Food Calorie Calculator
Identify foods from a photo, confirm the USDA match, enter the weight you ate, and calculate calories.
No foods in your meal yet
Confirm a photo result or search by name.
Calculate food calories from a photo and confirmed weight
The photo step suggests visible food names. You remain in control: confirm the food, choose the closest USDA entry, and enter the weight you ate before calories are calculated.
1. Identify
Upload a clear meal photo to generate a short list of visible foods and alternative names.
2. Confirm and weigh
Correct any mistaken name, select the closest USDA preparation, and enter the measured weight in grams.
3. Calculate
The calculator applies the database calories per 100 grams and keeps every row editable.
Why the calculator asks for weight
A single photo does not provide a dependable scale and cannot reveal hidden oil, sugar, fillings, or sauces. Asking you for weight avoids presenting a visual guess as a measurement.
For mixed dishes, add visible components separately when possible and use a manual row for ingredients that are not represented by the selected database item.
Choosing a USDA match
Preparation matters. Raw chicken, roasted chicken breast, breaded chicken, and fried chicken have different energy densities. Read the complete USDA description and choose the entry closest to what you ate.
Important limitations
- Food identification from a photo may be incorrect and must be confirmed by the user.
- Nutrition database values are averages and may differ by brand, recipe, and preparation.
- Hidden oils, dressings, drinks, and side dishes should be added separately.
- This tool is for general information and is not medical or dietary advice.
Frequently asked questions
- How does photo food identification work?
- Upload a clear meal photo to receive suggested names for visible foods. Confirm or correct every suggestion, select the closest USDA FoodData Central entry, and enter the weight you ate before calculating calories.
- Does the calculator estimate food weight from the photo?
- No. A single photo does not provide a dependable scale. You enter the measured or known weight in grams for each food.
- How accurate is food identification from a photo?
- It is not guaranteed to be correct. Similar dishes, mixed meals, sauces, and partly hidden foods can be misidentified. The suggestions are a starting point and must be confirmed by the user.
- Where do the calorie values come from?
- Confirmed foods are matched to USDA FoodData Central. The calculator applies the selected entry’s calories per 100 grams to the weight you enter.
- What should I do about oils, dressings, and sauces?
- Add them as separate foods because they may not be visible in the photo and can materially change the total. Use By name search or add a manual row from known label information.
- Can I calculate calories without uploading a photo?
- Yes. Open the By name tab, search for each food, choose the closest USDA entry, enter its weight, and add it to the meal.
- Where is my data stored?
- Saved totals use local storage in this browser. An uploaded photo is processed for the recognition request and is not added to saved history. The configured recognition provider’s data handling terms also apply to the request.
- Do visitors need an API key?
- No. Visitors do not enter a key. Photo identification is available only when the site operator has configured the recognition service, while USDA search is handled by the site backend.
- Why can actual calories differ from the result?
- Actual values vary with brand, recipe, preparation, water content, hidden ingredients, sauces, and added oil. Nutrition database entries are reference values rather than laboratory measurements of your exact meal.
- Is this medical or dietitian advice?
- No. This calculator is for general information only. For allergies, medical conditions, or therapeutic diets, consult a qualified clinician or registered dietitian.
Not medical advice. For daily targets, use the Calorie Calculator.