How many carbs in a slice of pizza is a question that often surfaces when individuals are conscious of their carbohydrate intake or managing dietary choices.
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast tracking your macronutrients or someone simply curious about the nutritional aspects of this popular indulgence, delving into the carb content of a slice of pizza provides valuable insights into making informed dietary decisions.
In this blog post, we will analyze the average carb counts for a single slice of plain pizza from several top pizza chains. So, keep reading to find out exactly how many grams of carbs you can expect based on your pizza slice choice.
How Many Carbs In a Slice Of Pizza?
In this quest for dietary knowledge, we delve into the average carbohydrate content of a slice of pizza and dissect the variables that contribute to this fundamental aspect of its nutritional profile.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), one slice of 14-inch pizza (107g) with regular crust, and cheese topping contains around 35.6 grams of carbohydrates. This may seem like a significant amount, but it’s important to note that this number can vary greatly depending on various factors such as the type of crust, toppings, and size of the slice.
For example, a thin crust slice will typically have fewer carbs compared to a thicker crust slice. In terms of toppings, a vegetable-loaded slice will generally have fewer carbs compared to one with meat and cheese.
Additionally, the size of the slice also plays a role in carb count. A larger slice will naturally have more carbs than a smaller one. Therefore, it’s essential to consider these factors when estimating your carb intake from pizza.
Pizza nutrition facts
(Amount per 1 slice 107 grams of 14-inch regular crust)
| Name | Amount | % Daily Value* |
| Calories | 285 | – |
| Total Fat | 10 g | 15% |
| Saturated fat | 4.8 g | 24% |
| Trans fat regulation | 0.3 g | – |
| Cholesterol | 18 mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 640 mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 184 mg | 5% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.6 g | 12% |
| Dietary fiber | 2.5 g | 10% |
| Sugar | 3.8 g | – |
| Protein | 12 g | 24% |
| Vitamin C | – | 2% |
| Iron | – | 15% |
| Vitamin B6 | – | 5% |
| Magnesium | – | 6% |
| Calcium | – | 20% |
| Vitamin D | – | 0% |
| Cobalamin | – | 6% |
Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
How Many Carbs Are In a Slice Of Pizza – By Toppings?
As I mentioned before, the toppings on a slice of pizza can greatly impact its carb count. To provide a more detailed breakdown, let’s take a look at the average carb counts for different toppings on a slice of pizza.
1. Pepperoni: A single slice of pizza with pepperoni toppings can contain anywhere from 2 to 4 grams of carbs, depending on the size and thickness of the slice.
2. Mushrooms: A vegetable topping often found on pizza, mushrooms add a negligible amount of carbs to a slice, typically less than 1 gram per serving.
3. Sausage: Another popular topping, sausage adds about 2 grams of carbs per slice.
4. Pineapple: For those who enjoy a sweet and savory combination on their pizza, pineapple adds around 3 to 5 grams of carbs per slice.
5. Olives: A low-carb vegetable option for pizza toppings, olives only add about 1 to 2 grams of carbs per slice.
6. Extra cheese: A common indulgence on pizza, extra cheese can add about 2 grams of carbs per slice.
These numbers may vary slightly depending on the brand and specific ingredients used by each pizza chain. In brief, the answer to the number of carbs in a slice of pizza is not a straightforward number but instead varies depending on several factors.
How Many Carbs In a Slice Of Pizza – Different Brands?
Besides the ingredients of pizzas, pizza brands are also a contributing factor to understanding the amount of carbs in a slice of pizza. Different pizza chains have varying recipes and ingredients, which can affect the carb content of their slices.
Below we will give some general estimates for popular pizza chains.
1. Carbs In a Pizza Slice From Domino’s Pizza
One slice of cheese pizza (108 grams) from their menu contains approximately 36 grams of carbs. This amount can vary slightly depending on the specific toppings added, but it provides a good estimate for those looking to track their carb intake.
This is slightly lower compared to Pizza Hut’s, but still within a reasonable range for those keeping track of their carb intake.
2. Carbs In a Pizza Slice From Pizza Hut Pizza
One slice of cheese pizza (105 grams) from their menu contains around 35 grams of carbs.
It’s worth noting that both Pizza Hut and Domino’s offer various crust options, such as thin crust or pan crust. These crusts can also impact the carb count of a pizza slice.
3. Carbs In a Pizza Slice From Papa John’s Pizza
One slice of cheese pizza (117 grams) from Papa John’s contains approximately 38 grams of carbohydrates.
Compared to the other two popular chains mentioned above, Papa John’s has the same carb count or slightly higher but not very much. All three chains offer various crust options, which can affect the carb content of a slice.
4. Carbs In a Pizza Slice From Costco Pizza
One slice of cheese pizza from Costco contains approximately 67 grams of carbohydrates. Compared to other popular pizza chains, Costco’s carb count is on the higher end.
However, this is likely due to their generous serving size, as their slices are typically larger than those from other chains. Costco also offers a variety of toppings, including meat and vegetable options, which can affect the carb content of their slices.
5. Carbs In a Pizza Slice From Digiorno Pizza
One slice of cheese pizza (108 grams) from Digiorno contains approximately 36 grams of carbs. Moreover, Digiorno is a frozen pizza brand, and its nutritional information may differ from freshly made pizzas at other chains.
6. Carbs In a Pizza Slice From Little Caesars Pizza
One slice of cheese pizza (48 grams) from Little Caesars contains approximately 11 grams of carbohydrates. Compared to other popular pizza chains, Little Caesars is the lowest among pizza chains in terms of carb count.
