Energy
lower quarter499 kcalthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 747 kcal
- Middle 50%
- 673–850 kcal
Based on 8 records reporting energy.
Sauces, fats & condimentsmoderate variability
Butter, light calories: 70 per 1 tablespoon (14 g)
This exact USDA record reports 70 calories for 1 tablespoon (14 g). That answer belongs to this description and weight; it is not a universal value for every meal that shares the name.
Quick facts
1 tablespoon · 14 g
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 0.5 g
- Carbohydrate
- 0 g
- Total fat
- 7.7 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
- Sodium
- 63 mg
Portion calculator
Estimate your portion
Choose a source measure or enter the weight you ate.
Estimated for 1 tablespoon · 14 g
70calories
Butter, light
- Protein
- 0.5 g
- Carbs
- 0 g
- Fat
- 7.7 g
— means the source has no value available.
These values scale the selected reference food by weight. Ingredients, preparation, and portion size can change your meal’s estimate.
Nutrition facts, household measures, preparation notes and USDA sources
The editorial read
The useful answer has a weight, a composition, and an identity
Portion: the cited record reports about 70 calories for 1 tablespoon at 14 grams. On a fixed-weight basis, the same record contains 499 calories per 100 grams. The first number answers a portion question; the second answers a concentration question.
Composition: that source amount also reports 0.5 g protein, 0 g fiber, and 63 mg sodium. Read those values together: a calorie total by itself cannot describe the nutrient profile.
Identity: the largest listed formulation input is butter, light, stick, with salt, representing 100% of the record’s listed input weight. These are provenance for a standardized calculation, not a recipe for your plate.
The source calls its underlying survey portion “Quantity not specified,” but it separately lists 1 tablespoon at the identical weight. We use the familiar household label here without changing the source calculation.
The household measures attached to this record span roughly 25–1,118 calories across the listed portions. That is a set of scaled examples—not a confidence interval, a recommendation, or a claim about the full universe of recipes.
Calculated from the smallest and largest usable household measures listed by USDA for this exact FNDDS record; not a confidence interval.
Record-specific decision brief
What the numbers say—and what choice still belongs to you
This analysis belongs to USDA FDC 2710157: “Butter, light.” It separates gram-weight arithmetic, corpus context, label signals, and record selection so one number does not have to answer four different questions.
01 · Portion arithmetic
Three weights, one fixed composition
For FDC 2710157, each row multiplies the published per-100-gram values by its stated weight. “1 individual container” through “1 cup” are weight scenarios: named measures come from USDA, while percentage labels are transparent arithmetic.
| Scenario | Weight | Energy | Protein | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 individual containerUSDA-listed household measure | 5 g | 25 kcal | 0.2 g | 0 g | 23 mg |
| 1 tablespoonUSDA-listed household measure | 14 g | 70 kcal | 0.5 g | 0 g | 63 mg |
| 1 cupUSDA-listed household measure | 224 g | 1,118 kcal | 7.4 g | 0 g | 1,008 mg |
02 · Fixed-weight context
Where 100 grams sits inside Butter and animal fats
The comparison set contains 8 exact records in the Butter and animal fats USDA category. Here, “lower quarter” describes FDC 2710157’s energy position in that corpus—not nutritional quality, desirability, or a health rating.
Protein
upper quarter3.3 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 0.7 g
- Middle 50%
- 0.4–2.3 g
Based on 8 records reporting protein.
Dietary fiber
middle half0 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 0 g
- Middle 50%
- 0–0 g
Based on 8 records reporting dietary fiber.
Sodium
middle half450 mgthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 487 mg
- Middle 50%
- 164–588 mg
Based on 8 records reporting sodium.
03 · FDA label lens
The strongest strength-side and tradeoff-side signals
At FDC 2710157’s 14 g reference weight, the largest strength-side percentage among the nutrients evaluated here is Vitamin A; the larger tradeoff-side percentage is Saturated fat. Percentages use FDA label Daily Values, whose general “high” guide begins at 20% Daily Value. This is not an overall score or a personalized target.
Strength-side signals
Vitamin A65.1 µg
≈ 7% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Tradeoff-side signals
Saturated fat4.8 g
≈ 24% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Sodium63 mg
≈ 3% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
04 · Highest-impact checks
The three levers most worth resolving first
For “Butter, light,” the first-pass checks follow the evidence actually published: its named weights, the FDC 2710155 alternative, and its source-formulation identity.
- 01
Listed portion span: 1 individual container to 1 cup
USDA assigns those measures 5 g and 224 g. At this record’s fixed composition, scaled energy moves from 25 kcal to 1,118 kcal.
