QUICK ANSWER
How many calories are in tomato?
Raw Roma tomato contains about 22 calories per 100 g. Tomatoes are mostly water, so a generous fresh portion remains relatively low in calories until oil, cheese, bread or sauce ingredients are added.
22 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
Tomato nutrition facts per 100 g
The values below use 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.
- Calories
- 22 kcal
- Protein
- 0.70 g
- Carbohydrate
- 3.84 g
- Fat
- 0.43 g
- Fibre
- 0.97 g
- Potassium
- 193 mg
- Vitamin C
- 17.8 mg
- Calcium
- 10 mg
Source: USDA FoodData Central Foundation record 1999634. 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
Roma tomato contains a small amount of carbohydrate, including naturally occurring sugars and fibre.
Protein
Tomato contributes very little protein and should not be counted as the protein component of a meal.
Fat
Fresh tomato is naturally very low in fat. Oil-based dressings, cheese and spreads can dominate the final calorie total.
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 tomato fits in a varied eating pattern.
Vitamin C
Raw Roma tomato provides vitamin C, although the amount varies with cultivar, ripeness and storage.
Potassium
The reference amount provides 193 mg of potassium per 100 g.
Fibre
Fresh tomato contributes some fibre, especially when the whole edible fruit is used rather than strained juice.
Lycopene
Tomatoes contain lycopene and other plant compounds not fully represented by a basic calorie-and-macro panel.
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.
Cooked
Heating changes texture and water content. Use a cooked-tomato record when it matches the food.
Canned
Canned tomatoes may include salt or other ingredients. Choose the exact canned state.
Sun-dried
Sun-dried tomato is much more concentrated by weight and may be packed in oil.
Sauce or paste
Sauce and paste have different water concentration, sodium and recipe ingredients; do not log them as fresh tomato.
PRACTICAL CONTEXT
How tomato 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
Fresh tomato adds moisture, colour and volume for relatively few calories.
Fibre goals
It contributes some fibre, while legumes, berries and whole grains can add more.
Sodium awareness
Fresh tomato is naturally low in sodium; salted canned products and sauces can be different.
Meal building
Tomato works as a vegetable component alongside protein, carbohydrate and other produce.
QUALITY & SAFETY
How to choose, store and prepare it
Choose
Select tomatoes without leaking areas, mould or extensive soft decay.
Ripen
Firm tomatoes can finish ripening at room temperature away from excessive heat.
After cutting
Cover and refrigerate cut tomato promptly.
Wash
Rinse under running water before cutting, and use a clean knife and board.
PHOTO LOGGING
How to log tomato 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
Choose fresh Roma, grape, canned, cooked, sauce, paste or sun-dried—the records differ.
- 02
Weigh the edible tomato when precision matters.
- 03
Log oil, cheese, bread, dressing and sauce ingredients separately.
- 04
For a shared salad or salsa, log your portion of the complete recipe.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Tomato calorie and nutrition questions
How many calories are in one tomato?
Tomatoes vary by type and size. An 85 g reference amount in this Roma record is about 19 calories.
Are cherry tomatoes different?
They have a separate size and may have a somewhat different nutrient profile; weight is still the best practical basis.
Does cooking add calories?
Heat does not, but water loss and added oil or sugar change calories per 100 g and per serving.
Is tomato sauce the same as tomato?
No. Sauce is more concentrated and may contain salt, oil, sugar or other ingredients.
Should I log tomato in a sandwich?
Yes for a complete record, though bread, cheese, meat, spreads and sauces usually contribute more calories.
KEEP EXPLORING
Related food guides
SOURCES & METHOD
Where these numbers come from
Values are for raw Roma tomato per 100 g edible portion. Other tomato cultivars and processed forms have separate database records.
Open USDA FoodData Central Foundation record 1999634 ↗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.