How many calories are in apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar has very few calories: USDA data list 21 kcal per 100 g, so a tablespoon (14.9 g) has about 3 kcal. It contains 0.93 g of carbohydrate and 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g, and no fat, protein or caffeine. Flavoured or sweetened vinegar drinks can contain much more.

Updated 2026-10-02

Nutrition per serving (USDA)

Amount	Energy	Carbohydrate	Sugars
100 g	21 kcal	0.93 g	0.4 g
1 tablespoon (14.9 g)	about 3 kcal (21 × 0.149)	about 0.14 g	about 0.06 g
1 teaspoon (5 g)	about 1 kcal (21 × 0.05)	about 0.05 g	about 0.02 g

Source: USDA FoodData Central, "Vinegar, cider" (FDC 173469), which lists 0 g of fat and protein and 0 mg of caffeine. [1]

Why so few calories?

Apple cider vinegar is made in two fermentations: yeast turns the apple sugar into alcohol, then acetic acid bacteria turn the alcohol into acetic acid. [2] Little sugar is left, and USDA lists the vinegar at 93.81 g of water per 100 g. [1] The process is explained in how apple cider vinegar is made, and the fermentation step is described in the glossary entry for fermentation.

What about apple cider vinegar drinks and gummies?

Products sold as drinks, shots or gummies may contain added sugar, juice or sweeteners, so their calories can be much higher than plain vinegar. Read the nutrition label of the product you are using.

How does it compare with cider?

Per 100 g (USDA)	Apple cider vinegar	Hard cider
Energy	21 kcal	56 kcal
Sugars	0.4 g	5.92 g

Sources: [1] [3]. For cider, see how many calories are in cider.

Related on Cider Radar

Guide: what is cider? · Glossary: fermentation

Questions

How many calories in a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar?

About 1 kcal: a teaspoon is 5 g in USDA data, and 21 kcal per 100 g × 0.05 ≈ 1 kcal. [1]

Does apple cider vinegar help weight loss?

We don't give health advice, and this answer makes no health claims. For diet questions, ask a doctor or registered dietitian.

Why does vinegar have fewer calories than cider?

In vinegar, bacteria turn the alcohol from the first fermentation into acetic acid. [2] Hard cider has 56 kcal per 100 g in USDA data [3]; see how many calories are in cider.