How many carbs are in carrots?
Carrots has 5.9 g of total carbs per 1 medium (61 g) — about 4.2 g net carbs after 1.7 g of fiber. That's 9.6 g of carbs per 100 g, roughly 2% of the 275 g Daily Value.
USDA FoodData Central · raw · FDC 170393
Carbs by portion
| Portion | Total carbs | Net carbs | Fiber | Sugar | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 medium (61 g) | 5.9 g | 4.2 g | 1.7 g | 2.9 g | 25 |
| 100 g | 9.6 g | 6.8 g | 2.8 g | 4.7 g | 41 |
| 1 oz (28 g) | 2.7 g | 1.9 g | 0.8 g | 1.3 g | 12 |
Net carbs = total carbs − fiber (the carbs that raise blood sugar, used in keto/low-carb tracking). Values computed from USDA per-100 g data (FDC 170393, SR Legacy). raw.
Carrots get an unfair reputation in low-carb circles, and the actual numbers clear it up fast. One medium carrot (61 g) carries only about 6 g of total carbohydrate, which is 9.6 g per 100 g. Take out the 1.7 g of fiber and you’re left with roughly 4 g of net carbs. That’s a tiny amount — less than a tablespoon of ketchup — so the worry that “carrots are too carby for keto” is, for any reasonable portion, a myth.
Where the “carrots are carby” myth comes from
Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber, and a carrot’s total is already low before you subtract anything. Of its ~6 g of carbohydrate, about 2.9 g is sugar and 1.7 g is fiber, leaving the ~4 g net figure. Per 100 g that’s 9.6 g carbs, 2.8 g fiber, 4.7 g sugar, for only about 25 calories a carrot. So where did the reputation come from? Mostly glycemic index — cooked carrots score moderately high, which got mistranslated into “carrots are full of carbs.” But glycemic index measures how fast, not how much, and the actual carbohydrate in a whole raw carrot is small. Even a full cup of chopped carrots only reaches about 8.7 g net.
What this means for keto and low-carb
For keto, carrots are an easy yes in normal amounts: at ~4 g net carbs each, a carrot or two fits comfortably inside a strict 20 g daily budget, and on any moderate low-carb plan they’re a non-issue. The only real caveat is quantity and form — a big pile of cooked carrots, or carrot juice (which strips the fiber and concentrates the sugar), can add up, so those deserve more attention. But whole carrots, raw or roasted, in sensible portions, are one of the more low-carb-friendly vegetables you can snack on, fiber and all.
Carrots are about beta-carotene and crunch far more than macros — there’s almost no protein either, as you’d expect. For that side of the picture, see protein in carrots. And for glazed or candied carrots, check the recipe, since added sugar is what would actually push the carb count up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many carbs are in a carrot?
About 6 g of total carbohydrate in one medium carrot (61 g), which is 9.6 g per 100 g (USDA FDC 170393). With about 1.7 g of fiber, the net carbs come out to roughly 4 g — a small number that quietly debunks the idea that carrots are too carby to eat.
What are the net carbs in carrots?
Roughly 4 g net carbs per medium carrot — total carbs (~6 g) minus the ~1.7 g of fiber. That's genuinely low. The 'carrots are carby' reputation comes from their glycemic index, not the actual carb count, which is modest in any normal portion.
How much of carrots' carbs are sugar versus fiber?
A mix, with plenty of fiber. A medium carrot has about 2.9 g of sugar and 1.7 g of fiber out of its ~6 g total carbs. The decent fiber share is part of why net carbs stay around 4 g and why carrots digest more gently than their sweetness suggests.
Are carrots keto or low-carb? Are they too carby for keto?
Carrots fit both, and the 'too carby for keto' worry is largely a myth. At ~4 g net carbs each, a carrot or two slots easily into a 20 g keto day, and they're an easy fit on any low-carb plan. The caution only applies if you eat large amounts of cooked or juiced carrots — whole, in reasonable portions, they're fine.
How many carbs are in a cup of chopped carrots?
A cup of chopped raw carrots is about 128 g, so roughly 12.3 g of total carbs and around 8.7 g net carbs (after ~3.6 g fiber). Even a full cup of carrot sticks stays under 9 g net — a comfortable low-carb snack.
When was this data last verified?
2026-06-04, against USDA FoodData Central FDC 170393 (Carrots, raw; SR Legacy). We re-verify reference pages periodically and update when USDA revises the entry.
Whole-food values are USDA reference data, not a Labelgrade (that score is for branded packaged products). See our methodology and the macro calculator to turn this into a daily target.