How many calories are in 16 oz of Coors Light?

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

According to official nutritional data, a standard 12-ounce serving of Coors Light contains 102 calories. When scaled up proportionally, a 16 oz serving of Coors Light contains approximately 136 calories, offering a clear picture for those monitoring their intake.

Quick Summary

This article calculates the exact calorie count for a 16 oz Coors Light using manufacturer data, details its macronutrient breakdown, and compares it to other popular beers.

Key Points

16 oz Calories: A 16-ounce serving of Coors Light contains approximately 136 calories, based on its standard 102 calories per 12 ounces.
Nutritional Breakdown: A 16 oz Coors Light has roughly 6.7 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of protein, and no fat.
Calorie Source: The calories primarily come from the beer's alcohol (4.2% ABV) and leftover carbohydrates from the brewing process.
Portion Matters: The increase from a 12 oz serving (102 calories) to a 16 oz serving (136 calories) adds a notable amount of extra calories.
Low-Calorie Comparison: At 136 calories per 16 oz, Coors Light is a relatively low-calorie beer, especially when compared to standard lagers that can exceed 190 calories for the same volume.
Informed Choices: Knowing the calories per ounce helps in making informed decisions for weight management, where serving size plays a significant role.

Calculating the Calories in 16 oz of Coors Light

While the official nutritional information for Coors Light is typically listed for a 12-ounce serving, it is straightforward to calculate the caloric content for a larger 16-ounce portion. The standard 12 oz serving of Coors Light contains 102 calories. By finding the calories per ounce and multiplying by the desired volume, you can determine the exact caloric load.

Step 1: Find calories per ounce. Divide the 102 calories by 12 ounces (102 / 12 = 8.5 calories per ounce).
Step 2: Multiply by new volume. Multiply the per-ounce calorie count by 16 ounces (8.5 * 16 = 136 calories).

Therefore, a single 16-ounce can of Coors Light contains approximately 136 calories. This straightforward calculation helps put into perspective the impact of increasing your serving size, even for a product marketed as 'light.'

A Closer Look at Coors Light's 16 oz Nutrition

Beyond just the total calories, understanding the macronutrient profile can provide a more complete nutritional picture. The calories in Coors Light, like most beers, primarily come from its carbohydrate and alcohol content.

Macronutrient Breakdown for a 16 oz Serving

Based on the 12 oz serving providing 5 grams of carbs, we can project the amounts for a 16 oz can:

Carbohydrates: Approximately 6.7 grams (5g / 12oz * 16oz). The majority of these carbs are residual sugars left over after fermentation.
Protein: Less than 1 gram. The initial 12 oz serving contains less than 1g of protein, making the contribution from a 16 oz serving negligible.
Fat: 0 grams. Coors Light, like virtually all beers, contains no fat.

How Alcohol Contributes Calories

The 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) of Coors Light also contributes significantly to its calorie count. Alcohol itself is a source of calories, providing roughly 7 calories per gram. This is a critical factor in understanding why even 'light' beers still contain a meaningful number of calories. The brewing process is designed to reduce the overall carb count while maintaining flavor, but the alcohol content remains a calorie source that cannot be eliminated.

Coors Light vs. Other Popular Beers

To put the 16 oz Coors Light into context, it is helpful to compare its calorie and carb content with other popular options. Here is a comparison for 16-ounce servings of several common beers, based on their standard 12 oz nutritional data.


Beer (16 oz)	Calories (Approx.)	Carbohydrates (Approx.)
Coors Light	136	6.7g
Miller Lite	128	5.3g
Bud Light	147	6.7g
Standard Lager (e.g., Budweiser)	193	15.6g

Note: Miller Lite contains 96 calories and 3.2g carbs per 12 oz, while Bud Light has 110 calories and 6.6g carbs per 12 oz. The standard lager figures are based on averages from brewing sources and show a notable increase in calories and carbs.

Factors Influencing Beer Calories

Understanding what makes beer high or low in calories is key to making informed choices. Several factors play a role:

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): This is the most significant factor. Since alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, a higher ABV beer will almost always have more calories than a lower ABV one, regardless of other factors.
Residual Sugars and Carbs: After fermentation, some sugars remain unfermented, contributing to the beer's carbohydrate and calorie count. Light beers are specifically brewed to minimize these residual sugars.
Added Ingredients: Some specialty beers, like stouts or fruity ales, may have additional ingredients such as lactose, fruit purees, or syrups that can substantially increase the final calorie and sugar count.
Brewing Process: The specific brewing techniques and ingredients used can influence the final nutritional profile. The use of corn adjuncts, for example, can contribute to the final carb count.

The Importance of Serving Size

For many people, the difference between a standard 12 oz bottle and a larger 16 oz can may seem minor, but it adds up quickly. A single 16 oz Coors Light has 34 more calories than its 12 oz counterpart. Over several drinks, this small difference can become significant, especially for those who are counting calories for weight management. Always pay attention to the actual serving size, as 'light' branding applies to a specific volume and does not mean zero-calorie.

Conclusion

In summary, a 16 oz serving of Coors Light contains approximately 136 calories, with the majority of its nutritional content coming from carbohydrates and alcohol. While it remains a lower-calorie option compared to many standard lagers, understanding the impact of portion size is crucial for effective calorie management. When choosing a beverage, considering the ABV and potential for residual sugars, in addition to the serving size, will provide the most accurate picture of your caloric intake. For further nutritional details on Coors Light and other Molson Coors products, you can review the company's official nutritional data.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 16 oz serving of Coors Light contains approximately 6.7 grams of carbohydrates. This is based on the 12 oz serving size, which has 5 grams of carbs, scaled up proportionally.

Yes, a 16 oz Coors Light at 136 calories is a relatively low-calorie beer choice compared to many standard lagers. It can fit into a calorie-conscious diet when consumed in moderation.

A 16 oz Coors Light has approximately 136 calories, which is 34 calories more than the 102 calories found in a standard 12 oz serving.

The calories in Coors Light mainly come from the alcohol content (4.2% ABV) and the residual carbohydrates that remain after fermentation.

A 16 oz Coors Light (approx. 136 calories, 6.7g carbs) has slightly more calories and carbs than a 16 oz Miller Lite (approx. 128 calories, 5.3g carbs), making Miller Lite the marginally lower-calorie option per ounce.

Yes, Coors Light contains zero grams of fat in both its 12 oz and 16 oz servings.

While it is a lower-calorie beer, frequent consumption of any alcoholic beverage can contribute to weight gain if it adds excess calories to your diet. Moderation is key for weight management.

Yes, there are some ultra-light beers on the market with fewer calories. For example, a 16 oz Miller Lite is slightly lower at 128 calories.

The calories should be very similar, as the draft and canned versions are the same product. However, minor variations might occur due to factors like serving temperature or foaming.