Nutrition Facts Rounding Calculator
Enter the unrounded nutrient amounts in 1 serving. Under 21 CFR 101.9(c), 232.4 kcal and 162 mg of sodium round to 230 calories and 160 mg of sodium on the label.
Last reviewed
Declared Nutrition Facts values
Calories, as declared
230
Lines declared as zero or less than (21 CFR 101.9(c))
2
Declared calories (21 CFR 101.9(c)(1))
230 kcal
Atwater 4-4-9 calories (before rounding)
234.3 kcal
Declared total fat (21 CFR 101.9(c)(2))
8 g
Declared sodium (21 CFR 101.9(c)(4))
160 mg
Declared total carbohydrate (21 CFR 101.9(c)(6))
37 g
Declared protein (21 CFR 101.9(c)(7))
3 g
21 CFR 101.9(g)(5) 120% composite cap on calories
276 kcal
21 CFR 101.9(f) insignificant core nutrients (of 15)
2
Under 21 CFR 101.9(c), 232.4 kcal rounds to 230 calories (4-4-9 check 234.25 kcal; 120% composite cap 276 kcal).
Total fat (8.25 g) rounds to 8 g (10% DV declared, 11% DV actual).
Sodium (162 mg) rounds to 160 mg (7% DV), and 2 panel lines use a 21 CFR 101.9(c) zero or less-than rule.
Unrounded nutrient amounts per serving
- 4-4-9 kcal = (9 × 8.25) + (4 × 37.4) + (4 × 2.6) = 234.25 kcal
- Total fat = 8.25 g -> 8 g (cap 9.6 g)
- Sodium = 162 mg -> 160 mg (7% DV; cap 192 mg)
- Calories = 232.4 kcal rounded (101.9(c)(1)) = 230
Unrounded calories, 21 CFR 101.9(c)(1) declared calories, and 101.9(g)(5) 120% cap across serving multiples
Declared calories and 120% composite caps across FDA rounding tiers
At 4 kcal, the panel declares 0 calories; at 232.4 kcal it declares 230 calories (120% cap 276 kcal); and at 450 kcal it declares 450 calories (120% cap 540 kcal).
| Unrounded calories (kcal) | Declared calories | 120% composite cap | Zero or less-than lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 0 kcal | 3 |
| 25 | 25 | 30 kcal | 2 |
| 45 | 45 | 54 kcal | 2 |
| 55 | 60 | 72 kcal | 2 |
| 120 | 120 | 144 kcal | 2 |
| 232.4 (closest to your input) | 230 | 276 kcal | 2 |
| 280 | 280 | 336 kcal | 2 |
| 450 | 450 | 540 kcal | 2 |
Lines declared as zero or less than under 21 CFR 101.9(c), with unrounded calories down the side and unrounded sodium (mg) across the top.
| Calories by sodium | 4 mg | 35 mg | 140 mg | 145 mg | 162 mg | 850 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 25 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 45 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 55 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 120 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 232.4 (closest to your input) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 280 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 450 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Declared values, per serving
| Nutrient | Amount entered | Declared on the label | % Daily Value (vitamins and minerals) | 21 CFR 101.9(c) rule applied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 232.4 | 230 | — | 101.9(c)(1): nearest 10-calorie increment above 50 calories |
| Total fat | 8.25 g | 8 g | — | 101.9(c)(2): nearest gram increment above 5 grams |
| Saturated fat | 1.1 g | 1 g | — | 101.9(c)(2)(i): nearest 0.5 gram increment below 5 grams |
| Trans fat | 0.3 g | 0 g | — | FDA rule, 101.9(c)(2)(ii): "If the serving contains less than 0.5 gram, the content, when declared, shall be expressed as zero" |
| Cholesterol | 1 mg | 0 mg | — | FDA rule, 101.9(c)(3): products with "less than 2 milligrams cholesterol in a serving" that make no claim about fat, fatty acids, or cholesterol "may state the cholesterol content as zero" |