- 02
Record choice: compare with FDC 2710155
At an equal 100 g, this record has 2.5 g more protein than “Butter, stick.” That is a record-level contrast; it does not identify which ingredient caused the difference.
- 03
Single listed source: Butter, light, stick, with salt
USDA derives this record from one listed source-input row at 100 g. Real preparations can still differ in water, cooking state, brand, and served weight.
05 · Exact-record choice
Select by literal evidence, not the shortest name
Keep this record when “light” fits. Inspect FDC 2710155 when “stick” is the more literal description of the food and preparation.
Keep this profile when these fields fit
Butter, light
- Exact source wording
- “Butter, light”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2710157 · FNDDS 81101520
- Named qualifiers
- light
- Source inputs unique in this pair
- Butter, light, stick, with salt
Inspect this alternative when its fields fit better
Butter, stick
- Exact source wording
- “Butter, stick”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2710155 · FNDDS 81101000
- Named qualifiers
- stick
- Source inputs unique in this pair
- Butter, stick, salted
Choose the closest description
Which USDA record fits your meal?
Treat the long description as data. The phrases doing the most work here are “light”. Match those details first; then compare the database weight with the amount you mean.
On smaller screens, focus a nutrition table and scroll horizontally to read every column.
| Exact record | Source serving | Calories / 100 g | Protein / 100 g | Fat / 100 g | Fiber / 100 g | Sodium / 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This recordButter, light | 14 g70 kcal | 499 kcal | 3.3 g | 55.1 g | 0 g | 450 mg |
| Honey butter | 14 g68 kcal | 485 kcal | 0.5 g | 33.8 g | 0.1 g | 218 mg |
| Butter, tub | 14 g102 kcal | 731 kcal | 0.5 g | 78.3 g | 0 g | 583 mg |
| Butter, stick | 14 g104 kcal | 743 kcal | 0.9 g | 82.2 g | 0 g | 524 mg |
| Ghee, clarified butter | 14 g123 kcal | 876 kcal | 0.3 g | 99.5 g | 0 g | 2 mg |
How to compare FDC 2710157: its source amount is 14 g; every 100-gram column removes portion size from the record-to-record comparison. Neither denominator determines your plate’s weight or recipe.
Household measures
Compare listed portions
For FDC 2710157, the 4 displayed measures scale the same source composition by gram weight; rounding changes presentation, not the underlying ratio.
1 cup
1,118 kcal
224 g
1 tablespoon
70 kcal
14 g
1 pat
35 kcal
7 g
1 individual container
25 kcal
5 g
At a glance
Nutrient signals in the source amount
For FDC 2710157, Saturated fat is the largest displayed non-protein Daily Value signal. Read the set as label context—not a personalized score.
Saturated fat
4.8 g≈ 24% Daily ValueTotal fat
7.7 g≈ 10% Daily ValueVitamin A
65.1 µg≈ 7% Daily ValueThe percentages above apply to FDC 2710157’s 14 g reference amount. FDA Daily Values are general label references, not individualized energy or medical targets. Read the FDA explanation ↗
Nutrition facts
Compare the source serving with 100 grams
Values are rounded for readability. The source serving is 14 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | Approx. % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 70 kcal 499 kcal | Not established Not established |
| Protein | 0.5 g 3.3 g | Not shown Not shown |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g 0 g | 0% 0% |
| Total fat | 7.7 g 55.1 g | 10% 71% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g 0 g | 0% 0% |
| Sugars | 0 g 0 g | Not established Not established |
| Sodium | 63 mg 450 mg | 3% 20% |
| Saturated fat | 4.8 g 34.3 g | 24% 172% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2.2 g 15.9 g | Not established Not established |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g 2.1 g | Not established Not established |
| Cholesterol | 14.8 mg 106 mg | 5% 35% |
| Potassium | 9.9 mg 71 mg | 0% 2% |
| Calcium | 6.7 mg 48 mg | 1% 4% |
| Iron | 0.2 mg 1.1 mg | 1% 6% |
| Magnesium | 0.7 mg 5 mg | 0% 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg 0 mg | 0% 0% |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg 0 µg | 0% 0% |
| Vitamin A | 65.1 µg 465 µg | 7% 52% |
| Caffeine | 0 mg 0 mg | Not established Not established |
| Alcohol | 0 g 0 g | Not established Not established |
| Water | 5.9 g 42.1 g | Not established Not established |
For FDC 2710157, approximate percentages divide the displayed 14 g amount by FDA label Daily Values; they are not personalized targets. “Not established” means FDA sets no Daily Value for that row. Protein %DV remains unshown because adult-label use depends on regulatory context.
Inside the source record
Source formulation behind this USDA record
USDA links FDC 2710157 to one source input totaling 100 g in its standardized formulation. Publishing that exact provenance makes “Butter, light” inspectable beside similarly named records.
