed crust, deep-dish, regular crust, and thin crust. 

Unfortunately, choosing a thin pizza crust will not address all of your calorie concerns because toppings contain calories as well.

For example, a chess pizza with a thin crust would provide you with an average of 170 calories, while the same thin crust pizza with sausages will have 270 calories per pizza slice.

Can I lose weight while eating pizza occasionally?

If you enjoy pizza, you may adjust your calorie intake such that you can have a slice or two once a week while still losing weight.

You may also keep your weight loss goals on track by selecting healthier pizza selections. For example, a big slice of cheese pizza from Hungry Howie’s contains 200 calories. You’ll save 40 calories if you choose a thin crust. 

Adding healthy toppings, such as to get veggie pizza, can also help you enjoy pizza while losing weight.

How many calories does a slice of homemade pizza have?

A slice of homemade pizza weighs around 110-140 grams. Hence, each slice of a homemade pizza gives you 150-200 calories, with 22-30 grams of carbohydrates, 12-15 grams of protein, and 3-5 grams of fat.

How many calories should I eat every day to lose weight?

To lose at least a pound every week, strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days and a 500-calorie reduction in your daily calorie consumption. However, calorie intake should not be reduced below 1,200 calories per day for women or 1,500 calories per day for men unless advised by a health professional.

Also, before making major modifications to your training and eating programs, visit a certified nutritionist and a physical trainer.

Why is pizza high in calories?

Pizza is high in calories because of its ingredients:

Cheese is one of the most calorie-dense foods, consisting primarily of fat and a little protein.

The dough consists largely of wheat flour (which is also high in calories), olive oil (which is mostly fat), and sugar.

Even though the sauce appears to be low in calories since it’s largely made of tomatoes, most sauces do include a substantial quantity of added sugar.

Are pizzas unhealthy?

Processed pizzas are frequently higher in harmful components than homemade pizzas. Preservatives, colorings, and harmful fats may be found in frozen and fast-food pizzas. However, regardless of how they’re prepared, all pizzas are often made using refined wheat flour.

Thus, pizzas are considered an unhealthy diet because of the high amount of processed ingredients that go into preparing them. 

How many slices of pizza are too much?

When determining how many pizzas to order, three slices per adult and two slices per child is a decent starting point.

To answer the question, how many pizza slices are unhealthy?

It varies from person to person, with persons at risk of heart attack being more susceptible to the negative effects of pizza. However, if you start consuming three or four slices on a daily basis, your diet might harm your health. The count for cheese pizza calories in one slice can be around 400 calories—more if you add pepperoni or other high-fat toppings.

Is it okay to eat pizza once a week?

It’s not recommended to consume pizza regularly, but eating a pizza once a week should be the limit. It’s recommended to load the pizza up with healthy toppings like veggies if you plan to eat them regularly.

Should you wipe the oil off your pizza?

Some pizzas, especially the meaty and cheesy varieties, usually have an extra layer of oil on top. This adds additional calories to an already calorie-dense serving. Some people prefer wiping off the oil from the pizza, which can help reduce the calories added by the oil. For every teaspoon of oil removed from the pizza, the pizza would become 40 calories lighter.

Conclusion

While it might be important to know “the calories in a slice of pizza” or “which type of pizza is the most calorie-dense?”. Knowing how to eat in moderation is the key to living a healthy lifestyle. Simply controlling what you put in your mouth regularly might make life easier.