How Many Calories Are In Slice Of Cheese? | Quick Facts Guide

Cheese Slice Calories By Type (Quick Range)

Calories ride on water and fat. Fresher styles keep more moisture and land lower on the scale, while aged styles pack more solids in the same weight. The list below uses a standard 1 oz (28 g) slice so you can compare apples to apples across a deli case.

Cheese Style (1 oz/28 g)	Calories Per Slice	Notes
Part-Skim Mozzarella	~83 kcal	Leanest common option; good melt.
Whole-Milk Mozzarella	~85 kcal	Slightly richer than part-skim.
Provolone	~98–100 kcal	Mild-to-sharp; melts cleanly.
Gouda	~100–101 kcal	Buttery flavor; semi-hard.
American (processed)	~104 kcal	Consistent slices; easy melt.
Monterey Jack	~104–106 kcal	Soft bite; pepper jack runs similar.
Swiss	~106–110 kcal	Nuttier taste; lower sodium than many.
Cheddar	~114 kcal	Aged = denser; watch slice thickness.

These figures reflect typical database entries per 1 oz slice, such as the USDA FoodData Central records for cheddar, swiss, and mozzarella. Differences across brands and moisture levels add a few calories either way, so use the numbers as a planning range rather than an exact math to the decimal.

What Counts As A “Slice”?

At the counter, a single slice often sits near 25–30 g. Pre-cut packs label a serving at 1 slice but still use 28 g for nutrition math. If you cut at home, measure once with a kitchen scale so your “one slice” matches the numbers in this guide. Thin-cut slices can drop to ~20 g, while thick pub-style cuts can hit 35 g or more.

How To Trim Calories Without Losing Cheese Flavor

Pick Lower-Calorie Styles

Fresh or part-skim options shave calories while keeping protein. Part-skim mozzarella runs near the low end of the range, while gouda and provolone sit in the middle. Cheddar and swiss carry more energy per bite.

Change Slice Size, Not Taste

Ask for thinner cuts or halve a thick slice. You still get the aroma and melt, just with better control. Sandwiches often taste the same with a thinner layer since condiments, veggies, and bread bring their own flavor stack.

Budget Cheese Into Your Day

Pair slices with lean proteins and produce, and steer portions with your own daily calorie needs. This helps the math stay simple across meals when you want a sharper cheese at lunch or a lighter slice at dinner.

Calorie Math By Thickness (Handy Benchmarks)

Use these quick conversions to gauge calories from slice weight. Values below use the common “per gram” energy for two popular styles.

Slice Thickness	Cheddar (kcal)	Part-Skim Mozzarella (kcal)
Thin (~20 g)	~81	~59
Standard (~28 g)	~114	~83
Thick (~35 g)	~142	~103

Protein, Fat, And Sodium—What Changes With Style

Protein

Most firm cheeses land around 6–8 g protein per 1 oz slice. Part-skim mozzarella and swiss usually hit the mid-6 to mid-7 g zone, while cheddar sits similar. That makes a slice a handy add-on for satiety without loading carbs.

Saturated Fat

Full-fat slices can carry 4–6 g saturated fat each, while part-skim drops a bit. Keep an eye on the day’s total. The Dietary Guidelines cap this at less than 10% of daily calories; swapping in part-skim styles and trimming slice size are two easy levers.

Sodium

Salt varies a lot. Swiss tends to be lower than many sandwich cheeses; American and some processed slices sit higher. If you’re watching salt, lean on swiss or fresh mozzarella and let herbs, tomatoes, and mustards do the heavy lifting for flavor.

Smart Serving Ideas That Keep Calories In Check

Sandwiches

Go with one thinner slice and stack texture elsewhere: crunchy lettuce, sliced cucumbers, pickled onions. Toasting boosts perception of flavor so you can keep cheese weight modest.

Eggs And Skillets

Shred a half-slice over hot eggs and let carryover heat finish the melt. A little goes a long way when the shreds spread out.

Soups And Salads

Cube a thin slice into small bits and scatter through the bowl. You meet the craving while keeping the portion compact.

Label Reading: Match Your Slice To The Numbers

Serving Size

Look for “1 slice” and the weight in grams. If the pack uses 21 g or 24 g per slice, adjust the calorie math. Many labels default to 28 g even if the physical slice is thinner.

Fat Line

Compare total fat and saturated fat. Part-skim versions trim both. If your goal is weight control or you’re balancing a day with other richer foods, a leaner slice keeps the numbers steady.

Sodium Line

Swiss often reads friendlier here. Processed singles can climb fast. When a recipe brings bacon or cured meats, pick a lower-sodium cheese to keep the total in check.

Method Notes: Where The Numbers Come From

Calorie values use established nutrition databases for a 1 oz (28 g) slice of each style. For cheddar, datasets list ~114 kcal per ounce along with ~9.5 g fat and ~6.5 g protein. Part-skim mozzarella clusters near ~83 kcal per ounce, with lower fat. Swiss lands near ~106–110 kcal. These values line up with common vendor and government databases that map to the same underlying data sources. Differences on a label often reflect moisture level, aging, and brand formulation.

Make Cheese Fit Your Day

Think in slices, not blocks. One thin slice on a sandwich, one standard slice on a burger, or a half-slice melted over veggies all deliver flavor while keeping your tally neat. If lunch includes a denser cheese, dinner can use a lighter style or a smaller cut. Small moves keep room for dessert or an evening snack without blowing the target.

When To Pick Part-Skim Or Reduced-Fat

Part-skim mozzarella and reduced-fat provolone give you melt and stretch with fewer calories per bite. If a recipe leans on heavy sauces or fatty meats, a leaner cheese balances the plate. For cheese-forward dishes where taste must lead, use a little less of a bolder cheese rather than swapping styles outright.

Hitting A Daily Cap

If you track saturated fat, you can still enjoy a slice. Use a lower-fat cheese at breakfast, or save your single richer slice for dinner. Pair with vegetables and lean proteins to keep the overall pattern steady. The link in the card above lists the current limit guidance so you can set a personal cap that matches your calorie level.

Common Questions On Slice Sizes

Are Packaged Singles The Same As Deli Slices?

Not exactly. Singles are consistent and often sit near 20–24 g per piece. Deli cuts vary more, so ask for “thin” or “standard” to keep things in a familiar range.

Does Shredded Cheese Change The Math?

No—the energy per gram stays the same. The difference is scooping. A tight cup of shreds packs more grams than a loose cup. Weigh once to set your kitchen’s baseline.

Wrap-Up: Put It All Together

Pick a style that suits the dish, match the slice to your target weight, and plan around the rest of the meal. You’ll get the flavor you want without guessing at the numbers. If you want breakfast ideas that hit protein targets while keeping cals tight, try our high protein breakfast ideas.