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Sugar Limit Calculator

Work out sugar limit instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Sugar Limit Calculator

Converts the WHO free sugar recommendations into grams and teaspoons, and compares them with current intake.

Formula

WHO free sugar limits

Limit (g) = energy intake x 10% (or 5%) / 4 kcal per gram; one teaspoon of sugar is about 4 g

Worked example

With the default values below, Sugar Limit Calculator returns Free sugar limit of 60.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Daily energy intakeaccepts 800–6,000 kcal
2,400 kcal
Standardone of WHO strong recommendation (under 10% of energy), WHO conditional recommendation (under 5%)
WHO strong recommendation (under 10% of energy)
Current free sugar intakeaccepts 0–400 g
70 g

Results

Free sugar limit
60.0 g
Limit in teaspoons
15.0
Intake above the limit
10.0 g
Current free sugars as a share of energy
11.67%

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2WHO free sugar limits
  3. 3Free sugar limit= 60.0 g
  4. 4Limit in teaspoons= 15.0
  5. 5Intake above the limit= 10.0 g
  6. 6Current free sugars as a share of energy= 11.67

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as free sugars?

All added sugars plus those naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices, but not sugars within whole fruit or milk.

How does this compare with AHA advice?

The American Heart Association suggests no more than 25 g a day for women and 36 g for men, which is often stricter.

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