Nutrition Diet: What is the difference between RDI and daily value?

November 1, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the FDA, the Daily Value (DV) on a food label is based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Understanding what is the difference between RDI and daily value is essential for accurately interpreting food labels and making informed diet decisions based on your individual needs.

Quick Summary

The key distinction lies in their purpose and specificity. The Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is a set of gender- and age-specific nutrient recommendations for individuals, while the Daily Value (DV) is a standardized, general public reference for food labeling.

Key Points

RDI is for Individuals: It provides specific nutrient recommendations based on age, gender, and life stage, used primarily by health professionals.
DV is for Labels: The Daily Value is a standardized, universal reference used on food labels for the general public, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
The FDA Sets the DV: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes the Daily Value for regulatory purposes.
Context is Key: While DV provides a useful benchmark, it's important to remember that individual nutrient needs may vary from the 2,000-calorie reference.
Use %DV for Comparison: The %DV is an excellent tool for comparing the nutrient content of different food products to make healthier choices.
Look Beyond the Label: For a precise dietary plan, consult a healthcare provider who can use RDI and other tools to tailor recommendations to your specific needs.

Understanding the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)

The Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is a set of nutrient intake recommendations for healthy individuals. It is part of the broader Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) system and is highly specific, with values varying based on a person's life stage, gender, and age. Expert committees, such as those at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, establish and update these values based on current scientific evidence.

RDIs are primarily used by health professionals for dietary planning and assessment for individuals or specific demographic groups. For example, RDI values can help determine the calcium needs for different age groups.

How RDIs are used

Individualized Planning: Guiding dietary planning for individual patients.
Scientific Research: Providing benchmarks for nutrient intake studies.
Government Policy: Informing nutrition policies.

Decoding the Daily Value (DV)

The Daily Value (DV) is found on the "Nutrition Facts" label of packaged foods and helps consumers compare the nutrient content of different products. It is a single, universal reference for the general population aged four and older, based on a standard 2,000-calorie diet.

The DV combines Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs) for vitamins and minerals with Daily Reference Values (DRVs) for macronutrients like fat and carbohydrates.

How %DV works on food labels

Easy Comparison: %DV makes it simple to compare the nutrient levels in different foods.
Quick Assessment: The "5/20 rule" helps identify low (5% or less) and high (20% or more) sources of nutrients.
Contextualizing Intake: Summing up %DVs throughout the day gives a general idea of nutrient intake relative to the 2,000-calorie standard.

Key Differences: RDI vs. Daily Value

The main difference between RDI and DV is their intended use: RDI is for individual assessment by health professionals, while DV is for standardized food labeling for consumers. While RDI historically informed DV for vitamins and minerals, they are now distinct. The FDA updated the DV in 2016 to better align with current DRIs, while still serving a different purpose.

Comparison Table: RDI vs. Daily Value


Feature	Reference Daily Intake (RDI)	Daily Value (DV)
Purpose	To plan and assess nutrient intake for individuals.	To provide a standardized reference for consumers on food labels.
Specificity	Age, gender, and life stage-specific.	Single, universal value for the general population (4+ years), based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Based on	Scientific consensus on optimal nutrient levels for specific groups.	Regulatory requirements set by the FDA for standardized labeling.
Who uses it?	Dietitians, nutritionists, and health professionals.	Consumers interpreting food labels.
On Label?	No.	Yes, as %DV on the "Nutrition Facts" panel.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Nutritional Goals

Both RDI and Daily Value are useful for a healthy nutrition diet, but in different ways. RDI provides specific guidance for individuals and professionals, while DV offers a simple, standardized way for consumers to understand food labels. Knowing what is the difference between RDI and daily value allows you to better interpret food labels and work with healthcare providers to meet your personal nutritional needs. Use the %DV on labels for quick comparisons, but remember it's a general guide based on a 2,000-calorie diet. For precise, individualized dietary plans, consult a healthcare professional. You can find current RDI values from resources like the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

The RDI values are established by expert committees, such as those at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, based on extensive scientific research.

The Daily Value is set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use on the "Nutrition Facts" labels of packaged foods.

No, the %Daily Value is based on a standard 2,000-calorie diet for the general population. It serves as a general guide, but individual nutrient needs can vary based on age, gender, activity level, and health status.

No, RDI values themselves do not appear on food labels. Instead, the %Daily Value (DV), which is based on the RDI for vitamins and minerals, is used.

Yes, the %DV is a great tool for comparing the nutrient content of different foods. For instance, you can use it to determine which product is a higher source of a particular nutrient.

According to the FDA, a food with 5% DV or less of a nutrient per serving is considered a low source.

The FDA updated the DV to reflect more current scientific information, as the values had been based on outdated recommendations from 1968.