How Many Calories Are in a 6-Piece Buffalo Wild Wings?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the official Buffalo Wild Wings nutritional information, a six-piece order of plain traditional wings contains 430 calories, while a six-piece plain boneless order has 360 calories. The final total for how many calories are in a 6-piece Buffalo Wild Wings meal, however, depends heavily on the sauce or seasoning you choose, which can add a significant number of calories and sodium to your meal.

Quick Summary

A 6-piece wing count at Buffalo Wild Wings starts at 430 calories for traditional and 360 for boneless, before adding your choice of sauce or seasoning. The final calorie count varies widely depending on the flavor selected.

Key Points

Base Calories Vary: A 6-piece order of plain traditional wings contains 430 calories, while plain boneless wings have 360 calories.
Sauces Add Significant Calories: The type of sauce or dry rub is the biggest factor, potentially adding hundreds of calories to your total.
Dry Rubs Are Lowest in Calories: Opt for dry seasonings like Desert Heat® or Lemon Pepper to add minimal calories, around 5 per serving.
High-Calorie Sauces: Fat and sugar-based sauces like Parmesan Garlic and Asian Zing can dramatically increase your overall calorie intake.
Mind the Sides: Sides like fries and heavy dressings (ranch, bleu cheese) add substantial calories and should be consumed in moderation or replaced with healthier options like celery and carrots.
Sodium is High: Be aware of the high sodium content in many sauces, which can contribute significantly to your daily intake.
Control Your Portions: Sticking to a 6-piece serving is crucial for managing your calorie intake, as larger orders have a much higher base calorie count.

Calculating Your 6-Piece Buffalo Wild Wings Calorie Count

When ordering a six-piece serving of wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, understanding the nutritional information can help you make an informed decision. The starting point for your calorie calculation depends on whether you choose traditional or boneless wings, with the add-on sauces and seasonings dramatically increasing the final count. By examining the base calorie counts and the nutritional values of popular sauces, you can estimate your total intake.

Base Calorie Counts: Traditional vs. Boneless

The fundamental difference in calories comes from the type of wing you order. Traditional wings are bone-in and contain a higher calorie and fat content due to the skin and higher overall fat content. Boneless wings, on the other hand, are made from breast meat, which is leaner, and are breaded and fried, resulting in different nutritional values.

6 Traditional Wings (Plain): 430 calories, 24g fat, 53g protein.
6 Boneless Wings (Plain): 360 calories, 19g fat, 29g protein.

The Impact of Sauces and Dry Rubs

The most significant factor influencing your total calorie count is the sauce or dry rub you select. Sauces can range from being relatively low-calorie and tangy to high in fat and sugar, adding hundreds of calories to your meal. Dry rubs generally add fewer calories, making them a better choice for those watching their intake.

Low-Calorie Sauce Options

Dry Seasonings: Most dry rubs like Lemon Pepper, Chipotle BBQ, and Desert Heat add only about 5 calories per 6-piece serving.
Blazin'® Carolina Reaper: This spicy sauce adds a minimal amount of calories, with only 40 calories for a 6-piece traditional wing serving.

High-Calorie Sauce Options

Lemon Pepper (Sauce): The wet version of this flavor can pack a surprising amount of calories, reaching 180 additional calories for traditional wings.
Parmesan Garlic: This sauce is a heavy hitter, adding 130 calories to traditional wings and 190 to boneless, largely due to its high fat content.
Asian Zing®: A sweet and tangy sauce, Asian Zing adds 90 calories to traditional wings and 130 to boneless, mostly from its sugar content.

Calorie Comparison: A 6-Piece Wing Breakdown


Item	Plain Calories	Sauce/Rub	Extra Calories	Total Calories
Traditional Wings	430	Desert Heat® Dry Rub	5	435
Traditional Wings	430	Medium Sauce	30	460
Traditional Wings	430	Hot Sauce	45	475
Traditional Wings	430	Asian Zing® Sauce	90	520
Traditional Wings	430	Lemon Pepper Sauce	180	610
Boneless Wings	360	Desert Heat® Dry Rub	5	365
Boneless Wings	360	Medium Sauce	50	410
Boneless Wings	360	Hot Sauce	70	430
Boneless Wings	360	Asian Zing® Sauce	130	490
Boneless Wings	360	Lemon Pepper Sauce	270	630

Making Healthier Choices at Buffalo Wild Wings

For those who are calorie-conscious, making a few simple modifications can significantly reduce the overall calorie count of your meal. Opting for boneless wings, which are naturally lower in calories, is a good start. Additionally, choosing dry rubs over sauces is a simple way to cut back on fat and sugar without sacrificing flavor.

Tips for Reducing Calories

Go Dry: Choose a dry rub like Desert Heat® or Lemon Pepper Seasoning instead of a sauce to minimize added calories. These add only a few calories compared to the high-fat or high-sugar sauces.
Light on the Sauce: If a sauce is a must, consider asking for it on the side and using it sparingly to control the amount you consume.
Pair Wisely: Instead of fries or other high-calorie sides, pair your wings with celery and carrots. Opt for a lower-calorie dressing, but be mindful that standard ranch and bleu cheese are high in fat and calories. For instance, a regular serving of ranch dressing adds 320 calories.
Portion Control: Stick to the 6-piece serving and avoid upsizing your order. A 10-piece traditional wing order, for instance, starts at 720 calories, plus the sauce calories.

Beyond Calories: A Note on Sodium

It is also important to consider the high sodium content of many wing options, which can be an important factor for individuals monitoring their salt intake. Some sauces can contain over 1,000 mg of sodium in a single serving. For instance, a 6-piece boneless wing meal with Hot sauce can exceed 2,900 mg of sodium, a significant portion of the daily recommended intake. For more detailed nutritional information on the full menu, including sauces and dry rubs, refer to the official Buffalo Wild Wings Nutrition Guide.

Conclusion: Your Calorie Choices

Ultimately, the number of calories in a 6-piece Buffalo Wild Wings meal is not a single, fixed number. The base wing type, either traditional or boneless, provides a starting point, but the choice of sauce or seasoning is the most important variable. With a wide range of options, from low-calorie dry rubs to high-fat and sugary sauces, you have the power to tailor your meal to your dietary needs. By choosing wisely, you can still enjoy your wings while staying on track with your nutritional goals.

Authoritative Source

Official Buffalo Wild Wings Nutrition Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

A 6-piece order of plain traditional wings contains 430 calories, while the same size order of plain boneless wings contains 360 calories, before any sauce or seasoning is added.

For boneless wings, the Lemon Pepper sauce is one of the highest-calorie options, adding 270 calories to the 360 base. For traditional wings, the Parmesan Garlic sauce is a high-calorie choice, adding 130 calories.

Yes, dry rubs are generally a healthier option. Most dry seasonings like Desert Heat® and Lemon Pepper Seasoning add only about 5 calories per 6-piece serving, making them a low-calorie way to add flavor.

You can reduce calories by choosing boneless wings, opting for a dry rub instead of a sauce, asking for sauce on the side and using it sparingly, and selecting healthier sides like carrots and celery sticks.

Yes, sides like ranch and bleu cheese dressing add a significant number of calories. For example, a regular serving of ranch dressing contains 320 calories.

The sodium content varies dramatically by sauce. Some sauces can add over 1,000 mg of sodium to a 6-piece wing order, so it's important to check the nutrition guide if you are monitoring your sodium intake.

The plain wings have a much lower sodium count than when sauced. For instance, plain traditional wings have only 160 mg of sodium, while plain boneless wings have 1260 mg before any sauce is added.