How Heavy Is One Large Banana? A Complete Weight and Nutrition Guide

December 7, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a large banana, which is classified as being 8 to 8 7/8 inches long, has an average weight of 136 grams. This specific measurement is crucial for bakers and nutrition-conscious individuals who need accurate ingredient data to ensure perfect results and precise dietary tracking.

Quick Summary

A large banana (8-9 inches) typically weighs 136 grams (4.8 oz), though weight varies with ripeness, variety, and whether the peel is removed, affecting calories and nutritional content.

Key Points

USDA Standard: A large banana (8-8 7/8 inches long) weighs approximately 136 grams (4.8 ounces) according to the USDA.
Peeled Weight: The edible flesh of a large banana typically weighs between 88 and 95 grams, as the peel accounts for about 30-35% of the total weight.
Ripeness Matters: Ripeness can slightly affect weight, with starches converting to sugars and some moisture loss occurring in very ripe fruit.
Nutrition Correlation: A large banana contains around 121 calories and 31 grams of carbohydrates, significantly more than a small banana.
Recipe Precision: For baking and nutritional tracking, using a kitchen scale to measure the exact weight of a peeled banana is more accurate than relying on visual size.
Variety Variation: Different banana varieties will have different average weights and densities.

Understanding Banana Size and Weight

When asking how heavy is one large banana, the most reliable answer comes from a standardized source like the USDA. The weight of this ubiquitous fruit is not uniform, but rather categorized by its length. This classification system helps to bring consistency to nutritional data and recipe development. The standard supermarket banana, a Cavendish variety, falls into these categories, providing a benchmark for consumers everywhere.

The USDA's Banana Classification

The USDA categorizes banana sizes based on length, providing average weights for each category. A large banana, specifically 8 to 8 7/8 inches long, weighs approximately 136 grams (4.8 oz).

The Impact of the Peel

The banana peel accounts for roughly 30-35% of the total weight. For accurate cooking or nutritional tracking, weighing the peeled banana is recommended.

Weight Variations by Ripeness and Variety

Ripeness can slightly affect a banana's weight due to changes in moisture content as starches convert to sugars. Different banana varieties also naturally have varying weights and densities.

Banana Weight and Nutrition Comparison

Weight influences the nutritional content of a banana, including calories and carbohydrates. The following table illustrates the approximate values for different sizes based on USDA data.


Banana Size (Length)	Approx. Weight (g)	Approx. Weight (oz)	Calories	Carbohydrates (g)
Extra Small (<6")	81 g	2.9 oz	72	19
Small (6-7")	101 g	3.6 oz	90	23
Medium (7-8")	118 g	4.2 oz	105	27
Large (8-9")	136 g	4.8 oz	121	31
Extra Large (9"+)	152 g	5.4 oz	135	35

Why Accurate Banana Weight Matters

Accurate banana weight is important for calorie counting, baking consistency, portion control, cooking, and comparing nutritional information. {Link: The USDA FoodData Central fdc.nal.usda.gov} is a good resource for nutritional data.

Conclusion

A large banana, as defined by the USDA (8-8 7/8 inches), weighs approximately 136 grams or 4.8 ounces. For accuracy in cooking and nutrition tracking, using a kitchen scale is the most reliable method.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the USDA, a large banana, which measures 8 to 8 7/8 inches long, weighs approximately 136 grams.

A large banana weighs about 4.8 ounces. This is based on the 136-gram standard provided by the USDA for bananas measuring between 8 and 8 7/8 inches.

The weight of a large banana without the peel is typically between 88 and 95 grams, or 3.1 to 3.4 ounces. The peel accounts for approximately 30-35% of the banana's total weight.

As a banana ripens, starches are converted to sugars and some moisture is lost, causing a very slight decrease in weight. This change is generally minor and has a minimal impact on the overall weight.

Recipes, especially in baking, require a specific weight of banana to ensure the correct moisture and sugar content.

Yes. An extra-large banana, which is 9 inches or longer, weighs about 152 grams (5.4 oz), making it approximately 16 grams heavier than a large banana.

While the weight-to-nutrition ratio is consistent for the standard Cavendish variety, nutritional content can vary slightly depending on the banana's specific variety and level of ripeness.