Little Caesars also offers a “Thin Crust” option, which has only 18 grams of carbs per slice. However, their other crust options may have a higher carb content.
| Type Of Pizza | Quantity | Total Carbohydrate |
| DiGiorno Cheese Stuffed Crust Pepperoni | 1 slice 1/4 of pie (179 g) | 53 g |
| DiGiorno Pizza | 1 slice 1/4 of pie (161 g) | 43 g |
| Domino’s Cheese Pizza | 1 slice (108 g) | 36 g |
| Domino’s Pepperoni Pizza | 1 slice (113 g) | 36 g |
| Domino’s Sausage Pizza | 1 slice (114 g) | 36 g |
| Dominos ExtravaganZZa Feast | 1 slice (151 g) | 39 g |
| KASHI Pizza | 0.33 pizza (116 g) | 28 g |
| Kashi Pizza Basil Pesto | 0.33 pieces (113 g) | 27 g |
| Kellogg’s Eggo Nutri-Grain Frozen Fruit Strawberry Granola Pizza | 1 pizza (150 g) | 66 g |
| LITTLE CAESARS 14″ Original Round Cheese Pizza | 1 slice (89 g) | 28 g |
| LITTLE CAESARS Original Round Meat and Vegetable Pizza | 1 slice (115 g) | 27 g |
| Little Caesar Cheese Pizza | 1 slice (48 g) | 11 g |
| Little Caesars Hot-N-Ready Pepperoni Pizza | 1 slice (104 g) | 30 g |
| PAPA JOHN’S Cheese Pizza | 1 slice (117 g) | 38 g |
| PIZZA HUT Super Supreme Pizza | 1 slice (123 g) | 32 g |
| Papa John’s Pepperoni Pizza | 1 slice (123 g) | 37 g |
| Papa John’s The Works Pizza | 1 slice (153 g) | 41 g |
| Pizza Hut Cheese Pizza | 1 slice (105 g) | 35 g |
| Pizza Hut Pepperoni Pizza | 1 slice (110 g) | 35 g |
Which Type Of Pizza Has The Highest Carbs?
Surely you will be curious about which type of pizza contains the most carbs and vice versa.
Based on the information from popular pizza chains, it’s safe to say that thicker crust slices with meat and cheese toppings tend to have the highest carb content. This is due to more dough and toppings being used in these types of pizzas. Below are some typical types.
1. Deep dish or Chicago-style pizza: Known for its thick and doughy crust, deep dish pizza is typically higher in carbs due to the larger amount of dough used.
2. Stuffed crust pizza: Similar to deep dish pizza, stuffed crust pizza also tends to have a higher carb count due to the extra layer of dough used in the crust.
3. Meat lover’s pizza: Toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, and bacon can significantly increase the carb content of a slice of pizza.
4. Hawaiian pizza: With toppings like pineapple and ham, Hawaiian pizza may have a higher carb count compared to other vegetable-loaded options.
Which Type Of Pizza Has The Lowest Carbs?
In contrast with pizzas that contain a lot of carbs, thin-crust slices with vegetable toppings typically have the lowest carb count. This makes them a suitable option for those looking to reduce their carb intake while still enjoying a slice of pizza. These include:
1. Thin crust pizza: With less dough used in the crust, thin crust pizza tends to be lower in carbs compared to thicker crust options.
2. Vegetable-loaded pizza: Toppings like mushrooms, peppers, and onions are all low in carbs and can help lower the overall carb count of a pizza slice.
3. Margherita pizza: This simple pizza is typically made with just tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil, making it a relatively low-carb option.
4. Gluten-free pizza: As more people are opting for gluten-free diets, many pizza chains now offer gluten-free crust options which can be lower in carbs compared to regular dough.
5. Cauliflower crust pizza: Another popular alternative for those looking for low-carb options is cauliflower crust pizza, which uses a vegetable-based crust instead of traditional dough.
Tips For Still Staying Healthy While Eating Pizza
Besides helping you discover the question of how many carbs in a slice of pizza, we will give you some tips to keep your body healthy while enjoying pizzas.
1. Choose your toppings wisely: As mentioned above, choosing vegetable-based toppings instead of heavy meats can help lower the carb content of your pizza.
2. Practice portion control: Opt for a smaller slice or share a pizza with someone else to reduce overall carb intake.
3. Balance out your meal: Pair your pizza with a side salad or vegetable dish to add more nutrients and balance out the carb-heavy meal.
4. Choose your toppings wisely: As mentioned above, choosing vegetable-based toppings instead of heavy meats can help lower the carb content of your pizza.
5. Practice portion control: Opt for a smaller slice or share a pizza with someone else to reduce overall carb intake.
6. Balance out your meal: Pair your pizza with a side salad or vegetable dish to add more nutrients and balance out the carb-heavy meal.
Where Can You Buy The Healthiest Pizza?
In a world where culinary preferences often collide with health-conscious choices, the quest for nutritious yet satisfying options like healthy pizzas becomes paramount. Don’t worry because we will recommend places where you can buy the healthiest pizzas.
Firstly, many local pizzerias offer customizable options with fresh ingredients, making it easier to choose healthier toppings and crust choices.
Also, some national pizza chains, such as MOD Pizza or Blaze Pizza, offer healthier options like gluten-free crusts and a variety of vegetable toppings.
Besides, some specialty pizza restaurants may cater to specific dietary needs, offering options for those following low-carb or vegan diets.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, making your pizza at home allows you to control the ingredients and make it as healthy as possible.
Conclusion
So, the next time you question how many carbs are in a slice of pizza, you’ll have all the necessary information to make a well-informed decision that suits your dietary needs.
With this knowledge, you can still enjoy pizza as part of a balanced diet without compromising your nutritional goals. Keep in mind that moderation is key, and making mindful choices can. Happy pizza eating!