What Does Percent of Daily Value Mean on Nutrition Labels?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a % Daily Value of 5% or less is considered low, while 20% or more is high. This percentage indicates how much a single serving of a food item contributes to your total daily intake of a specific nutrient based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the meaning of Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels, detailing how it helps compare food items and understand nutrient contribution per serving. It also covers the difference between high and low percentages, the standard 2,000-calorie basis, and how to use this information to make informed dietary decisions.

Key Points

Understand the 5/20 Rule: 5% DV or less is low, while 20% DV or more is high. This rule provides a quick guide to whether a food is a good source of a nutrient or if you should limit it.
Check the Serving Size: All %DV figures are based on a single serving. Always compare the serving size on the label to the amount you are actually consuming to accurately calculate your intake.
Compare Products Easily: The %DV allows for simple, side-by-side comparison of different food products, helping you choose options that are higher in beneficial nutrients and lower in less desirable ones.
Remember the 2,000-Calorie Baseline: The %DV is based on a standard 2,000-calorie diet. While your personal needs may differ, this provides a consistent reference point for all packaged foods.
Balance Your Dietary Intake: Use the %DV to manage your diet throughout the day. If one meal is high in a particular nutrient, like sodium, balance it with lower-sodium options for other meals.
Prioritize Beneficial Nutrients: Use the %DV to identify foods that are high in beneficial nutrients such as fiber, calcium, and potassium, and choose to get more of these.
Limit Undesirable Nutrients: Pay attention to the %DV for nutrients like saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, and aim for low percentages when possible.

Deciphering the Percent Daily Value (%DV)

The Percent Daily Value (%DV) is a crucial, yet often misunderstood, part of the Nutrition Facts label found on packaged foods. It serves as a compass for consumers, helping them quickly evaluate the nutritional content of a food item without needing a detailed understanding of nutritional science. By putting the amount of a nutrient in a single serving into the context of a total daily diet, the %DV empowers people to make smarter choices for their health. The figure simplifies complex information, converting grams and milligrams into a single, easy-to-digest percentage.

The Standard Basis: A 2,000-Calorie Diet

The %DV is derived from the daily reference amounts for nutrients, known as Daily Values (DV), which are largely based on a standard 2,000-calorie diet. While many people's actual calorie needs vary based on age, sex, weight, and activity level, the 2,000-calorie figure provides a consistent benchmark for comparison. This standardization allows you to compare the %DV of different products accurately, provided you are mindful of the serving size. Understanding this standard is key to interpreting the label correctly, as consuming more or less than 2,000 calories will shift your personal target for each nutrient.

The 5/20 Rule: Quick Assessment

One of the most practical applications of the %DV is the so-called "5/20 rule" established by the FDA.

5% DV or less: A food with 5% DV or less of a nutrient per serving is considered a low source. For nutrients you want to limit, such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, this is a desirable percentage.
20% DV or more: A food with 20% DV or more of a nutrient per serving is considered a high source. This is a positive indicator for nutrients you want to increase, like dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.

Using %DV for Informed Dietary Decisions

The %DV is a powerful tool for managing your overall diet. You can use it to track your intake of specific nutrients and balance your daily consumption. For example, if you have a food that is high in sodium, you can balance it by choosing foods with a low sodium %DV for the rest of the day. This flexibility allows you to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation while staying within healthy limits. Comparing similar products is another key use. When choosing between two brands of cereal, for instance, you can use the %DV to compare their fiber and sugar content to select the healthier option.

%DV vs. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs)

It is important to differentiate the %DV from RDAs. The Daily Values used for labeling are established by the FDA, while RDAs are developed by the National Academies and specify recommended nutrient intakes for various demographic groups (age, gender, etc.). While DVs are often based on RDAs, they are not always identical, and the %DV on a label provides a simplified, universal reference point for the general population.

