How Much Protein in Canned Tuna? Light, White and Fresh
Per 100 g, canned light tuna in water (drained) has 19.4 g of protein and canned white tuna in water (drained) has 23.6 g. A drained can of light tuna in water (165 g) has 32.1 g of protein. A 3 oz portion of raw bluefin tuna (85 g) has 19.8 g of protein. Per 100 g, canned light tuna in water (drained) also provides 86 kcal, 1.0 g of fat and 0.0 g of carbohydrate.
Ranked #29 of 46 high protein foods by protein per 100 g.
Protein per 100 g and per serving
| Food | State | Per 100 g | Per 100 g | Per serving | Per serving | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | kcal | Fat | Carbs | Serving | Protein | kcal | |||
| Tuna, light, canned in water, drained FDC 173709 | As sold | 19.4 g | 86 | 1.0 g | 0.0 g | 1 can, drained (165 g) | 32.1 g 1 can, drained (165 g) | 142 | |
| Tuna, white, canned in water, drained FDC 175158 | As sold | 23.6 g | 128 | 3.0 g | 0.0 g | 1 can, drained (172 g) | 40.6 g 1 can, drained (172 g) | 220 | |
| Tuna, bluefin, fresh, raw FDC 173706 | Raw | 23.3 g | 144 | 4.9 g | 0.0 g | 3 oz (85 g) | 19.8 g 3 oz (85 g) | 122 | |
Protein by amount: canned light tuna in water (drained)
| Cans (drained) | Weight | Protein | kcal | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1165 g | 165 g | 32.1 g | 142 | 1.6 g | 0.0 g |
| 2330 g | 330 g | 64.2 g | 284 | 3.2 g | 0.0 g |
| 3495 g | 495 g | 96.2 g | 426 | 4.8 g | 0.0 g |
About these USDA entries
This page uses three USDA entries: canned light tuna in water, drained (FDC 173709), canned white tuna in water, drained (FDC 175158) and fresh bluefin tuna, raw (FDC 173706). Per 100 g, USDA lists 19.44 g of protein for light, 23.62 g for white and 23.33 g for raw bluefin. The canned values are for drained solids: a drained can weighs 165 g for light and 172 g for white. USDA also lists a separate entry for canned light tuna in water without salt, drained solids (FDC 171986), with 25.51 g of protein and 116 kcal per 100 g. This page uses FDC 173709.
How it compares
Similar foods sorted by protein per 100 kcal (main entry for each food).
| Food | Protein per 100 kcalProtein / 100 kcal | Protein (Per 100 g)Protein / 100 g | kcal (Per 100 g)kcal / 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp, cooked | 24.2 g | 24.0 g | 99 |
| Tuna, light, canned in water, drained | 22.6 g | 19.4 g | 86 |
| Cod, cooked | 21.7 g | 22.8 g | 105 |
| Turkey breast, roasted | 21.7 g | 29.5 g | 136 |
| Tilapia, cooked | 20.4 g | 26.2 g | 128 |
| Chicken breast, roasted | 18.8 g | 31.0 g | 165 |
To find your own daily protein target, use the Protein Intake Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much protein is in a can of tuna?
A drained can of light tuna in water (165 g) has 32.1 g of protein (USDA FDC 173709). A drained can of white tuna in water (172 g) has 40.6 g (FDC 175158).
Does white tuna have more protein than light tuna?
Yes, in USDA data. Canned white tuna in water has 23.6 g of protein per 100 g drained and canned light tuna in water has 19.4 g.
How much protein is in 100 g of canned tuna in water?
100 g of drained canned light tuna in water has 19.4 g of protein and 86 kcal. 100 g of drained canned white tuna in water has 23.6 g of protein and 128 kcal.
How much protein is in 2 cans of tuna?
Two drained cans of light tuna in water (330 g) have 64.2 g of protein and 284 kcal. Two drained cans of white tuna in water (344 g) have 81.3 g.
Does fresh bluefin tuna have more protein than canned?
Raw bluefin tuna has 23.3 g of protein per 100 g, more than canned light tuna in water (19.4 g) and slightly less than canned white tuna in water (23.6 g).
How many calories are in a can of light tuna?
A drained can of light tuna in water (165 g) has 142 kcal, from USDA's 86 kcal per 100 g.
Why does one USDA entry for canned light tuna show 25.5 g of protein instead of 19.4 g?
They are two separate USDA entries. FDC 173709 (light, canned in water, drained solids) lists 19.44 g of protein and 86 kcal per 100 g. FDC 171986 (light, canned in water, without salt, drained solids) lists 25.51 g and 116 kcal per 100 g. This page uses FDC 173709.
Related foods
All values come from USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018), per 100 g. Per-serving and scaled values are calculated from them.
Source
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018). Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, drained solids (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program). FDC ID 173709. ↗
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018). Fish, tuna, white, canned in water, drained solids. FDC ID 175158. ↗
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018). Fish, tuna, fresh, bluefin, raw. FDC ID 173706. ↗
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018). Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, without salt, drained solids. FDC ID 171986. ↗