How many calories are in 1 k cup?

November 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Keurig, all their coffee and tea K-Cup pods contain no fat or sugar. However, this is only true for the coffee grounds inside the pod; the total calories in a prepared cup depend entirely on the specific beverage and any additions made.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a single K-Cup varies significantly based on the beverage type. Unadulterated black coffee pods have negligible calories, while flavored coffees and specialty pods like lattes or hot chocolate contain added sugars and fats, raising the calorie count to 100 or more.

Key Points

Black Coffee is Low-Calorie: K-Cups containing only ground coffee for black coffee are virtually calorie-free, with a brewed cup containing 2-4 calories.
Specialty Pods are Calorie-Dense: Drinks like lattes and hot cocoa pods are much higher in calories due to added sugar, milk powders, and flavorings.
Additions Matter: The most significant calorie contribution comes from what you add post-brewing, such as cream, milk, or sugar.
Check Packaging: Always read the nutritional information on the box, especially for flavored or specialty pods, as their calorie content varies significantly.
Low-Calorie Flavor Options: For flavor without the calories, opt for pods with natural or artificial flavorings or add spices like cinnamon to black coffee.
DIY Control: To minimize calories, brew a black coffee K-Cup and add low-calorie alternatives like unsweetened almond milk or zero-calorie sweeteners yourself.

Calorie Breakdown: How Many Calories are in 1 K Cup?

Knowing how many calories are in 1 K Cup is essential for managing your daily intake, but the answer is not a simple number. The calorie content is determined by the pod's contents and any extras added after brewing. The ground coffee itself contributes a negligible amount of calories, but specialty pods, like hot chocolate or lattes, are loaded with significant calories from added sugar, milk, and flavorings.

The Zero-Calorie Myth: Black Coffee and Tea Pods

Pure, unsweetened coffee and tea pods are virtually calorie-free. The dry coffee grounds or tea leaves contain minimal calories that are not extracted in any significant quantity during the brewing process. The resulting brewed cup contains only 2 to 4 calories, which is considered nutritionally insignificant. This makes black coffee from a K-Cup an excellent choice for those on a strict calorie-controlled diet.

Here are some examples of low-calorie or virtually zero-calorie K-Cups:

Classic Black Coffee: A medium roast K-Cup from brands like Folgers or The Original Donut Shop contains approximately 0 to 2.4 calories per 8 oz serving.
Flavored Coffee: Flavored coffee pods, which use artificial flavorings rather than sugar, add only about 0.8 calories.
Tea: Tea K-Cups, such as green tea or black tea, contain virtually no calories. For example, a pure brewed tea pod contains 0 calories.

Specialty Pods: Where the Calories Add Up

Pre-packaged specialty K-Cups, such as lattes and hot chocolate, include separate packets or specially formulated pods that contain powdered milk, sugar, and flavorings. These ingredients are the primary source of calories. A single-serve latte or hot chocolate can easily contain anywhere from 60 to over 100 calories.

Consider these common high-calorie K-Cups:

Starbucks® Vanilla Caffé Latte: A prepared 8 fl oz drink contains 130 calories, with 21 grams of sugar.
Starbucks® Classic Hot Cocoa: One pod contains 90 calories, with 13 grams of carbohydrates.
Tim Hortons Hot Chocolate: This pod has 80 calories, with 10 grams of sugar and 3.5 grams of fat.
Cafe Escapes Chai Latte: A single K-Cup pod for a chai latte can contain around 60 calories.

Comparison Table: K-Cup Calorie Counts by Type

To help you visualize the difference in calorie content, here is a comparison of various K-Cup beverages.


Beverage Type	Approximate Calories (per 8 oz)	Key Ingredients	Calorie Source
Black Coffee	0–5	Ground Coffee	Negligible
Flavored Coffee	2–5	Ground Coffee, Artificial Flavoring	Negligible
Chai Latte	60+	Ground Coffee/Tea, Milk Powder, Sugar	Milk Powder, Sugar
Vanilla Latte	100+	Ground Coffee, Milk Powder, Sugar	Milk Powder, Sugar
Hot Cocoa	80–90+	Cocoa Powder, Sugar, Milk Powder	Sugar, Milk Powder
Tea	0	Tea Leaves	Negligible

How Your Additions Affect the Final Calorie Count

Even if you start with a zero-calorie black coffee K-Cup, the final calorie count can skyrocket depending on what you add. These common additions can quickly turn a healthy beverage into a high-calorie treat.

Common Calorie Additions:

Cream and Milk: Adding just one tablespoon of whole milk can add 9 calories, while a tablespoon of heavy cream adds about 52 calories.
Sugar: Each teaspoon of granulated sugar adds approximately 16 calories. Many people use multiple teaspoons.
Flavored Syrups: A single pump of flavored syrup can add 20 or more calories and several grams of sugar. Some coffee shop drinks use multiple pumps.
Sweetened Creamers: Sweetened, flavored creamers are a major source of calories. A single tablespoon can contain around 30-40 calories, with many users pouring more than the recommended serving.

Conclusion: The Final Say on K-Cup Calories

Determining how many calories are in 1 K Cup depends entirely on the type of beverage. For pure black coffee or tea, the calorie count is negligible and essentially zero. The major calorie difference comes from specialty pods and any extra ingredients you add. If you are watching your calorie intake, stick to unflavored black coffee or tea K-Cups. If you enjoy flavored or specialty drinks, be mindful of the added sugars, milk powders, and sweeteners included in the pod or added after brewing. Always check the nutritional information on the packaging of flavored pods and measure your own additions to stay in control of your calorie consumption. For further information on managing calories in your coffee, consider resources like the Barista Baba Coffee blog for low-calorie alternatives and tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard K-Cup for black coffee contains only ground coffee and is virtually calorie-free. The resulting brewed cup typically has only 2 to 4 calories, which is nutritionally insignificant.

If the flavored coffee K-Cup is simply flavored coffee and not a specialty drink like a latte, it will have very few calories. Most flavored coffee pods use artificial flavorings and add only about 0.8 calories per cup.

The calories in a K-Cup latte vary by brand. For instance, a Starbucks® Vanilla Caffé Latte K-Cup pod can contain around 130 calories because it includes sweetened dairy packets. A Keurig Vanilla Latte pod has about 100 calories.

K-Cup hot chocolate pods are significantly higher in calories due to added sugar, cocoa powder, and milk powder. A typical hot cocoa pod, like Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa, contains around 90 calories per serving.

The lowest-calorie K-Cup options are pure, unflavored black coffee or tea pods, which contain 0-5 calories. These have no added sugars or milk products.

To lower calories, use a black coffee K-Cup. Instead of high-calorie creamers or sugar, add low-calorie sweeteners, unsweetened almond milk, or natural spices like cinnamon to your brew.

Yes, you should always check the nutritional label on the product packaging. The calorie information provided for specialty drinks like lattes and hot cocoa includes the calories from the powdered mixes within the pod.