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Butter vs Semi-Skimmed Milk: Calories Compared
Semi-Skimmed Milk is lower in calories (50 vs 717 per 100g). Butter has 0.8g protein per 100g versus 3.3g in Semi-Skimmed Milk.
Per typical serving, Butter provides 100 kcal (based on a 14g portion) versus Semi-Skimmed Milk at 122 kcal (244g). The average adult needs around 2,000 calories per day, so butter contributes 5.0% and semi-skimmed milk contributes 6.1% 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 | Semi-Skimmed Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 717 kcal | 50 kcal |
| Protein | 0.8g | 3.3g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.1g | 4.8g |
| of which Sugars | 0.1g | 5.1g |
| Fat | 81.1g | 2g |
| of which Saturates | 51.4g | 1.3g |
| Fibre | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 643mg | 47mg |
| Potassium | 24mg | 140mg |
| Calcium | 24mg | 120mg |
| Iron | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0.2mg |
| Vitamin A | 684µg | 55µg |
| Selenium | 1µg | 2µg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0mg | 0.2mg |
Nutrient-by-nutrient breakdown
- Calories: Butter has more (717kcal vs 50kcal per 100g) — a difference of 667kcal. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the lower-calories option if that is your priority.
- Protein: Semi-Skimmed Milk has more (3.3g vs 0.8g per 100g) — a difference of 2.5g. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of protein here.
- Carbohydrates: Semi-Skimmed Milk has more (4.8g vs 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 4.7g.
- Sugars: Semi-Skimmed Milk has more (5.1g vs 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 5g. Butter is the lower-sugars option if that is your priority.
- Fat: Butter has more (81.1g vs 2g per 100g) — a difference of 79.1g. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the lower-fat option if that is your priority.
- Saturated fat: Butter has more (51.4g vs 1.3g per 100g) — a difference of 50.1g. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the lower-saturated fat option if that is your priority.
- Fibre: both foods contain the same amount (0g per 100g).
- Sodium: Butter has more (643mg vs 47mg per 100g) — a difference of 596mg. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the lower-sodium option if that is your priority.
- Potassium: Semi-Skimmed Milk has more (140mg vs 24mg per 100g) — a difference of 116mg. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of potassium here.
- Calcium: Semi-Skimmed Milk has more (120mg vs 24mg per 100g) — a difference of 96mg. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of calcium here.
- Iron: both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
- Vitamin c: Semi-Skimmed Milk has more (0mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 0mg. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of vitamin C here.
- Vitamin a: Butter has more (684µg vs 55µg per 100g) — a difference of 629µg. Butter is the stronger source of vitamin A here.
- Selenium: Semi-Skimmed Milk has more (2µg vs 1µg per 100g) — a difference of 1µg. Semi-Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of selenium here.
- Riboflavin (b2): Semi-Skimmed Milk has more (0mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 0mg. Semi-Skimmed Milk 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 | Semi-Skimmed Milk | % 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, Semi-Skimmed Milk is the lower-calorie option at 50 kcal per 100g. If you need more protein, Semi-Skimmed Milk provides more at 3.3g per 100g. For lower carbohydrates, Butter has fewer carbs at 0.1g per 100g.
Both butter and semi-skimmed milk 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 Semi-Skimmed Milk?
Butter has 717 calories per 100g while Semi-Skimmed Milk has 50 calories per 100g. Butter is higher in calories by 667 kcal per 100g.
Which has more protein, Butter or Semi-Skimmed Milk?
Butter contains 0.8g of protein per 100g. Semi-Skimmed Milk contains 3.3g of protein per 100g. Semi-Skimmed Milk has more protein.
Is Butter healthier than Semi-Skimmed Milk?
Butter has 717 kcal, 0.8g protein, 0.1g carbs and 81.1g fat per 100g. Semi-Skimmed Milk has 50 kcal, 3.3g protein, 4.8g carbs and 2g 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 Semi-Skimmed Milk?
Butter contains 0g of fibre per 100g, and Semi-Skimmed Milk 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 Semi-Skimmed Milk?
A typical 1 tablespoon of butter (14g) is around 100 calories. A typical 1 glass of semi-skimmed milk (244g) is around 122 calories — a difference of 22 kcal per serving in favour of butter.
Can I substitute Butter for Semi-Skimmed Milk 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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Figures per 100g from the USDA FoodData Central database (CC0 1.0).