For coffee lovers watching their waistline, nothing beats a fresh cup of joe. But if you are tracking your macros or practicing intermittent fasting, you might find yourself asking: does black coffee have calories?
The short answer is yes, but the amount is negligible.
Black coffee is simply brewed coffee beans and water, with no added milk, sugar, cream, or flavorings. Because water has zero calories and coffee beans yield very few macronutrients during brewing, black coffee calories are incredibly low.
Generally, an 8-ounce cup of black coffee contains about 2 calories.
Whether you are drinking it for the caffeine boost or the rich flavor, you can rest assured that your morning ritual won’t ruin your diet.
Quick Answer: How Many Calories in Black Coffee?
If you are looking for the exact numbers for your calorie tracker, here is what you need to know.
According to the USDA, a standard 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains approximately 2 calories. Because the count is so low, the FDA allows products with fewer than 5 calories per serving to be labeled as “zero calorie.” This is why calories for black coffee are often rounded down to zero on nutrition labels.
Why Black Coffee Has Calories
If water is calorie-free and caffeine is a non-caloric stimulant, where do those 2 calories come from?
Calories in a cup of coffee black come from the coffee beans themselves. Coffee beans contain natural oils, tiny amounts of protein, and mono-unsaturated fats. When you brew coffee, trace amounts of these oils and carbohydrates are extracted into the water.
These traces are what give coffee its distinct aroma and mouthfeel. However, unless you are eating the coffee beans whole (which are much higher in calories), the liquid extraction is minimal enough to be considered “free” energy by most nutritionists.
Calories by Serving Size & Brew Method
While the standard is 2 calories per cup, the volume you drink changes the math. If you grab a “Venti” from a coffee shop, you aren’t drinking just one cup.
Here is a breakdown of how many calories in a cup of black coffee based on size:
| Serving Size (oz) | Common Name | Estimated Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | Espresso Shot | ~1 calorie |
| 6 oz | Small Cup | ~1.5 calories |
| 8 oz | Standard Mug | ~2.4 calories |
| 12 oz | Tall / Medium | ~3.5 calories |
| 16 oz | Grande / Large | ~5 calories |
Espresso Calories vs. Brewed Coffee
Espresso calories are more concentrated than drip coffee because the brewing process extracts more oils and solids. However, because the serving size is so small (1 to 2 ounces), the total calorie count remains roughly the same as a small cup of drip coffee.
Decaf Coffee
Does removing caffeine change the number? Calories in black coffee 1 cup (decaf) are virtually identical to regular coffee. The decaffeination process removes caffeine, not the oils or proteins that contribute to the calorie count.
What Actually Increases Coffee Calories
The reason coffee gets a bad reputation for calories isn’t the bean it’s the coffee add-ins calories.
As soon as you add sugar or dairy, the profile changes from a zero-calorie drink to a potential calorie bomb. To keep your drink low-calorie, you must stick to black coffee without sugar calories or milk.
Here is how common additions change the calories in a cup of coffee black:
| Add-in (1 Tablespoon) | Calories Added |
|---|---|
| Black Coffee (Plain) | 0-2 |
| Skim Milk | 5 |
| Whole Milk | 9 |
| Half-and-Half | 20 |
| Heavy Cream | 52 |
| Sugar (1 tsp) | 16 |
| Butter (Bulletproof style) | 102 |
If you are tracking 1 cup black coffee calories, be sure you aren’t accidentally pouring “just a splash” of cream, which can easily add 50+ calories.
Black Coffee for Weight Loss
Because black coffee without milk calories is so low, it is an excellent tool for weight management.
Replacing a 200-calorie sugary latte with a 2-calorie cup of black coffee creates an immediate calorie deficit. Additionally, caffeine is a natural metabolic booster. Some studies suggest it can slightly increase your metabolic rate, helping you burn more fat at rest.
However, coffee is not a magic pill. It works best as a low-calorie alternative to high-sugar beverages like soda or juice.
Does Black Coffee Break a Fast?
This is one of the most common questions for intermittent fasters.
Does black coffee break a fast? Generally, no.
To remain in a fasted state, you must avoid triggering an insulin response. Because **how many calories are in a cup of coffee black** is so low (under 5 calories), it does not trigger a metabolic break in your fast.
Intermittent Fasting Coffee Rules:
Allowed: Plain black coffee, espresso, Americanos (water + espresso).
Not Allowed: Sugar, milk, creamer, collagen powder, or MCT oil (if strict fasting).
If you are fasting for weight loss, black coffee is your best friend. It suppresses appetite and gives you energy without the caloric cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but very few. An 8oz cup has roughly 2 to 2.4 calories. This comes from trace amounts of protein and oils in the beans
Instant coffee has roughly the same count, usually about 2 to 4 calories per teaspoon of powder (which makes one cup).
No. Because the calorie count is negligible and it contains no sugar, it does not spike insulin and preserves your fasted state.
Yes. Decaf coffee has the same nutritional profile as regular coffee, just without the caffeine. It contains about 0 to 2 calories per cup.
Calorie tracking apps often round numbers or use different database sources. Some sources account for different bean varieties or oil content. However, for dietary purposes, anything under 5 calories is considered metabolically insignificant.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a guilt-free drink, you can stop worrying about black coffee calories.
With only ~2 calories per cup, it is one of the most diet-friendly beverages on the planet. The danger rarely lies in the coffee itself, but in the sugar, syrups, and creams we stir into it.
Keep it simple, keep it black, and enjoy your brew without the stress.
