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Butter vs Skimmed Milk: Calories Compared
Skimmed Milk is lower in calories (34 vs 717 per 100g). Butter has 0.8g protein per 100g versus 3.4g in Skimmed Milk.
Per typical serving, Butter provides 100 kcal (based on a 14g portion) versus Skimmed Milk at 83 kcal (245g). The average adult needs around 2,000 calories per day, so butter contributes 5.0% and skimmed milk contributes 4.2% 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 | Skimmed Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 717 kcal | 34 kcal |
| Protein | 0.8g | 3.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.1g | 5g |
| of which Sugars | 0.1g | 5.1g |
| Fat | 81.1g | 0.1g |
| of which Saturates | 51.4g | 0.1g |
| Fibre | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 643mg | 42mg |
| Potassium | 24mg | 156mg |
| Calcium | 24mg | 122mg |
| Iron | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin A | 684µg | 61µg |
| Selenium | 1µg | 3µg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0mg | 0.2mg |
Nutrient-by-nutrient breakdown
- Calories: Butter has more (717kcal vs 34kcal per 100g) — a difference of 683kcal. Skimmed Milk is the lower-calories option if that is your priority.
- Protein: Skimmed Milk has more (3.4g vs 0.8g per 100g) — a difference of 2.6g. Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of protein here.
- Carbohydrates: Skimmed Milk has more (5g vs 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 4.9g.
- Sugars: 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 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 81g. Skimmed Milk is the lower-fat option if that is your priority.
- Saturated fat: Butter has more (51.4g vs 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 51.3g. 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 42mg per 100g) — a difference of 601mg. Skimmed Milk is the lower-sodium option if that is your priority.
- Potassium: Skimmed Milk has more (156mg vs 24mg per 100g) — a difference of 132mg. Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of potassium here.
- Calcium: Skimmed Milk has more (122mg vs 24mg per 100g) — a difference of 98mg. Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of calcium here.
- Iron: both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
- Vitamin c: both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
- Vitamin a: Butter has more (684µg vs 61µg per 100g) — a difference of 623µg. Butter is the stronger source of vitamin A here.
- Selenium: Skimmed Milk has more (3µg vs 1µg per 100g) — a difference of 2µg. Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of selenium here.
- Riboflavin (b2): Skimmed Milk has more (0mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 0mg. 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 | 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, Skimmed Milk is the lower-calorie option at 34 kcal per 100g. If you need more protein, Skimmed Milk provides more at 3.4g per 100g. For lower carbohydrates, Butter has fewer carbs at 0.1g per 100g.
Both butter and 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 Skimmed Milk?
Butter has 717 calories per 100g while Skimmed Milk has 34 calories per 100g. Butter is higher in calories by 683 kcal per 100g.
Which has more protein, Butter or Skimmed Milk?
Butter contains 0.8g of protein per 100g. Skimmed Milk contains 3.4g of protein per 100g. Skimmed Milk has more protein.
Is Butter healthier than Skimmed Milk?
Butter has 717 kcal, 0.8g protein, 0.1g carbs and 81.1g fat per 100g. Skimmed Milk has 34 kcal, 3.4g protein, 5g carbs and 0.1g 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 Skimmed Milk?
Butter contains 0g of fibre per 100g, and 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 Skimmed Milk?
A typical 1 tablespoon of butter (14g) is around 100 calories. A typical 1 glass of skimmed milk (245g) is around 83 calories — a difference of 17 kcal per serving in favour of skimmed milk.
Can I substitute Butter for 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).