How Many Calories Are In One Cucumber? | Crisp Facts

Calories In One Cucumber: Sizes, Styles, And Peels

Here’s the short math that keeps grocery trips easy. Cucumber sits at roughly 15–16 calories per 100 grams. That means size and prep drive the total. A smaller Persian one lands near 12–20 calories, a standard medium sits close to 30, and a long English cucumber can push 40–50 if you eat the whole thing.

To make the numbers practical, the table below uses reasonable weights you’ll see in stores. Treat these as ballpark ranges, not lab readings.

Type Or Size	Typical Weight	Calories (Approx.)
Small / Persian	80–120 g each	12–20
Medium Slicing	180–220 g each	27–35
Long English	250–320 g each	38–50
One Cup Slices	~100–110 g	15–18
Half Cup Slices	~50–55 g	7–9

Those ranges line up with authoritative datasets that place cucumber near 16 calories per cup and about 15–16 per 100 grams. You can spot the same pattern in FDA’s raw vegetable table and in USDA tools that aggregate lab analyses for fresh produce.

Portion planning gets easier once you set your daily calorie needs. Then cucumber can slot in as a crunchy filler that doesn’t move the needle much.

What Changes The Calorie Count

Peel On Vs Peeled

The peel doesn’t change calories much, but it does nudge fiber slightly. If texture matters to you, keep the skin for bite. If bitterness gets in the way, peel it and you’ll still stay low on calories.

Water Weight And Density

Cucumber is mostly water. That’s why a big bowl looks huge yet stays light. High volume for few calories helps with plate coverage and crunch without crowding your totals.

Salt, Dressings, And Dips

The vegetable is light; toppings decide the swing. Two tablespoons of creamy dressing can add 60–120 calories. A splash of vinegar and herbs adds almost none. Olive oil adds flavor fast—one tablespoon brings about 120 calories—so measure if you’re tracking.

Pickles And Sodium

Pickled cucumber stays low in calories, but brine can carry a lot of sodium. If you’re watching salt, check labels and rinse spears before serving.

How To Measure Without A Scale

Kitchen math should be quick and repeatable. Use visual cues and common utensils to keep portions consistent at home and on the go.

Handy Visuals

• One cup of sliced cucumber is roughly a heaping handful.
• Half a cup looks like the palm of your hand filled to the rim.
• A medium cucumber is about the length of a standard dinner knife.

Everyday Serving Ideas

• Snack plate: cucumber spears, cherry tomatoes, and a small pot of yogurt-mint dip.
• Lunch box: whole Persian cucumbers with hummus packets.
• Quick side: smashed cucumber with soy, vinegar, and chili oil.

Nutrition Snapshot Beyond Calories

Calories tell you the budget. The rest of the label tells you what you get for it. Cucumber brings water, a touch of fiber, and small amounts of vitamin K and potassium.

Why Water-Rich Veg Helps

High-water produce can help you feel like the plate is full while keeping the tally down. That helps many people stick with plans during busier weeks. It also makes it easy to nudge meals toward more plants without heavy prep.

Fiber And Micronutrients

The numbers are modest per cup, yet they add up across the day. Keep the peel on when you can. Thin ribbons or smashed pieces keep texture while sliding into salads and bowls.

You’ll find detailed figures in SNAP-Ed’s cucumber guide, which also notes that cucumbers are about 96% water.

Make Cucumber Work For Your Goal

Cutting Calories

Stack volume where it matters. Build half your plate with water-rich vegetables, then place protein and starch around it. Cucumber is an easy base for this layout.

Better Snacks

Pre-cut spears and keep them in a clear container front and center. Add a small cup of yogurt spread or salsa if you want more flavor without a big calorie swing.

Meal Prep Ideas

Chop once, eat twice. Mix a large bowl of cucumber, tomato, red onion, and herbs. Serve as a side the first day, then toss with chickpeas the next day for a quick lunch.

Serving Styles And Approximate Calories

The next table shows common ways people eat cucumber at home. Use it as a guide when you build snacks and sides.

Prep Style	Typical Serving	Calories (Approx.)
Raw, Sliced, Peel On	1 cup (~100–110 g)	15–18
Peeled Slices	1 cup (~100–110 g)	14–16
Whole Medium Cucumber	~200 g	30–32
With 2 Tbsp Yogurt Dip	1 cup slices + dip	45–80
With 1 Tbsp Olive Oil	1 cup slices + oil	135–140

Smart Shopping And Storage

Picking Good Cucumbers

Choose firm, heavy cucumbers with smooth skin and no soft spots. Wrinkling or dull color hints at age. English cucumbers often come wrapped; keep the wrap on until you’re ready to use them.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate in a breathable bag. Avoid the coldest back corner to prevent chilling injury. Keep cut pieces in a sealed box with a paper towel to manage moisture.

Quick Checks That People Ask

Does Cucumber Have Sugar?

A cup has around 2 grams of natural sugars along with water and a little fiber. That’s why taste reads fresh, not sweet.

Is Cucumber Good For Hydration?

It helps. Produce contributes to daily fluids, and cucumber is mostly water. Pair it with a glass of water to round out the goal.

What About Pickles And Calories?

Dill pickles stay light. Sweet relish and bread-and-butter pickles add sugar, so scan labels if you’re counting.

Bring It All Together

Calories per cucumber stay tiny while portions look big. That’s the charm. Build salads, stack sandwiches, and fill snack plates. If you want a deeper guide next, see our low calorie foods list.