What is a DV in Nutrition? Your Guide to Daily Values

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Daily Values (DVs) are reference amounts of nutrients to consume or not exceed each day. This standardized system, updated in 2016, is a key tool for understanding what is a DV in nutrition and making informed decisions about the foods and supplements you purchase.

Quick Summary

Daily Value (DV) is a standardized reference amount for nutrients on food labels, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. It helps consumers quickly assess how a food's nutrient content fits into a total daily diet.

Key Points

Daily Value Defined: The DV is a reference amount for nutrients on food labels, established by the FDA for standardized nutritional information.
Percent DV Explained: The %DV shows how much a single serving of a food contributes to your overall daily intake, based on the DV.
The 5/20 Rule: Use this simple guide to interpret labels: 5% DV or less is low (aim for less), while 20% DV or more is high (aim for more for beneficial nutrients).
Comparison Tool: Use the %DV to compare similar products side-by-side to make healthier choices at a glance, ensuring serving sizes are consistent.
General Benchmark: DVs are based on a 2,000-calorie diet, which serves as a helpful reference point, but individual needs may vary based on age, activity level, and other factors.
Hidden Details: Pay attention to nutrients without a %DV, like trans fat, and always check for added sugars, as these still provide important information.

The Daily Value (DV) is a foundational concept on the Nutrition Facts label of packaged foods and dietary supplements in the United States, standardized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It represents a reference amount for nutrients, used to calculate the percent Daily Value (%DV), which you see listed next to each nutrient. DVs help consumers quickly determine if a serving of a particular food is high or low in a specific nutrient, making it easier to compare products and make healthier choices.

The Purpose of Daily Values

The DV system was introduced with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1993 to standardize nutritional information on food products. Its main goals include providing a consistent benchmark for comparing food products, guiding healthier eating habits, simplifying complex nutritional data, and empowering consumers to make informed dietary choices.

The 5/20 Rule: A Quick Guide to DV

The FDA offers a simple guideline, the 5/20 rule, to interpret the %DV. A serving with 5% DV or less of a nutrient is considered low, which is desirable for nutrients like saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Conversely, a serving with 20% DV or more is considered high, a target for beneficial nutrients such as dietary fiber, Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.

DV vs. %DV: Understanding the Difference

While often used interchangeably, Daily Value (DV) and percent Daily Value (%DV) are different. The DV is the static reference amount for a nutrient, usually based on a 2,000-calorie diet. The %DV is the percentage of that DV provided by one serving of a specific food, helping you see its contribution to your daily intake.

How a DV in Nutrition is Calculated

The %DV is calculated by dividing the amount of a nutrient per serving by its Daily Value and multiplying by 100. For example, if the DV for calcium is 1,300mg and a serving contains 300mg, the %DV is (300mg ÷ 1,300mg) x 100 = 23%.

Nutrients with a Daily Value vs. No Daily Value

Most key nutrients have a DV, but some do not, requiring attention to the amount in grams instead of a percentage. Nutrients with a DV include various fats, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, protein (in specific cases), vitamins, and minerals. Nutrients without a %DV are trans fat (avoid entirely), total sugars (includes natural and added sugars), and protein (unless a specific claim is made).

Using DV to Compare Nutrients

The DV system simplifies comparing the nutritional profiles of different foods. By checking the %DV, you can quickly identify which products align better with your health goals, remembering to compare similar serving sizes.


Feature	Nutrients to Limit (e.g., Saturated Fat, Sodium)	Nutrients to Encourage (e.g., Fiber, Vitamin D)
%DV Goal	Aim for 5% DV or less per serving.	Aim for 20% DV or more per serving.
Health Impact	High intake is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.	Supports essential bodily functions, bone health, digestive health, and can help reduce disease risk.
Label Action	Compare products and choose the one with the lower %DV for these nutrients.	Look for foods with higher %DV to maximize your intake of these beneficial nutrients.
Trade-Offs	If you consume a food high in one of these, balance it with lower-DV foods throughout the day.	Pair foods to ensure you are getting a high percentage of multiple important nutrients throughout the day.

Limitations of the 2,000-Calorie Standard

The 2,000-calorie diet used for DVs is a general reference and not a universal rule. Individual nutrient needs vary based on age, gender, activity level, and health. DVs can be adjusted to match individual caloric requirements.

Conclusion: Becoming a Label-Reading Expert

Understanding what is a DV in nutrition empowers you to make healthier food choices. By utilizing the %DV on nutrition labels, you can easily compare products, find nutrient-rich options, and monitor your intake of nutrients to limit, contributing to a healthier lifestyle. You can find more details on reading labels on the FDA's official guidance page.

Frequently Asked Questions

To compare two products, first check that the serving sizes are similar. Then, look at the %DV for the nutrients you want to increase or decrease. For example, if you want more fiber, choose the product with the higher %DV for dietary fiber.

The 5/20 rule is a quick guide for interpreting the %DV. A %DV of 5% or less indicates a low amount of that nutrient, while a %DV of 20% or more indicates a high amount.

No, not all nutrients have a Daily Value. Trans fat and total sugars, for example, do not have a %DV listed. For these, it is best to look at the amount in grams and, for total sugars, also check the 'Added Sugars' line.

The DV is based on a 2,000-calorie diet and is meant as a general guide, not a personalized recommendation. Individual needs can differ based on age, gender, activity level, and health conditions.

The DV is a standardized value used on food labels, while the RDI (Reference Dietary Intake) is a more specific, scientific recommendation for nutrient intake based on age, gender, and life stage. The DV is derived from the RDI to create a universal reference for the public.

The DV helps you manage your diet by making it easy to identify foods high in nutrients you want more of (e.g., fiber, vitamins) and low in nutrients you want less of (e.g., saturated fat, sodium). This helps you make trade-offs and build a balanced diet.

The FDA updated Daily Values in 2016 based on newer scientific research. This led to new DVs for certain nutrients and the inclusion of others, like added sugars, making labels more reflective of current dietary guidelines and health recommendations.