| Sodium | 162 mg | 160 mg | — | 101.9(c)(4): nearest 10-milligram increment above 140 milligrams |
| Total carbohydrate | 37.4 g | 37 g | — | 101.9(c)(6): nearest gram |
| Dietary fiber | 4.2 g | 4 g | — | 101.9(c)(6)(i): nearest gram |
| Total sugars | 12.3 g | 12 g | — | 101.9(c)(6)(ii): nearest gram |
| Added sugars | 9.8 g | 10 g | — | 101.9(c)(6)(iii): nearest gram |
| Protein | 2.6 g | 3 g | — | 101.9(c)(7): nearest gram |
| Vitamin D | 2.04 mcg | 2 mcg | 10% | 101.9(c)(8)(iii) nearest 5% from above 10% to 50% of the 20 mcg RDI; amount to nearest 0.1 mcg (FDA 2019 guidance) |
| Calcium | 260 mg | 260 mg | 20% | 101.9(c)(8)(iii) nearest 5% from above 10% to 50% of the 1,300 mg RDI; amount to nearest 10 mg (FDA 2019 guidance) |
| Iron | 8 mg | 8 mg | 45% | 101.9(c)(8)(iii) nearest 5% from above 10% to 50% of the 18 mg RDI; amount to nearest 0.1 mg (FDA 2019 guidance) |
| Potassium | 240 mg | 240 mg | 6% | 101.9(c)(8)(iii) nearest 2% up to 10% of the 4,700 mg RDI; amount to nearest 10 mg (FDA 2019 guidance) |
| Vitamin A | 150 mcg RAE | 150 mcg | 15% | 101.9(c)(8)(iii) nearest 5% from above 10% to 50% of the 900 mcg RDI; amount to nearest 10 mcg (FDA 2019 guidance) |
Across 16 panel lines, 2 lines use a 21 CFR 101.9(c) zero or less-than rule, and 2 of the 15 core nutrients sit at 21 CFR 101.9(f)(1) insignificant levels (does not qualify for the >= 8 simplified format).
21 CFR 101.9(c)(9) % Daily Values, 101.9(g) composite limits, and 101.54–101.62 nutrient claims
| Nutrient | Adult DRV (101.9(c)(9)) | %DV from actual amount | %DV from declared amount | 21 CFR 101.9(g) composite limit | 21 CFR 101.54–101.62 per-serving claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 2,000 kcal (ref.) | — | — | <= 276 kcal (120% cap, 101.9(g)(5)) | Above low-calorie limit (> 40 kcal, 21 CFR 101.60(b)) |
| Total fat | 78 g | 11% | 10% | <= 9.6 g (120% cap, 101.9(g)(5)) | Above low-fat limit (> 3 g, 21 CFR 101.62(b)) |
| Saturated fat | 20 g | 6% | 5% | <= 1.2 g (120% cap, 101.9(g)(5)) | Above low-sat-fat limit (> 1 g or > 15% kcal, 21 CFR 101.62(c)) |
| Trans fat | No DRV | — | — | <= 0 g (120% cap, 101.9(g)(5)) | Declared as 0 g (< 0.5 g, 21 CFR 101.9(c)(2)(ii)) |
| Cholesterol | 300 mg | 0% | 0% | <= 0 mg (120% cap, 101.9(g)(5)) | Cholesterol free (< 2 mg & <= 2 g sat fat, 21 CFR 101.62(d)(1)) |
| Sodium | 2,300 mg | 7% | 7% | <= 192 mg (120% cap, 101.9(g)(5)) | Above low-sodium limit (> 140 mg, 21 CFR 101.61(b)) |
| Total carbohydrate | 275 g | 14% | 13% | >= 29.6 g (80% Class II, 101.9(g)(4)(ii)) | Excluded from 21 CFR 101.54 claims (101.54(a)) |
| Dietary fiber | 28 g | 15% | 14% | >= 3.2 g Class II / >= 4 g Class I | Good source of fiber (10%–19% DV, 21 CFR 101.54(c); disclose fat > 3 g (101.54(d))) |
| Total sugars | No DRV | — | — | <= 14.4 g (120% cap, 101.9(g)(5)) | Above sugar-free limit (>= 0.5 g, 21 CFR 101.60(c)(1)) |
| Added sugars | 50 g | 20% | 20% | <= 12 g (120% cap, 101.9(g)(5)) | High (%DV >= 20% FDA general guide) |
| Protein | 50 g | 5% | 6% | >= 2.4 g Class II / >= 3 g Class I | Below good-source threshold (< 10% DV, 21 CFR 101.54(c)) |
Under 21 CFR 101.9(d)(7)(ii), dividing either the declared amount or the actual unrounded amount by the 101.9(c)(9) adult DRV is permitted; under 101.9(g)(5), the 12-unit composite may not exceed 120% of declared calories (276 kcal) or sodium (192 mg).
