How many carbs are in an average slice of pizza?

October 24, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, a single slice of average cheese pizza can contain between 30 and 40 grams of carbohydrates, though the range varies significantly. Understanding how many carbs are in an average slice of pizza depends on several key factors, including the type of crust, the toppings selected, and the size of the slice itself.

Quick Summary

The carbohydrate content of a pizza slice varies based on crust type, toppings, and serving size. A regular cheese slice typically has 30-36g of carbs, while thinner crusts offer lower amounts. Thicker crusts and sugary sauces increase the carb count, while low-carb toppings can help manage intake.

Key Points

Carb Range: A standard slice of pizza can have between 30 and 40 grams of carbohydrates, but this varies based on crust type.
Crust is Key: The type and thickness of the crust are the most significant factors, with thin crusts having fewer carbs than thick or deep-dish varieties.
Toppings Add Up: While protein toppings are low-carb, some vegetables and sugary sauces can increase the total carbohydrate count.
Low-Carb Options: Alternatives like cauliflower or almond flour crusts can significantly lower the carb count, often to under 15 grams per slice.
Portion Control: Limiting yourself to a single slice is a simple and effective way to manage carbohydrate intake.
DIY Control: Making pizza at home allows for total control over ingredients, including low-sugar sauces and wholesome toppings.

What Influences the Carb Count in Your Slice?

While most people consider pizza a high-carb indulgence, the exact nutritional profile is not a one-size-fits-all number. A slice from a large, regular crust pizza is not the same as a small, thin-crust vegetable pizza. The crust is, by far, the biggest determinant of the carbohydrate content. Dough made from traditional wheat flour is rich in complex carbohydrates, and a thicker, fluffier crust naturally means more flour and, therefore, more carbs.

The Impact of Crust Thickness

Let's break down how different crust types directly affect the carb total per slice:

Thin Crust: A slice of thin-crust pizza generally contains fewer carbs, often in the 20 to 30-gram range, because less dough is used. Some specialty thin crusts may be even lower. For those watching their carb intake, opting for a thin crust is one of the most effective strategies.
Regular Crust: This is the most common type of pizza, and a slice from a large pizza typically has 30 to 36 grams of carbohydrates. This represents a standard serving from a national chain, but variations exist based on the specific recipe.
Thick Crust/Deep Dish: These styles use considerably more dough. Consequently, the carb content is much higher, often ranging from 30 to over 40 grams per slice, depending on the thickness and size.

The Role of Toppings and Sauce

While the crust is the main player, other ingredients also contribute to the final carb count. The sauce and certain toppings can surprisingly add more carbohydrates than you might expect.

Sauce: A standard tomato-based sauce adds a few grams of carbs per slice, generally in the 3–6 gram range. However, some commercially prepared sauces can contain added sugars, significantly increasing the overall carbohydrate total. Reading the nutritional label is key if you are making pizza at home or buying a frozen variety.
Toppings: Meats like pepperoni, sausage, and grilled chicken add minimal to no carbs but increase the fat and protein content. Vegetable toppings, while generally healthy, contain their own carbs. Non-starchy vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach have low carb counts, while sweeter, starchier vegetables like corn or pineapple can add more. Heavy, processed toppings and those with sugary glazes can also increase the carb load.

Comparison of Pizza Carbs by Crust Type

To illustrate the difference, here is a comparison table outlining the approximate carb content for a single slice based on crust type, using a large (12-16 inch) pizza as the reference.


Crust Type	Approximate Carb Range (per slice)	Key Factors Influencing Carb Count
Thin Crust	20–30 grams	Minimal dough usage, less volume
Regular Crust	30–36 grams	Standard portion, classic dough recipe
Thick Crust / Pan	30–40+ grams	Increased dough volume, more surface area
Cauliflower Crust	5–10 grams	Made from low-carb vegetables, low flour content
Almond Flour Crust	7–12 grams	High in fat and protein, uses low-carb flour alternative

How to Reduce Carbs When Eating Pizza

For those who enjoy pizza but want to keep their carb intake in check, there are several simple strategies to make the meal healthier and lower-carb.

Choose a thin crust: This is the most straightforward way to cut a significant number of carbs from your meal.
Load up on low-carb toppings: Opt for protein-rich options like grilled chicken or pepperoni and non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, olives, and mushrooms.
Control your portion size: This may seem obvious, but eating just one slice instead of three can make a huge difference in your total carb and calorie count.
Make your own: Creating a homemade pizza with a cauliflower or almond flour crust gives you complete control over the ingredients and can dramatically lower the carbs.
Watch the sauce: Choose a low-sugar tomato sauce or make your own from fresh, crushed tomatoes with no added sugar.

Conclusion: The Final Slice

Ultimately, there is no single answer to "how many carbs are in an average slice of pizza." The carbohydrate content is highly variable and directly influenced by the crust type, slice size, and toppings. A standard slice of regular cheese pizza generally falls in the 30-36 gram range, but this can drop to under 10 grams with a low-carb alternative crust or increase significantly with a deep-dish pizza and heavy toppings. Making informed choices about your ingredients and portion size is the best way to manage your carb intake while still enjoying this beloved food.

For additional nutritional information and to better understand how different food choices impact your diet, you can reference reliable sources like the USDA's FoodData Central system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber. While a standard slice has 30-36g total carbs, it also contains some fiber, usually 2-4g. Therefore, a regular slice of pizza would have approximately 28-34g of net carbs.

No, pepperoni is a meat topping and adds minimal to no carbohydrates to a pizza slice. It primarily contributes fat, protein, and sodium to the nutritional profile.

Thin-crust pizza almost always contains fewer carbs per slice compared to regular or thick crusts because it uses less dough. However, you should still check for additional carb sources in the sauce or toppings.

To make a low-carb pizza at home, use alternative crusts made from ingredients like cauliflower, almond flour, or chicken. Opt for a low-sugar sauce and load up on protein and low-carb vegetables like spinach and mushrooms.

A regular cheese pizza and a veggie pizza with the same crust size will likely have a similar carbohydrate count, as the crust is the main factor. A veggie pizza may have slightly less, but this can vary based on the type of vegetables and sauce used.

The carb count for frozen pizza varies widely by brand and type. Always check the nutrition label on the packaging, as it will provide the most accurate carb information per serving.

Gluten-free pizza is not necessarily lower in carbs. Some gluten-free flours used for crusts can contain a similar amount of carbohydrates as traditional wheat flour. The best low-carb options are crusts made from cauliflower or other non-flour bases.