How many milligrams of chloride are in a teaspoon of salt?

December 23, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, a teaspoon of salt contains approximately 3,400 milligrams of chloride. This calculation is based on the fact that table salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is composed of about 60.7% chloride by mass. Understanding how many milligrams of chloride are in a teaspoon of salt is essential for managing dietary intake and appreciating the chemistry of this common seasoning.

Quick Summary

A standard teaspoon of table salt contains around 3,400 milligrams of chloride. This is derived from the chemical composition of sodium chloride, where chloride makes up approximately 60.7% of its total mass. The exact amount can vary slightly depending on the type of salt and grain size.

Key Points

Approximate Chloride Content: A single teaspoon of table salt contains around 3,400 milligrams of chloride, based on an average teaspoon weight.
Chemical Makeup: Table salt is sodium chloride (NaCl), and chloride accounts for approximately 60.7% of its total mass.
Measurement Variation: The exact amount of chloride can fluctuate depending on the grain size of the salt, as coarse salt weighs less per teaspoon than fine salt.
Dietary Significance: One teaspoon of salt provides more chloride than the adult Adequate Intake (AI) of 2,300 mg, underscoring the importance of moderation.
Weight vs. Volume: For the most accurate and consistent measurements, especially in cooking and baking, measuring salt by weight is more reliable than by volume.
Health Considerations: The high chloride and sodium content in salt highlights why limiting consumption is important for cardiovascular health.

The Chemical Composition of Salt

To determine how many milligrams of chloride are in a teaspoon of salt, one must first understand the fundamental chemical makeup of table salt. Table salt is the common name for the ionic compound sodium chloride, which has the chemical formula NaCl. This formula indicates a 1:1 ratio of sodium ($Na^+$) and chloride ($Cl^-$) ions. However, because chlorine's atomic mass is greater than sodium's, the element of chloride accounts for a larger percentage of the compound's overall weight.

Calculating the Percentage of Chloride

The precise percentage of chloride in sodium chloride can be calculated using the atomic masses of the constituent elements:

Atomic mass of Sodium (Na): ~22.99 g/mol
Atomic mass of Chlorine (Cl): ~35.45 g/mol
Molar mass of NaCl: 22.99 + 35.45 = 58.44 g/mol

The percentage of chloride by mass is then: (35.45 g/mol) / (58.44 g/mol) * 100 ≈ 60.7%.

Converting Teaspoons to Milligrams

Next, it is necessary to establish the mass of a single teaspoon of salt. The weight of a teaspoon of salt can vary depending on factors such as grain size and how it is measured (e.g., leveled versus heaped). However, a standard measurement often cited for a level teaspoon of table salt is approximately 6 grams, or 6,000 milligrams. This can vary, as some sources estimate slightly different weights.

The Final Calculation

Using the standard mass of 6,000 mg for a teaspoon of table salt, the amount of chloride can be calculated by multiplying the total mass by the percentage of chloride: 6,000 mg (mass of 1 tsp salt) * 60.7% (chloride content) = 3,642 mg of chloride

However, a widely referenced figure from nutritional sources often cites a slightly different value. For instance, the Institute of Medicine and others specify that a teaspoon of salt, estimated at 5,600 milligrams, contains 3,400 milligrams of chloride and 2,200 milligrams of sodium. This discrepancy likely arises from variations in the exact density and mass used for a 'standard' teaspoon measurement. For dietary purposes, the 3,400 mg figure is a reliable estimate.

Factors Influencing the Final Value

Grain Size: Coarse salts like kosher salt or flaky sea salt have larger crystals and will weigh less per teaspoon than fine-grained table salt, which packs more densely.
Measurement Technique: A consistently leveled teaspoon is critical for reproducible measurements. A heaped teaspoon will contain a much higher mass and, consequently, more chloride.
Type of Salt: While table salt is almost pure sodium chloride, other salts like sea salt or Himalayan pink salt contain trace minerals that slightly alter the overall composition and thus the percentage of chloride.

Comparison of Different Types of Salt


Salt Type	Common Composition	Grams per Teaspoon (Approx.)	Mg of Chloride per Teaspoon (Approx.)
Table Salt	~99% NaCl	6g (6,000 mg)	3,400-3,642 mg
Kosher Salt	Coarser NaCl	5g (5,000 mg)	~3,000-3,035 mg
Flaky Sea Salt	Larger crystals, primarily NaCl	2.8g (2,800 mg)	~1,698 mg

Understanding the Dietary Implications

The Adequate Intake (AI) for chloride for adults is 2,300 milligrams per day. As the calculation shows, a single teaspoon of salt can provide more than the daily recommended intake. This highlights the importance of moderation in salt consumption, especially when considering the associated sodium intake. Excessive sodium can lead to health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. A diet with an abundance of processed foods is often high in both sodium and chloride, making mindful consumption vital.

Conclusion

While a precise figure can vary based on the type of salt and measurement, a reliable estimate for how many milligrams of chloride are in a teaspoon of salt is approximately 3,400 milligrams. This value is derived from the fact that table salt (sodium chloride) consists of about 60.7% chloride by mass. Being aware of this composition and mindful of dietary intake is crucial for maintaining a healthy diet. Given that one teaspoon can exceed the daily adequate intake for chloride, using salt sparingly in cooking and seasoning is a sensible approach. For highly accurate measurements in sensitive applications like baking, weighing ingredients by mass is always preferable to using volume-based measures like a teaspoon.

Visit the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health for more information on salt and sodium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Table salt is an ionic compound called sodium chloride, with the chemical formula NaCl. It consists of one sodium ion ($Na^+$) and one chloride ion ($Cl^-$) in a 1:1 ratio.

No. While table salt is a purified form of sodium chloride, other salts like sea salt and rock salt contain different trace minerals. Also, the density and mass of different salts vary based on their grain size, so a teaspoon measurement can hold different amounts by weight.

Chlorine is a yellowish-green gas that is a highly reactive element, while chloride is the ion formed when a chlorine atom gains an electron. The chloride ion is stable and is the form found in salt and body fluids.

Knowing the chloride content is important for tracking dietary intake. As a component of salt, excessive intake contributes to overall high salt consumption, which can impact health by raising blood pressure.

Not necessarily. While a teaspoon contains a significant amount, dietary intake of salt comes from many sources, not just what is added manually. Many processed foods already contain high levels of sodium chloride.

Using a coarser salt like kosher salt can reduce your chloride intake on a per-teaspoon basis. Because its larger crystals don't pack as densely as fine table salt, a teaspoon will contain less total salt by weight.

The Adequate Intake (AI) for chloride for adults is 2,300 mg per day. Since a single teaspoon of salt can contain around 3,400 mg of chloride, it can easily contribute a large portion of, or exceed, this daily recommendation.