Single-serving vs. multi-serving 21 CFR 101.9(c) rounding and 101.9(g)(5) 120% composite cap
| Servings | Unrounded calories (kcal) | Declared calories (101.9(c)(1)) | 120% composite cap (kcal) | Unrounded sodium (mg) | Declared sodium (101.9(c)(4)) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 116.2 | 120 | 144 | 81.0 | 80 |
| 0.75 | 174.3 | 170 | 204 | 121.5 | 120 |
| 1 | 232.4 | 230 | 276 | 162.0 | 160 |
| 1.25 | 290.5 | 290 | 348 | 202.5 | 200 |
| 1.5 | 348.6 | 350 | 420 | 243.0 | 240 |
| 2 | 464.8 | 460 | 552 | 324.0 | 320 |
| 2.5 | 581.0 | 580 | 696 | 405.0 | 410 |
| 3 | 697.2 | 700 | 840 | 486.0 | 490 |
For dual-column containers (200%–300% of RACC under 21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)), rounding 2x and 3x unrounded amounts directly gives 460 kcal and 700 kcal, vs. 460 kcal and 690 kcal when multiplying the single-serving declaration.
How FDA 21 CFR 101.9(c) Nutrition Facts rounding works
A US food label never prints raw lab decimals. Under 21 CFR 101.9(c), each line has its own step size and zero rule. Under 101.9(c)(1), calories show as 0 below 5 kcal. From 5 to 50 kcal, they round to the nearest 5 kcal. Above 50 kcal, they round to the nearest 10 kcal.
Under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(2), total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat show as 0 g below 0.5 g. Below 5 g, they round to 0.5 g steps. From 5 g up, they round to 1 g steps. Under 101.9(c)(3), cholesterol shows as 0 mg below 2 mg and as less than 5 mg from 2 to 5 mg. Above 5 mg, it rounds to 5 mg steps. Under 101.9(c)(4), sodium shows as 0 mg below 5 mg, rounds to 5 mg steps up to 140 mg, and rounds to 10 mg steps above 140 mg.
Under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(6) and (c)(7), carbs, fiber, sugars, and protein show as 0 g below 0.5 g. From 0.5 g to under 1 g, they show as less than 1 g. From 1 g up, they round to 1 g steps. Under 101.9(d)(7)(ii), macro %DV divides either the label amount or raw amount by the Daily Value and rounds to a whole percent. Check single lines in the Daily Value tool or convert sugar in the sugar to teaspoons tool.
Under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iii), vitamin and mineral %DV rounds to 2% steps from 2% to 10% RDI. It rounds to 5% steps above 10% to 50% RDI, and to 10% steps above 50% RDI. Below 2% RDI, it shows as 0. Weight steps follow Section VI of the December 2019 FDA Q&A guide. The step is 0.01 when RDI is under 5, and 0.1 from 5 to under 50. It is 1 from 50 to under 250, 5 from 250 to under 500, and 10 at 500 or more.
Actual vs. declared % Daily Value (21 CFR 101.9(d)(7)(ii)) and FDA 2019 vitamin increments
Under 21 CFR 101.9(d)(7)(ii) and Section VI of the December 2019 FDA Q&A guide, a maker may find %DV "by dividing either the amount declared on the label for each nutrient or the actual amount of each nutrient (i.e., before rounding) by the DRV for the nutrient." On the default serving (the 21 CFR 101.9(d)(12) sample label), the two paths differ by 1 point on five lines. Total fat (8.25 g vs. 78 g DRV) is 10.6% raw (11% DV) vs. 10.3% from 8 g (10% DV). Saturated fat (1.1 g vs. 20 g) is 5.5% raw vs. 5% from 1 g (6 vs. 5 points). Carbs (37.4 g vs. 275 g) are 13.6% raw (14% DV) vs. 13.5% from 37 g (13% DV). Fiber (4.2 g vs. 28 g) is 15.0% raw vs. 14.3% from 4 g (15 vs. 14 points). Protein (2.6 g vs. 50 g) is 5.2% raw (5% DV) vs. 6 points from 3 g.
For the 27 vitamins and minerals in 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv), an amount below 2% of its RDI shows as 0. That floor is 0.4 mcg for vitamin D, 26 mg for calcium, 0.36 mg for iron, and 94 mg for potassium. Above that floor, the August 2019 FDA unit guide shows half-up tie rounding across all three RDI bands. In Example 1, 120 mcg DFE folate (30% of 400 mcg) rounds to 120 mcg DFE and 30% DV. In Example 2, 340 mcg DFE folate (85%) rounds half-up to 90% DV. In Example 3, 90 mcg DFE folate (22.5%) rounds half-up to 25% DV. In Example 14, 2.5 mcg vitamin D (12.5% of 20 mcg) rounds half-up to 15% DV. In Example 18, 2.01 mg vitamin E (13.4% of 15 mg) rounds to 2 mg and 15% DV.
