How many carbs are in a regular tortilla?

December 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Tortillas are a staple food for many dishes, yet their carbohydrate content can vary significantly based on their type, size, and ingredients. A medium-sized flour tortilla can have up to 25 grams of carbs, while a similar corn tortilla might have closer to 18 grams.

Quick Summary

This article explores the carbohydrate content of different tortillas, including regular flour, corn, and whole wheat options. It examines how type and size influence nutritional value, offers alternative low-carb choices, and provides practical advice for integrating tortillas into a balanced diet.

Key Points

Flour vs. Corn: A medium 8-inch flour tortilla has about 24-25g of carbs, while a smaller 6-inch corn tortilla typically contains around 14-15g.
Size Matters: The larger the tortilla, the higher the carbohydrate count. A large flour tortilla can contain significantly more carbs than a smaller one.
Whole Wheat is Healthier: Whole wheat tortillas offer more fiber and slightly fewer carbs than regular refined flour tortillas, making them a healthier alternative.
Low-Carb Options: Specially formulated "low-carb" tortillas use added fiber to reduce net carbs. Alternatives like almond flour or cauliflower tortillas are also available for grain-free diets.
Mindful Fillings: Pairing tortillas with high-protein and high-fiber fillings like lean meat and vegetables can help balance the overall carb load of a meal.
Read the Label: Always check the nutrition facts on packaged tortillas, as brands and recipes can have very different carb counts.

Understanding the Carbohydrate Content of Tortillas

When considering how many carbs are in a regular tortilla, it's essential to recognize that the term "regular" is not a standardized metric and can vary significantly depending on whether you're referring to flour or corn, as well as the tortilla's size. A small corn tortilla will have a much lower carbohydrate count than a large, burrito-sized flour tortilla, for example. Understanding the fundamental differences in these popular flatbreads is the first step toward making informed dietary choices.

The Carb Count in Flour Tortillas

Flour tortillas are typically made with refined wheat flour, water, a form of fat (like shortening or lard), and leavening agents. This composition generally makes them higher in calories, fat, and carbohydrates compared to their corn counterparts. The size of the tortilla is the most significant factor affecting its nutritional content.

Small (6-inch) flour tortilla: Contains around 15 grams of carbs.
Medium (8-inch) flour tortilla: Contains approximately 24 to 25 grams of carbs.
Large (10-inch) flour tortilla: Can have over 30 grams of carbs, with extra-large versions containing even more.

It is important to check the nutritional information on the packaging, as brand formulations can differ widely, especially with larger tortillas. Some commercial varieties also contain preservatives and additives, making a simple ingredient list (like those found in many corn tortillas) a better indicator of a healthier choice.

The Carb Count in Corn Tortillas

Corn tortillas are a more traditional Mexican option, made from nixtamalized corn (masa harina), water, and salt. The nixtamalization process, which involves cooking corn in an alkaline solution, adds nutritional benefits, including more available calcium. Corn tortillas are often considered a healthier option because they are lower in calories, fat, and carbohydrates, and higher in fiber than flour tortillas.

Small (6-inch) corn tortilla: Averages around 14 to 15 grams of carbs.
Medium (8-inch) corn tortilla: Can contain around 18 grams of carbs.

Comparison Table: Flour vs. Corn Tortillas

To provide a clear side-by-side view, here is a comparison of the key nutritional aspects of a typical medium-sized flour tortilla and a small-sized corn tortilla.


Nutrient	Medium Flour Tortilla (approx. 45g)	Small Corn Tortilla (approx. 28g)
Calories	~135-150 kcal	~62 kcal
Carbohydrates	~24-25 g	~12.7 g
Dietary Fiber	~1-1.6 g	~1.8 g
Fat	~3-4 g	~1-2 g
Protein	~4 g	~1.6 g

Note: Nutritional values can vary by brand and preparation methods.

Lower-Carb and Healthier Tortilla Options

For those actively managing their carbohydrate intake, whether for weight loss, diabetes, or other health reasons, several alternatives offer significantly lower carb counts.

Whole Wheat Tortillas: A healthier alternative to refined flour, made from whole grain wheat flour. An 8-inch whole wheat tortilla might contain around 22 grams of carbs and offer more fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Low-Carb Tortillas: Many brands, such as Mission Carb Balance, offer special low-carb tortillas. These often achieve a lower net carb count by adding extra fiber, such as modified wheat starch, to offset the total carbohydrate load. It's crucial to read the ingredient list, as some may contain non-traditional additives.
Alternative Flour Tortillas: For those on ketogenic or grain-free diets, tortillas made from almond flour or cauliflower have become popular. These are often much lower in carbs and can provide a gluten-free option. Recipes for cauliflower and almond flour tortillas can be found online.
Jicama Wraps: While not a true tortilla, thinly sliced jicama can serve as a crunchy, low-carb wrap.

How to Control Tortilla Carbohydrates

Controlling the number of carbs you consume from tortillas goes beyond just picking the right type. Here are some key strategies:

Mind the Size: Always consider the size of the tortilla. A single large burrito-sized flour tortilla can contain as many carbs as several smaller corn tortillas.
Focus on Fillings: The overall carb count of your meal is also heavily influenced by what you put in the tortilla. Choosing high-protein or high-fiber fillings like lean meats, beans, and plenty of non-starchy vegetables can help balance the meal and prevent blood sugar spikes.
Use Mindfully: Instead of using two tortillas for a meal, try using just one. Or, consider cutting your tortilla into strips and baking them for a healthier, chip-style snack.
Read the Labels: For packaged tortillas, always read the nutrition facts panel and the ingredients list. The marketing on the front may not tell the whole story, especially for "low-carb" products.

Conclusion

To determine how many carbs are in a regular tortilla, it is vital to specify the type, as the carbohydrate content varies significantly between corn and flour tortillas. While a small corn tortilla provides a moderate amount of carbohydrates, a large flour tortilla can contain substantially more. Making healthier choices involves not only picking the right type but also managing portion sizes and focusing on nutritious, high-fiber fillings. Whether you're managing a specific diet or simply aiming for better nutrition, understanding these variations allows for more informed and balanced eating decisions.

For further reading on the nutritional benefits and differences between corn and flour tortillas, Healthline provides a detailed comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

A corn tortilla generally has fewer carbs than a flour tortilla of a similar size. For example, a typical 6-inch corn tortilla has around 14-15g of carbs, while an 8-inch flour tortilla has closer to 24-25g.

Whole wheat tortillas are not considered strictly low-carb, but they do contain more fiber and can have slightly fewer carbs than regular white flour versions. They are a healthier choice due to the whole grains.

Total carbs are all the carbohydrates in a product. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the dietary fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbs. Some low-carb tortillas are high in fiber to achieve a lower net carb count.

For those seeking significantly lower carb counts, consider using wraps made from thinly sliced jicama, lettuce, or large leafy greens. For a grain-free alternative, there are tortillas made from cauliflower or almond flour.

Yes, size is a major factor. Larger, burrito-sized tortillas can contain significantly more carbohydrates than small, street-taco-sized ones. Always check the serving size on the package.

Standard corn and flour tortillas are too high in carbs for a typical ketogenic diet. However, there are specially formulated keto-friendly tortillas made with almond flour or other low-carb ingredients that can fit into a keto plan.

To reduce the carb impact, opt for smaller, corn tortillas over large flour ones. Fill them with high-fiber and protein-rich ingredients like grilled chicken, avocado, and non-starchy vegetables to slow down digestion and prevent blood sugar spikes.