Understanding Nutrition: How many carbs are in a typical flour tortilla?

October 27, 2025 •

2 min read

An average 8-inch flour tortilla contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates, according to USDA data. For anyone monitoring their macronutrient intake, knowing precisely how many carbs are in a typical flour tortilla? is crucial for balancing meals and achieving diet goals. These figures can vary significantly based on the tortilla's size, ingredients, and brand.

Quick Summary

Flour tortilla carb content varies significantly by size, with standard options ranging from about 15 to over 35 grams. Nutritional differences exist compared to corn tortillas, and several lower-carb alternatives are also available for various dietary needs.

Key Points

Carb counts vary by size: Smaller 6-inch tortillas have fewer carbs (~15-17g) than large burrito-sized ones, which can exceed 35g.
Ingredients affect nutrition: Whole wheat and specially formulated low-carb tortillas typically offer more fiber and lower net carbs than those made with enriched flour.
Flour vs. Corn: Standard flour tortillas often contain more carbohydrates per serving than corn tortillas, primarily due to differences in size and ingredients.
Understand Net Carbs: For low-carb diets, focusing on net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) provides a more accurate picture of a food's impact on blood sugar.
Mindful Consumption: To maintain a balanced diet, use smaller tortillas and fill them with lean proteins and a variety of nutrient-dense vegetables.
Explore low-carb alternatives: Options like almond flour, cauliflower, and specially formulated brands offer lower-carb tortilla choices.

The Carbohydrate Breakdown by Tortilla Size

The carbohydrate content of a flour tortilla varies primarily with its size and weight. A small, 6-inch tortilla will have considerably fewer carbs than a large, 12-inch burrito-style wrap. Checking the nutritional label is crucial for accuracy. Here's a general guide based on common sizes:

6-inch (Soft Taco Size): Typically 15 to 17 grams of total carbohydrates.
8-inch (Soft Taco Size): Around 24 to 26 grams of total carbohydrates.
10-inch (Burrito Size): Can have 30 to 35 grams of total carbohydrates or more.
12-inch and Larger: Can contain upwards of 58 grams of carbohydrates.

Factors That Influence Flour Tortilla Carb Count

Beyond size, ingredients and preparation methods also affect a tortilla's nutritional profile. Standard tortillas use enriched bleached flour, a refined carbohydrate source. While whole wheat tortillas may not always be lower in total carbs, they offer more fiber. Commercial tortillas often contain vegetable shortening or lard, salt, and leavening agents, contributing to calorie and fat content. Frying tortillas increases calorie and fat content significantly compared to baking.

Flour Tortilla vs. Corn Tortilla: A Carbohydrate Comparison

Comparing flour and corn tortillas is common for those monitoring carb intake. Based on similar weights, corn tortillas are often considered slightly healthier due to higher fiber content and being a whole grain, despite minimal raw carbohydrate differences.


Feature	Corn Tortilla (2 tortillas, 48g)	Flour Tortilla (1 tortilla, 48g)
Total Carbs	~22g	~23.7g
Dietary Fiber	~3g	~0.68g
Net Carbs	~19g	~23g
Ingredients	Whole grain corn, water, and lime (calcium hydroxide)	Enriched flour, water, vegetable shortening, salt
Gluten	Gluten-free	Contains gluten

Low-Carb Tortilla Alternatives

For low-carb diets like keto, standard flour tortillas are often too high in carbohydrates. Options include Mission Carb Balance, almond flour, cauliflower, and La Tortilla Factory low carb tortillas. Net carbs, which are total carbohydrates minus dietary fiber, are important for some diets because fiber does not significantly raise blood sugar.

Integrating Tortillas into a Healthy Diet

Flour tortillas can fit into a healthy diet with mindful consumption. Focus on portion size and fillings, using lean proteins and nutrient-dense vegetables for added fiber and micronutrients. Choosing smaller tortillas can also help control carb intake.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

The carb content of a typical flour tortilla depends heavily on size and ingredients. By understanding these variations, considering alternatives, and practicing portion control, you can enjoy tortillas while meeting dietary goals. For more comparisons, resources like {Link: Food Network https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/corn-vs-flour-tortillas} provide valuable insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, a standard flour tortilla will have more carbohydrates than a single corn tortilla due to its larger size and ingredients. However, when compared by an equivalent weight, the carb counts are very similar, but corn tortillas offer more fiber.

Traditional flour tortillas are not considered low-carb, with even a small 6-inch version containing 15-17 grams of carbohydrates. However, many companies now offer specially formulated low-carb or 'carb balance' flour tortillas.

The main factors are the tortilla's size, with larger tortillas having more carbs, and the ingredients used. Whole wheat or specialty low-carb versions will have a different nutritional profile than those made with enriched white flour.

Net carbs are the total carbohydrates minus the dietary fiber. For tortillas, this distinction is important for those on low-carb or keto diets because fiber is not digested in the same way as other carbohydrates. Looking for high-fiber, low-net-carb options can help manage intake.

Traditional flour tortillas are typically too high in carbohydrates for a strict keto diet. However, many brands offer specific keto-certified or zero-net-carb flour tortillas designed for this purpose.

You can reduce the carbohydrate impact by choosing smaller-sized tortillas, opting for lower-carb or whole-wheat varieties, and focusing on healthier, lower-carb fillings like lean protein and plenty of vegetables.

Excellent low-carb alternatives include specially manufactured 'carb balance' tortillas from brands like Mission and La Tortilla Factory, as well as almond flour or cauliflower tortillas.