A Closer Look at the Label


Nutrient Category	%DV Goal	Explanation & Examples
Saturated Fat	Keep at 5% DV or less	High intake is linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Choose foods with low %DV.
Sodium	Keep at 5% DV or less	Excessive sodium can increase blood pressure. A food with 25% DV is high; be mindful of total daily intake.
Added Sugars	Keep at 5% DV or less	Provides calories without essential nutrients. This %DV is now required on labels to help identify a high intake.
Dietary Fiber	Aim for 20% DV or more	Important for digestive and heart health. Look for high %DV in cereals, whole grains, and vegetables.
Calcium	Aim for 20% DV or more	Crucial for bone health. Dairy products, fortified plant milks, and leafy greens are good sources.
Iron	Aim for 20% DV or more	Necessary for oxygen transport. A high %DV is important, especially for those with iron-deficiency risks.

The Evolution of the Nutrition Label

The Nutrition Facts label, and specifically the %DV, has undergone changes to be more useful to consumers. The most recent updates include clearer serving size information, larger font for calories, and a separate line item for “Added Sugars” to help consumers distinguish between natural and added sugars. These changes were implemented to reflect current dietary recommendations and provide a more intuitive tool for public health.

Practical Tips for Using %DV Daily

Compare similar products: Use the %DV to compare different brands of a product, such as soup or yogurt. If one soup has a 30% DV for sodium while another has 10%, you can easily identify the healthier option.
Balance your intake: If you have a meal that is high in saturated fat, you can choose foods with a low %DV of saturated fat later in the day to balance your overall intake.
Look beyond the percentages: Some nutrients, like protein and trans fat, do not always have a %DV listed on the label for general consumption. For protein, the FDA determined it was not a public health concern for most people, but it is listed if a protein claim is made. For trans fats, experts found insufficient data to set a DV.
Check the serving size: Always look at the serving size, as all %DV percentages are based on this amount. If you eat more than one serving, you will need to adjust your interpretation accordingly. For example, if a package has two servings, you will consume double the stated calories and nutrients if you eat the whole thing.

Conclusion: Your Nutritional Shortcut

The Percent Daily Value is an indispensable part of any nutrition label, offering a quick and straightforward way to gauge a food's nutritional contribution to your daily diet. By understanding the 5/20 rule, recognizing the 2,000-calorie baseline, and learning how to compare products, you can use the %DV to navigate the grocery store aisles with confidence. This tool empowers you to make informed decisions that align with your personal health goals, helping you to achieve a more balanced and nourishing diet every day. For further details on the latest label requirements, you can reference the FDA's guidelines on their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Percent Daily Value (%DV) is calculated by dividing the amount of a nutrient in a single serving by the established Daily Value for that nutrient, then multiplying by 100 to get the percentage. The Daily Values are reference amounts set by the FDA.

Daily Values (DV) are a set of reference values used specifically for nutrition labels, established by the FDA. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) are nutrient intake goals for individuals, set by the National Academies, and are more specific to age, gender, and life stage.

No, the 2,000-calorie diet is a standard benchmark used for consistency across all nutrition labels. Your individual calorie needs may be higher or lower depending on factors like age, sex, weight, and physical activity level.

Yes, the %DV is an excellent tool for comparing different food products, especially similar ones like different brands of yogurt or cereal. Just be sure to check that the serving sizes are the same for an accurate comparison.

Some nutrients, such as trans fat and total sugars, may not have a %DV listed for the general population. In the case of trans fat, it's because there is insufficient data to establish a Daily Value. For nutrients like protein, it's only listed if a claim about protein is made on the packaging.

Use the 5/20 rule: if a food has 5% DV or less for sodium, it's low. If it has 20% or more, it's high. You can balance your total daily intake by choosing lower-sodium options for other meals if you consume a high-sodium item.

Look for foods that have a higher %DV (20% or more) for nutrients you want to increase, such as fiber, Vitamin D, calcium, and potassium. This indicates the food is a good or excellent source of that nutrient.