QUICK ANSWER
How many calories are in cucumber?
Raw cucumber with its peel contains about 15 calories per 100 g. Because cucumber is mostly water, even a generous plateful is relatively low in energy—but the weight still matters.
15 kcal / 100 gNutrition values describe a reference food state, not every individual item. Variety, water content, preparation and portion weight can change the estimate.
THE NUMBERS
Cucumber nutrition facts per 100 g
The table below uses the reference state shown at the top of this page. Keeping one gram basis makes it easier to compare foods before translating the values to the portion you actually ate.
Source: USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy record 168409. Values may be rounded for readability.
SERVING SIZE
Calories by portion and serving weight
Words such as “small,” “medium,” “half” and “one piece” are convenient but imprecise. Grams make the estimate reproducible, particularly when natural foods vary in size.
MACROS
Carbohydrate, protein and fat explained
Carbohydrate
Most of cucumber’s calories come from a small amount of carbohydrate. The 3.63 g figure includes naturally occurring sugars and fibre.
Protein
Cucumber is not a meaningful protein source on its own. Pair it with yogurt, eggs, tofu, fish, chicken or legumes when building a balanced meal.
Fat
Plain cucumber contains almost no fat. Dressings, oil, tahini and creamy dips can contribute far more calories than the cucumber itself.
MORE THAN CALORIES
Fibre, vitamins and minerals
One food does not need to provide every nutrient. These are the characteristics most useful for understanding where cucumber fits in a varied eating pattern.
Hydration
Cucumber is approximately 95% water by weight. It can contribute fluid from food, but it does not replace drinking enough water.
Potassium
The reference amount supplies 147 mg of potassium. That is useful context, but cucumber is not one of the most concentrated potassium foods.
Vitamin C
Raw cucumber provides a modest amount of vitamin C. Storage time and preparation can affect the amount that remains.
Fibre
With 0.5 g per 100 g, cucumber adds some fibre but is not a high-fibre food. Keeping the peel generally preserves more fibre than peeling it.
FOOD STATE MATTERS
How preparation changes the nutrition estimate
A reliable calorie entry should describe the food you actually ate—not merely a food with a similar name.
Peeled
A peeled cucumber is a different database record. Removing the peel changes fibre and some micronutrient values.
Pickled
Pickles can be much higher in sodium and may include sugar. Log a pickle-specific record, not raw cucumber.
With dressing
Oil-based and creamy dressings should be logged separately. A tablespoon of oil changes the meal more than extra cucumber slices.
Mixed into a meal
For salads, bowls and sandwiches, estimate or weigh the cucumber before combining it with other ingredients.
PRACTICAL CONTEXT
How cucumber can fit different goals
There is no universal “good” or “bad” food. Portion, frequency, the rest of the meal, preferences and individual health needs all matter.
Lower-energy meals
Cucumber adds volume, crunch and freshness for relatively few calories.
Fibre goals
It can help a little, but beans, berries, whole grains, seeds and many other vegetables contribute more fibre.
Protein goals
Treat cucumber as a vegetable component, not the protein anchor of the meal.
Sodium awareness
Fresh cucumber is naturally low in sodium; pickled cucumber can be very different.
QUALITY & SAFETY
How to choose, store and prepare it
Choose
Look for firm cucumbers with even colour and no wet, sunken or very soft areas.
Refrigerate
Keep whole cucumbers chilled and dry. A breathable or lightly wrapped container can help limit moisture loss.
After cutting
Refrigerate cut cucumber promptly in a covered container and use it while the texture is still crisp.
Food safety
Wash under running water before cutting, even when you plan to remove the peel.
PHOTO LOGGING
How to log cucumber more accurately
A food photo can suggest the ingredient, but it cannot always reveal exact weight, hidden oil or preparation details. These checks turn an image guess into a better estimate.
- 01
Confirm whether the cucumber was raw, peeled or pickled.
- 02
Use a scale when possible; length is a weak estimate because varieties differ.
- 03
Log dressing, oil, cheese, seeds and dips as separate ingredients.
- 04
For a shared salad, log the portion you actually served rather than the whole bowl.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Cucumber calorie and nutrition questions
How many calories are in one cucumber?
There is no single answer because English, Persian and field cucumbers vary substantially in size. Multiply the edible weight in grams by 0.15 to estimate calories from this record.
Are cucumber calories different without the peel?
The calorie difference is small, but fibre and some micronutrients change. Choose the peeled record when that matches what you ate.
Is cucumber a zero-calorie food?
No. It is low in calories, not calorie-free.
Does cucumber count toward hydration?
Its high water content contributes fluid from food, while ordinary drinking water remains important.
Should I log cucumber in a salad?
Yes when you want a complete record, although oils, cheese, nuts and dressings usually have a much larger effect on total calories.
KEEP EXPLORING
Related food guides
SOURCES & METHOD
Where these numbers come from
Values are for raw cucumber with peel, per 100 g edible portion. Database values are reference estimates; natural variation and preparation can change an individual serving.
Open USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy record 168409 ↗Page reviewed 26 August 2026. We show the food state, gram basis and source record so readers can check the estimate instead of treating one number as universally exact.