What is the daily value indicator?

December 5, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the FDA, the Daily Value (DV) is a reference amount of nutrients to consume or not exceed each day, typically based on a 2,000-calorie diet. This daily value indicator, displayed as a percentage on food labels, is your key to quickly assessing a food's nutritional contribution to your overall diet.

Quick Summary

The Daily Value (DV) indicator is a reference guide on food labels to help consumers compare nutritional content. It shows what percentage of a nutrient in a single serving contributes to a standard daily diet, aiding in managing intake and making healthier food choices.

Key Points

Daily Value vs. Percent Daily Value: The Daily Value (DV) is a reference amount of nutrients for a daily diet, while the Percent Daily Value (%DV) shows how much a single serving contributes to that daily intake.
The 5/20 Rule: This rule helps you quickly assess a product; 5% DV or less is considered low in that nutrient, while 20% DV or more is considered high.
Use for Comparisons: The %DV is excellent for comparing similar food products to choose the healthier option with better nutrient percentages.
Manage Your Diet: You can use the %DV to make dietary trade-offs throughout the day, balancing a higher-nutrient food with lower-nutrient options.
Based on 2,000 Calories: The DV is a general guide based on a 2,000-calorie diet, so individual needs may vary.
Differs from RDA: The Daily Value differs from the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), which is a more personalized nutritional recommendation.
Read Serving Sizes: Always check the serving size, as all %DV figures relate to this specific portion.

Understanding the Basics: Daily Value vs. Percent Daily Value

The Daily Value (DV) and Percent Daily Value (%DV) are important concepts on nutrition labels. The DV is a reference amount for various nutrients based on health recommendations, typically for a 2,000-calorie diet. The %DV, shown on the Nutrition Facts label, indicates how much a single serving of food contributes to the DV for that nutrient.

The 5/20 Rule: A Practical Shortcut

The FDA's 5/20 rule offers a simple way to interpret the %DV. A %DV of 5% or less suggests the food is a low source of that nutrient, which is desirable for nutrients you want to limit like saturated fat or sodium. A %DV of 20% or more indicates a high source, beneficial for nutrients you want to consume more of, such as fiber or calcium.

How to Use the Daily Value Indicator for Healthier Choices

The %DV is a valuable tool for making informed food choices. It helps in comparing similar products to see which offers better nutrient percentages and allows you to manage your intake by balancing foods throughout the day. A high %DV for beneficial nutrients points to a nutrient-dense food, while a high %DV for nutrients to limit helps identify less healthy options.

Daily Value vs. Recommended Dietary Allowances

The Daily Value (DV) on food labels differs from the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) used by nutrition professionals. DVs provide a single, general benchmark for the public based on a 2,000-calorie diet. RDAs, on the other hand, are more personalized nutrient recommendations that consider factors like age, gender, and life stage.


Feature	Daily Value (DV)	Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
Purpose	A single reference value for food labeling to provide a standardized, easy-to-compare benchmark for the general public.	A more personalized recommendation for nutrient intake based on age, gender, and life stage.
Basis	Based on a 2,000-calorie diet for an average healthy adult.	Reflects the specific needs of different demographic groups (e.g., infants, pregnant women, older adults).
Flexibility	A general guide for quick assessment of packaged foods.	Used by health professionals to tailor specific nutrient recommendations for individuals.

Important Caveats of the Daily Value Indicator

While helpful, the DV has limitations. It's based on a 2,000-calorie diet, which may not match everyone's needs. There's no %DV for trans fats or total sugars, though added sugars do have a %DV. Remember that the %DV is for one serving size; consuming more requires recalculating.

Conclusion: Making Informed Dietary Decisions

The daily value indicator is a powerful tool for making healthier food choices. By understanding the difference between DV and %DV and using the 5/20 rule, you can effectively compare products and manage your intake of various nutrients. This system helps you choose foods with more beneficial nutrients and fewer nutrients to limit, contributing to a more balanced diet. For detailed dietary planning, consulting resources from the FDA or other authoritative sources is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

The daily value indicator, expressed as the Percent Daily Value (%DV) on nutrition labels, is used to show how much a nutrient in one serving of a packaged food contributes to your overall daily diet.

No, the daily value indicator is based on a standard 2,000-calorie diet and serves as a general guide. An individual's specific nutrient needs may vary based on factors like age, gender, and activity level.

You can use the 5/20 rule: 5% DV or less of a nutrient per serving is considered low, while 20% DV or more is considered high.

The FDA does not set a daily value for total sugars because no recommendations have been made for the total amount to consume in a day. However, a %DV is included for 'Added Sugars'.

You should aim for higher percentages (20% or more) of beneficial nutrients like dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.

It is recommended to aim for lower percentages (5% or less) of nutrients that are associated with adverse health effects when consumed in excess, such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.

No, the %DV on a nutrition label applies to a single serving size. If you eat the entire package, you need to multiply the %DV by the number of servings per container.