How Many Meatballs Are in a Footlong Subway?

November 24, 2025 •

2 min read

Subway's footlong Meatball Marinara typically contains eight meatballs, according to reports from Subway employees. This established standard ensures consistency, though the actual number can vary slightly based on location and the sandwich artist's preparation.

Quick Summary

A standard footlong meatball sub at Subway includes eight meatballs, twice the amount found in a six-inch sub. Standardized recipes govern portion sizes; minor variations can arise depending on the specific location.

Key Points

Standard Portion: A footlong Subway Meatball Marinara sub has eight meatballs.
Six-Inch Reference: A six-inch sub contains four meatballs.
Double Meat Option: Ordering double meat on a footlong increases the count to 16 meatballs.
Count Variation Factors: Meatball size or the individual sandwich artist can affect the number.
Online vs. In-Store: Online orders adhere to the official recipe more rigidly, while in-store orders might have minor deviations.
Mess Factor: High-meatball counts, particularly double-meat orders, can result in a messy sandwich.

The Official Count: 8 Meatballs for a Footlong

The quantity of meatballs in a footlong Subway has often been discussed online. Current and former Subway employees confirm the standard for a footlong Meatball Marinara is eight meatballs. This guideline ensures consistency across all locations.

Why Variations Exist

While eight meatballs is the corporate standard, the actual count may fluctuate. Several factors influence this:

Meatball Size: The meatballs are not perfectly uniform, which can lead to slight adjustments.
Employee Discretion: A generous employee might add an extra meatball.
Online vs. In-Store Orders: Online systems enforce the standard recipe. In-person orders have more flexibility.
Product Availability: Very rarely, ingredient shortages may affect the count, though Subway maintains strict inventory guidelines to prevent such issues.

Breaking Down the Meatball Sub

A six-inch Meatball Marinara receives four meatballs, and the footlong gets eight. The "double meat" footlong should have 16 meatballs, although this can be difficult to prepare and messy. Online forums discuss the challenges for the "sandwich artist" when preparing these loaded subs.

Comparison Table: Subway Meatball Portions


Sub Size	Standard Meatball Count	Double Meatball Count
Six-Inch	4	8
Footlong	8	16
Meatball Pro	12	24 (Theoretically)

Note: The 'Meatball Pro' was a special item in some regions. A Reddit thread discussed how the standard Pro sub contained 12 meatballs, leading to an even higher number for double meat.

Maximizing Your Meatball Experience

Tips to get the most out of your meatball sub:

Order in Person: Ordering from the sandwich artist lets you see the assembly and possibly get a larger portion if the meatballs are small.
Communicate Clearly: Request extra sauce, but be mindful of the quantity. Some employees have even said to ask for as much sauce as possible.
Consider Double Meat: Order the double meat option for a more substantial sandwich.

What the Critics Say

Feedback from online forums offers further insight. A post on the subreddit r/subway mentioned that a standard footlong should have 8 meatballs. Another user stated it was 8 meatballs for a footlong, based on their employee experience. Inconsistent meatball sizes can cause variations in portion sizes.

Conclusion: The Final Count Revealed

The official Subway standard is eight meatballs for a footlong Meatball Marinara. Although the exact number might vary, eight is the expected amount. Consider asking for double meat if you want a larger portion.

A Word on Freshness

Subway employees are trained to handle food safely and maintain fresh ingredients. Meatballs are typically prepped from a frozen state and heated with sauce. This process ensures consistent flavor and temperature. In 2024, Reddit discussions revolved around a potential change to the meatball recipe, but there was no confirmation. The focus remains on quality and consistency, despite possible minor variations.

Visit Subway's Official Website for more nutritional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

A six-inch Meatball Marinara sub from Subway has four meatballs.

The official standard is consistent, but the actual number can occasionally vary slightly due to factors like meatball size or the specific sandwich artist.

A double meat footlong Meatball Marinara has 16 meatballs, double the standard portion of eight.

You can order a 'double meat' option, which will add extra meatballs for an extra charge. Both online ordering and in-store requests allow for this.

No, the meatballs are not always uniform. Natural size variations can occur.

Discrepancies can occur from inconsistent meatball size, or variations in how the corporate recipe is interpreted.

Yes, ordering online is more likely to result in the standard portion of eight meatballs, as the system enforces the recipe rigidly.