How Many Calories Are in a Box of Smarties?

December 28, 2025 •

3 min read

A 40g box of Nestle Smarties contains 187 calories, while a standard 15-tablet roll of American Smarties contains only 25 calories. This vast difference highlights the crucial distinction between the two types of candy that share the same name.

Quick Summary

The caloric content of Smarties varies significantly by region due to different products. Nestle's chocolate-based Smarties contain more calories per box than the lower-calorie dextrose-based tablet candies known as Smarties in the US and Canada.

Key Points

Two Different Candies: There are two main types of Smarties—Nestlé chocolate in a box and US/Canadian tablet candy in a roll—with vastly different calorie counts.
Nestlé Smarties (Chocolate): A standard 40g box of the chocolate-coated version contains about 187 calories.
US Smarties (Tablet): A standard roll of the American tablet candy contains only 25 calories and is fat-free.
Varying Box Sizes: Calorie counts for Nestlé Smarties depend on the box size; mini boxes have fewer calories than larger boxes.
Ingredient Impact: The chocolate and milk fat content in Nestlé Smarties accounts for its much higher calorie and fat content compared to the dextrose-based US version.

Decoding Smarties: A Tale of Two Candies

When you ask "how many calories are in a box of Smarties?", the answer is surprisingly complex due to a transatlantic naming confusion. The term refers to two completely different candies: the classic chocolate-coated candy manufactured by Nestlé in many parts of the world, and the small, fruity tablet candy produced by the Smarties Candy Company (formerly Ce De Candy) in the United States and Canada. Understanding which version you have is the most important step in calculating its nutritional impact.

Nestle Smarties: The Chocolate-Coated Kind

Manufactured by Nestlé, these are small milk chocolate discs with a crisp, colorful candy shell, similar to M&M's. Their caloric content varies by box size.

Here are some common examples of Nestlé Smarties and their approximate calorie counts:

40g Box: A standard individual-sized box of Nestlé Smarties contains approximately 187 calories.
Mini Box: The smaller, fun-sized or mini boxes (often 17g) typically contain around 80 calories.
100g Bag: For those sharing or indulging, a 100g portion has about 472 calories.

US Smarties (Rockets): The Tablet Kind

In the United States, the candy named Smarties is a small, hard, sweet-and-sour flavored tablet that comes in a clear, twisted cellophane roll. This version is also known as 'Rockets' in some regions to avoid brand confusion.

Key nutritional facts for US Smarties:

Standard Roll: A single roll, which typically contains 15 tablets, has only 25 calories.
Fat-Free: These candies are notably fat-free, cholesterol-free, and gluten-free, making them a popular, lower-calorie choice.
Primary Ingredient: The main ingredient is dextrose, a type of sugar, giving them a very different nutritional profile from their chocolate counterparts.

Comparison of Smarties by Type

To illustrate the difference, here's a direct comparison of the two candy types based on a standard individual portion.


Feature	Nestle Smarties (40g Box)	US Smarties (1 Roll, 7g)
Calories	187 kcal	25 kcal
Carbohydrates	28.00 g	6.00 g
Sugar	23.90 g	6.00 g
Total Fat	7.80 g	0 g
Saturated Fat	4.40 g	0 g
Protein	1.30 g	0 g
Main Ingredient	Milk Chocolate	Dextrose
Texture	Crunchy shell, chocolate center	Hard, chalky tablet

Understanding Nutritional Impact

For someone monitoring their calorie intake, the distinction between these two candies is paramount. Choosing a roll of US Smarties offers a sweet treat for a very low caloric cost, with no fat. The Nestlé version, while a delicious chocolate treat, carries a much higher calorie and fat load.

Factors Affecting Calorie Count

Serving Size: Always check the box or wrapper. The size of candy boxes can vary significantly, from small Halloween minis to large sharing boxes. The calorie count will scale accordingly.
Regional Differences: As demonstrated, the most significant factor is the origin. Always check the brand and product description. The Nestlé logo or a simple roll of tablets will instantly tell you what kind of Smarties you have.
Product Variations: Beyond the standard box, Nestlé offers variations like Smarties Mini Eggs or larger sharing bags, all of which will have different calorie profiles.

A Deeper Dive into Ingredients

The core difference in ingredients explains the massive nutritional gap.

Nestle Smarties Ingredients: Contain milk chocolate, meaning they are made with sugar, milk solids, cocoa butter, and cocoa mass. This introduces significant fat and calories not present in the tablet version.
US Smarties (Rockets) Ingredients: Composed primarily of dextrose, citric acid, and flavorings. The lack of fat and milk ingredients results in a much lower overall calorie count.

Conclusion: Know Your Candy

Determining the number of calories in a box of Smarties requires first identifying which product you are referencing. For the iconic Nestlé chocolate variety, a standard box is just under 200 calories, while the American tablet version contains a mere 25 calories per roll. This distinction is crucial for anyone counting calories or simply curious about their snack's nutritional value. Always read the packaging to be sure, and remember that candy, in any form, is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Learn more about the difference between US and UK candy culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the US, Smarties are small, sweet-and-sour flavored tablet candies in a roll. In the UK and many other countries, Smarties are milk chocolate discs with a colorful candy shell, made by Nestlé.

A fun-sized or mini box of Nestlé Smarties (often 17g) typically contains around 80 calories.

Yes, American Smarties are a relatively low-calorie treat, with just 25 calories per standard roll. They are also fat-free.

Nestlé Smarties are similar in calories to M&M's on a per-gram basis, as both are chocolate-coated candies. For example, a 40g box of Nestlé Smarties has 187 calories, while a similarly sized bag of M&M's would have comparable calories.

Yes, according to the Smarties Candy Company, their original tablet candies are gluten-free, as well as fat-free and vegan.

Yes, using a standard measure like calories per 100g is a very effective way to compare the caloric density of different types of Smarties, such as the Nestle version (around 472 kcal/100g) and the US version (around 357 kcal/100g, though typically consumed in much smaller portions).

The US-based tablet candies are sold under the 'Rockets' brand name in Canada and other regions to avoid confusion with the Nestlé chocolate product, which is sold under the Smarties brand name there.