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Butter vs Cheddar Cheese: Calories Compared
Cheddar Cheese is lower in calories (404 vs 717 per 100g). Butter has 0.8g protein per 100g versus 22.9g in Cheddar Cheese.
Per typical serving, Butter provides 100 kcal (based on a 14g portion) versus Cheddar Cheese at 113 kcal (28g). The average adult needs around 2,000 calories per day, so butter contributes 5.0% and cheddar cheese contributes 5.7% of that daily target per serving. Getting these numbers right for your own portions starts with a digital kitchen scale.
Full nutrition comparison (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Butter | Cheddar Cheese |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 717 kcal | 404 kcal |
| Protein | 0.8g | 22.9g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.1g | 3.1g |
| of which Sugars | 0.1g | 0.5g |
| Fat | 81.1g | 33.3g |
| of which Saturates | 51.4g | 18.9g |
| Fibre | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 643mg | 653mg |
| Potassium | 24mg | 76mg |
| Calcium | 24mg | 710mg |
| Iron | 0mg | 0.1mg |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin A | 684µg | 330µg |
| Selenium | 1µg | 28µg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0mg | 0.4mg |
Nutrient-by-nutrient breakdown
- Calories: Butter has more (717kcal vs 404kcal per 100g) — a difference of 313kcal. Cheddar Cheese is the lower-calories option if that is your priority.
- Protein: Cheddar Cheese has more (22.9g vs 0.8g per 100g) — a difference of 22.1g. Cheddar Cheese is the stronger source of protein here.
- Carbohydrates: Cheddar Cheese has more (3.1g vs 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 3g.
- Sugars: Cheddar Cheese has more (0.5g vs 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 0.4g. Butter is the lower-sugars option if that is your priority.
- Fat: Butter has more (81.1g vs 33.3g per 100g) — a difference of 47.8g. Cheddar Cheese is the lower-fat option if that is your priority.
- Saturated fat: Butter has more (51.4g vs 18.9g per 100g) — a difference of 32.5g. Cheddar Cheese is the lower-saturated fat option if that is your priority.
- Fibre: both foods contain the same amount (0g per 100g).
- Sodium: Cheddar Cheese has more (653mg vs 643mg per 100g) — a difference of 10mg. Butter is the lower-sodium option if that is your priority.
- Potassium: Cheddar Cheese has more (76mg vs 24mg per 100g) — a difference of 52mg. Cheddar Cheese is the stronger source of potassium here.
- Calcium: Cheddar Cheese has more (710mg vs 24mg per 100g) — a difference of 686mg. Cheddar Cheese is the stronger source of calcium here.
- Iron: Cheddar Cheese has more (0mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 0mg. Cheddar Cheese is the stronger source of iron here.
- Vitamin c: both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
- Vitamin a: Butter has more (684µg vs 330µg per 100g) — a difference of 354µg. Butter is the stronger source of vitamin A here.
- Selenium: Cheddar Cheese has more (28µg vs 1µg per 100g) — a difference of 27µg. Cheddar Cheese is the stronger source of selenium here.
- Riboflavin (b2): Cheddar Cheese has more (0mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 0mg. Cheddar Cheese is the stronger source of riboflavin (B2) here.
Live serving-size calculator
Enter any amount for each food — every figure below recalculates instantly, with % of daily value shown for each nutrient (based on a standard 2,000-calorie reference diet).
| Nutrient | Butter | % DV | Cheddar Cheese | % DV |
|---|
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet, the same basis used on nutrition labels in the US and UK. Figures update live as you change the amounts above — no page reload.
Substituting one for the other
In baking and cooking, dairy substitutions usually work best when fat content is similar — swapping a higher-fat dairy product for a lower-fat one can affect texture, moisture and how a recipe sets, even when the flavour is close.
Useful for comparing these foods
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Which should you choose?
If your priority is fewer calories, Cheddar Cheese is the lower-calorie option at 404 kcal per 100g. If you need more protein, Cheddar Cheese provides more at 22.9g per 100g. For lower carbohydrates, Butter has fewer carbs at 0.1g per 100g.
Both butter and cheddar cheese can form part of a healthy, balanced diet. The best choice depends on your individual goals — whether that is weight management, muscle building, or simply hitting your daily nutritional targets. A meal prep container set makes it easy to portion whichever you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more calories, Butter or Cheddar Cheese?
Butter has 717 calories per 100g while Cheddar Cheese has 404 calories per 100g. Butter is higher in calories by 313 kcal per 100g.
Which has more protein, Butter or Cheddar Cheese?
Butter contains 0.8g of protein per 100g. Cheddar Cheese contains 22.9g of protein per 100g. Cheddar Cheese has more protein.
Is Butter healthier than Cheddar Cheese?
Butter has 717 kcal, 0.8g protein, 0.1g carbs and 81.1g fat per 100g. Cheddar Cheese has 404 kcal, 22.9g protein, 3.1g carbs and 33.3g fat per 100g. Which is healthier depends on your goals — higher protein, lower calorie and lower fat foods are generally preferred for weight management.
Which has more fibre, Butter or Cheddar Cheese?
Butter contains 0g of fibre per 100g, and Cheddar Cheese contains 0g per 100g. Butter has more fibre. Fibre supports digestion and helps with feeling fuller for longer.
How many calories per serving — Butter vs Cheddar Cheese?
A typical 1 tablespoon of butter (14g) is around 100 calories. A typical 1 slice of cheddar cheese (28g) is around 113 calories — a difference of 13 kcal per serving in favour of butter.
Can I substitute Butter for Cheddar Cheese in recipes?
In baking and cooking, dairy substitutions usually work best when fat content is similar — swapping a higher-fat dairy product for a lower-fat one can affect texture, moisture and how a recipe sets, even when the flavour is close.
Track both accurately
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Calorie Tracking Journal
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Figures per 100g from the USDA FoodData Central database (CC0 1.0).