How to read this
A single-source formulation
Butter, light, stick, with salt is the only listed source input for this record. That does not mean every real-world version is identical; brands, preparation, water content, and portion weight can still differ.
100 g total listed input weight across the formulation.
| # | USDA input | Listed amount | Input weight | Share of listed input weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Butter, light, stick, with saltUSDA ingredient 4601 | 100 GM | 100 g | 100% |
Exact-record context
What makes this USDA record distinct?
For FDC 2710157, the close-record rule searches the USDA “Butter and animal fats” category for shared description terms or source inputs. Any surviving pair is compared per 100 grams, so unlike source-serving sizes cannot manufacture the nutrient difference.
This record
Butter, light
- USDA category
- Butter and animal fats
- FDC ID
- 2710157
- FNDDS code
- 81101520
Closest inspectable record
Butter, stick
- USDA category
- Butter and animal fats
- FDC ID
- 2710155
- FNDDS code
- 81101000
| Nutrient | This record | Comparison record | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 499 kcal | 743 kcal | −244 kcal |
| Protein | 3.3 g | 0.9 g | +2.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0.1 g | −0.1 g |
| Total fat | 55.1 g | 82.2 g | −27.1 g |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0 g | Same listed value |
| Sodium | 450 mg | 524 mg | −74 mg |
Plain-English read
At the fixed 100-gram basis, this record lists 244 less calories, 2.5 g more protein, and 27.1 g less total fat than “Butter, stick.”
Only this record lists Butter, light, stick, with salt. Only the comparison record lists Butter, stick, salted. Those formulation rows identify different source records; they do not prove which input caused a nutrient difference.
4 of the six displayed differences clear the documented materiality screen. It is a reading aid, not a health rating.
Formulation evidence
The listed formulations differ
The formulation rows differ, but the source data do not isolate which component caused any nutrient difference. Input weights describe the standardized formulation—not final plated proportions.
Listed only in this record: Butter, light, stick, with salt.
Listed only in the comparison: Butter, stick, salted.
Portion evidence
The listed portion sets differ
This record’s reference amount is 14 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 tablespoon (14 g).
The comparison record’s reference amount is 14 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 tablespoon (14 g).
Use the 100-gram row to compare FDC 2710157 with FDC 2710155 at equal mass; use their 14 g and 14 g source amounts only for portion matching.
Evidence boundary: FDC 2710157 versus FDC 2710155 is a comparison of standardized source records—not a measurement of your meal, an overall food-quality rank, or proof that one input caused a difference.
Review the full butter and animal fats source category → Read the calculation and selection methodology →
From record to familiar meal
Guides that use this exact USDA record
These 1 guide place “Butter, light” beside explicitly linked source records; use them to compare preparations without turning FDC 2710157 into a universal recipe.
Uncertainty, made actionable
What can change this estimate?
This is a standardized USDA survey-food profile, not a measurement of every preparation. Actual nutrition can change with amount used, recipe or brand, concentration, oil, sugar, and salt formulation.
For “Butter, light,” resolve amount used first, then move through the remaining 3 published levers. Unknowns should remain visible rather than expanding every assumption at once.
- 01
amount used
When composition is held constant, nutrient totals scale directly with grams. A 20% weight correction produces the same 20% correction to the scaled totals.
- 02
recipe or brand
Prefer a package, menu, or known recipe when it identifies the food more precisely. Otherwise preserve the generic record as an explicit approximation.
- 03
concentration
Estimate what was actually consumed, including liquid left behind. The same bowl volume can contain a different mass and solid-to-liquid balance.
- 04
oil, sugar, and salt formulation
Match the named cooking-fat state when possible. Fat used, retained, or left behind is preparation information that a dish name alone cannot recover.
How we estimated this
The arithmetic is simple; the provenance is the point
FDC 2710157 comes from FoodData Central Survey Foods (FNDDS). Its 499 kcal per 100 g becomes 70 kcal at 14 g through nutrient per portion = nutrient per 100 g × portion grams ÷ 100; this page adds no second nutrition estimate.
About the serving label: USDA describes the underlying survey portion as “Quantity not specified.” The separately listed 1 tablespoon has the same gram weight, so the familiar label can be shown without changing the calculation.
Data cycle: 2021–2023, published October 31, 2024
FoodData Central ID: 2710157
FNDDS food code: 81101520
The scaling for FDC 2710157 can be exact while the match to “Butter, light” is wrong. That is why this profile keeps its 14 g weight, 1-row source formulation, and selection uncertainty beside the arithmetic.
Source release October 31, 2024. Review USDA’s data-type documentation ↗ · Read Feast’s full nutrition methodology.