What is the percentage daily value?

December 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a 5% Daily Value or less for a nutrient per serving is considered low, while 20% or more is considered high. The percentage daily value, or %DV, is a key piece of information on the Nutrition Facts label that helps consumers evaluate how a single serving of a food contributes to their total daily diet.

Quick Summary

The percentage daily value (%DV) on nutrition labels shows how a single serving contributes to total daily nutrient intake, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Use this information to compare products and choose options high in desirable nutrients and low in those you want to limit.

Key Points

Snapshot of Nutrient Contribution: The % Daily Value (%DV) shows how one serving of a food contributes to your total daily diet based on a standard 2,000-calorie intake.
5/20 Rule for Interpretation: A %DV of 5% or less is low, while 20% or more is high. This rule helps identify foods low in undesirable nutrients (sodium, saturated fat) and high in beneficial ones (fiber, vitamins).
Compare Products Easily: Use the %DV to quickly compare the nutrient content of different products and choose the healthier option without complex math.
Manage Your Diet: The %DV helps you make dietary trade-offs throughout the day, balancing a food high in one nutrient with others low in that same nutrient.
Check Serving Size: The percentages listed are per single serving. If you consume multiple servings, you must adjust the %DV accordingly.
Not for All Nutrients: Some nutrients like Total Sugars and Trans Fat do not have a %DV, as they are not officially recommended or should be limited.

Demystifying the Percentage Daily Value

The %DV on the Nutrition Facts label helps in making informed food choices. It indicates how the nutrients in one serving of a food contribute to a total daily diet, typically based on a 2,000-calorie intake.

How the %DV Works

The %DV is calculated by dividing the amount of a nutrient in a serving by its Daily Value (DV) and multiplying by 100. The FDA sets these DVs as reference amounts for nutrients. While the 2,000-calorie basis may not match everyone's needs, the %DV is useful for comparing similar foods.

Using the 5/20 Rule to Your Advantage

The 5/20 Rule offers a simple way to interpret the %DV:

5% DV or less is low, helping identify foods to consume less of, like those high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
20% DV or more is high. Aim for foods rich in beneficial nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and iron.

This rule allows for quick product comparisons, such as choosing a cereal with lower added sugars and more fiber based on %DV.

Nutrients with and Without a %DV

Many key nutrients have a %DV listed, providing insight into their daily contribution. However, nutrients like Total Sugars and Trans Fat lack a %DV because the FDA hasn't set a daily reference value, often recommending they be limited.

A Quick Comparison: Nutrients to Limit vs. Encourage


Nutrient	Goal	Standard 2,000-Calorie DV	Interpreting the %DV
Saturated Fat	Less than 100% DV	20g	Choose foods with 5% DV or less.
Sodium	Less than 100% DV	2,300mg	Choose foods with 5% DV or less.
Added Sugars	Less than 100% DV	50g	Choose foods with 5% DV or less.
Dietary Fiber	At least 100% DV	28g	Choose foods with 20% DV or more.
Vitamin D	At least 100% DV	20mcg	Choose foods with 20% DV or more.
Calcium	At least 100% DV	1,300mg	Choose foods with 20% DV or more.
Potassium	At least 100% DV	4,700mg	Choose foods with 20% DV or more.

Practical Ways to Apply %DV to Your Life

Using the %DV daily can influence your food choices:

Compare similar items: Use the %DV to compare the nutritional content of similar products, like choosing an option with less sodium if needed.
Balance your intake: The %DV helps make dietary adjustments throughout the day. If one meal is high in a nutrient, you can select foods lower in that nutrient later.
Tailor to your needs: To increase a nutrient like fiber, look for products with a high %DV. To reduce sugar, opt for products with a low %DV for added sugars.
Pay attention to serving size: The %DV is based on one serving. Adjust the %DV calculation if consuming more than one serving.

Conclusion: Your Guide to Smarter Food Choices

Understanding what is the percentage daily value helps effectively use the Nutrition Facts label. Applying the 5/20 rule and noting which nutrients to limit or encourage supports informed health decisions. This tool simplifies product comparison and daily nutrient management, making a balanced diet more achievable. Incorporating the %DV into your routine is a proactive step for better nutrition. For more information, visit {Link: FDA website https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The %DV indicates how much of a specific nutrient in a single serving of a food contributes to a total daily diet, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Daily Value (DV) is the total recommended amount of a nutrient for an entire day, while %DV shows the percentage of that total DV found in a single serving of a food product.

No, the 2,000-calorie diet is a standard reference point for general nutrition advice. Individual calorie and nutrient needs may differ based on age, sex, and activity level.

A %DV of 5% or less for a nutrient per serving is considered low.

A %DV of 20% or more for a nutrient per serving is considered high.

Compare %DV values of different products, noting serving sizes. Choose products higher in nutrients you want more of and lower in those you want less of.

Some nutrients like Trans Fat and Total Sugars lack a %DV because the FDA hasn't established a Daily Value, often advising they be limited.