How Many Calories Are In The Filet O Fish? | Quick Calorie Facts

One McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish has 380 calories; the Double has 530, and a medium combo averages about 950 calories.

Calories In McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish: What To Expect

The single sandwich is listed at 380 calories in the U.S. The Double version lands at 530. Order the classic combo with medium fries and a medium soft drink and you’re around 950. Those three numbers tell you most of what you need for quick tracking on a busy day.

Why the spread? The fish patty is breaded and fried, the bun is steamed, a slice of American cheese adds richness, and the tartar sauce brings creamy calories. Swaps and portion tweaks move the total up or down fast. You’ll find an at-a-glance breakdown in the first table below.

Filet-O-Fish Calorie Snapshot

Here’s a compact view of the standard listings and the most common upgrade:

Item Calories (U.S.) Notes
Single Sandwich 380 Listed on the product page.
Double Sandwich 530 Two patties, cheese, tartar sauce.
Medium Meal ≈950 Sandwich + medium fries + medium soft drink.

Portion planning gets easier once you set your daily calorie needs and decide how much room you want to give this sandwich during the day.

What Drives The Calorie Count

Breading And Frying

The fish patty is coated, fried, and then assembled on a steamed bun. That coating locks in moisture and adds crunch. It also contributes most of the sandwich’s fat and a good share of the calories.

Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is mayo-based. A full spread is creamy and flavorful, but it’s also calorie-dense. Lightening the spread or asking for it on the side can trim the total.

Cheese Slice

One slice of American cheese adds a small but noticeable bump. If you love the melty bite, keep it. If you’re saving calories for fries or a shake later, skipping the slice is a clean trade.

Bun

The steamed bun brings soft texture and a mild sweetness. It adds carbs and a modest calorie load. Going bun-less isn’t standard at most counters, but you can ask for “no bun, box it,” then pair the patty with a side salad if available.

How The Meal Adds Up

Pairing the sandwich with medium fries and a medium soft drink moves you near 950 calories based on McDonald’s listing for that bundle. That number shifts if you change sizes, swap the drink, or choose a different side. Ice levels, syrup targets, and regional fry sizes also nudge the total.

If you want a ballpark from the fish alone, Alaska pollock is a lean protein. Cooked portions run low in fat and carbs, while protein sits near the top among white fish. That means most of the sandwich’s calories come from the breading, bun, sauce, and cheese rather than the fish itself.

Simple Ways To Nudge Calories Down

Light Sauce Or Sauce On The Side

A light spread cuts dense calories without changing the core flavor. Ask for a “light tartar” or for packets on the side so you can control it.

Skip The Cheese

Dropping the slice trims a small chunk. If you miss the savory note, add a lemon wedge or extra pickles where available.

Smaller Sides

Trade medium fries for a small, go with water or unsweetened tea, or add apple slices where listed. Those swaps can drop the meal by a few hundred calories, depending on sizes and the drink you choose.

Regional Listings Vary

Menus are localized. The same sandwich can carry a slightly different number in other countries due to recipe tweaks, bread weights, or condiment targets. Here’s a quick cross-market snapshot:

Market Listed Calories Source Note
United States 380 kcal Official product page.
Canada 400 kcal Canadian product page shows 400.
United Kingdom 316 kcal UK listing shows 316 kcal (1324 kJ).

Smart Orders For Different Goals

Keep It Light

Order the single sandwich, ask for light tartar, and choose water. If fries are a must, pick the smallest size and enjoy them slowly.

Balanced Treat

Stick with the classic build and pair it with a small fry or a side salad where available. A zero-calorie or low-calorie drink keeps the total in check.

Hearty Craving

Pick the Double. Keep the cheese and sauce. If you want the full diner-style experience, add fries and a soft drink, and plan the rest of your day’s meals around that choice.

What The Fish Brings To The Table

The patty is made with Alaska pollock in the U.S. This white fish is naturally lean and delivers quality protein. On its own, a cooked serving of pollock is low in fat and has essentially no carbs, which is why most calories in the finished sandwich come from coating, bun, and condiments rather than the fish.

Comparing Sandwich Vs. Double

The jump from single to Double adds a second patty, more coating, and a touch more sauce and cheese. That’s why the listing moves from 380 to 530. If you’re hungry and want the bigger bite, plan your sides with intent so the full meal doesn’t run away from your target.

Quick Ordering Tips That Work In Real Life

Ask For Light Tartar

Many counters can do a lighter spread on request. You still get the tang without as many dense calories.

Split The Fries

Sharing a medium order trims your total automatically without changing your main item.

Go Zero-Calorie On Drinks

Unsweetened tea, water, or a diet soda keeps the combo nearest the sandwich total.

Why These Numbers Are Reliable

Calories for branded items come from the chain’s own nutrition listings, which are based on standard builds and serving sizes. Kitchen variation and regional recipes still create small swings, so treat the numbers as accurate targets rather than lab-exact for every single sandwich made in every store.

Bottom Line For Calorie Tracking

The single sandwich is 380 calories. The Double is 530. A typical medium combo sits near 950. From there, your choices on sauce, cheese, sides, and drink set the final total. If you plan the rest of your day with those targets in mind, you can fit this classic into a balanced week without the guesswork. Want a longer primer on calorie budgeting? Try our calories and weight loss guide.