21 CFR 101.9(g) 12-unit composite tolerances, 101.9(f) simplified panels, and nutrient claims
Rounding a batch is only half of the job. Under 21 CFR 101.9(g)(2), the FDA tests a mix of 12 packs pulled from 12 cases. Under 101.9(g)(4)(i), added Class I nutrients must test at 100% or more of the label number. Under 101.9(g)(4)(ii), natural Class II nutrients must test at 80% or more of the label number. That means at least 29.6 g for 37 g carbs, or 3.2 g for 4 g fiber. Under 101.9(g)(5), calories, sugars, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium cannot top 120% of the label value. For the default serving, that 120% cap is 276 kcal, 9.6 g fat, and 192 mg sodium.
Under 21 CFR 101.9(f)(1), a food can use the short label when 8 or more of the 15 core lines sit at zero or less-than levels. Front-of-pack claims follow 21 CFR 101.54 and 101.60–101.62 per RACC. Calorie free is under 5 kcal, and low calorie is 40 kcal or less. Fat free is under 0.5 g, and low fat is 3 g or less. Saturated fat free is under 0.5 g of both saturated and trans fat. Low saturated fat is 1 g or less and at most 15 percent of calories. Cholesterol free is under 2 mg (with at most 2 g saturated fat), and low cholesterol is 20 mg or less. Sodium free is under 5 mg, very low sodium is 35 mg or less, and low sodium is 140 mg or less. Sugar free is under 0.5 g, good source is 10% to 19% DV, and high is 20% DV or more. Scale eaten meals in the portion tool.
Video walkthrough
A 3½-minute walkthrough of how raw nutrient amounts become Nutrition Facts label values, Daily Values and composite limits under 21 CFR 101.9.
Read the transcript
What the label prints
0:00 How does a raw number become a label number?
0:03 On the FDA's sample serving, 232.4 kcal are declared as 230 kcal.
0:10 162 mg of sodium is declared as 160 mg.
0:16 The page calculates the entire Nutrition Facts panel at once, and every single line of it carries its own separate, individual, unique step size.
0:25 The FDA sets that size for each one of the individual lines.
0:29 Any amount that you change moves the entire panel again; every single card on the panel follows immediately.
0:36 Every value on the cards is calculated from the exact amounts entered.
0:40 Afterwards, the declared values can be checked line by line, before anything is ever printed on the label, the carton, or the can.
The step each line uses
0:49 Calories from 5 to 50 are rounded to the nearest 5.
0:52 Above 50, they round to the nearest 10 instead.
0:56 Below 5, a label may print zero.
0:59 Type 55 kcal into the field, and the declared value rounds to 60 kcal.
1:05 The page uses the step the FDA sets for that particular band of calories.
1:10 Fat, carbohydrate and protein each have their own step.
1:14 Each one is calculated individually from the raw amount you entered.
1:18 It is then rounded separately for the printed label.
Where the calories come from
1:21 The calories on a label are rounded from the measured calories.
1:25 That is precisely the number you originally entered for the serving.
1:29 The page's worked sheet applies the Atwater factors to the raw grams, before any rounding, so the cross-check is calculated on those particular grams, not on the rounded amounts the label prints.
1:41 On this serving that check comes to 234.3 kcal, which rounds to 230 kcal, the number the label prints.
1:50 On the label's rounded grams the sum would be 232 kcal; the factors are applied before rounding; the check is not made that way.
Which Daily Value to print
1:59 A maker may print the Daily Value directly from the original raw amount.
2:04 Alternatively, it may be calculated from the declared amount on the label.
2:08 On this serving, total fat is 11% from the raw amount, and 10% from the label amount.
2:14 Both ways are allowed by the FDA.
2:17 The label prints 8 grams of fat, against a Daily Value of 78 grams.
2:22 They differ here, because the label amount is the rounded value.
2:26 8 grams divided by 78 grams is 10%.
What a bigger box changes
2:30 On a box holding several servings, the package column is always rounded as its own separate total.
2:37 The chart's horizontal axis runs from half of one serving up to 3.
2:41 The chart also shows the declared line and the composite ceiling.
2:46 For 3 servings, rounding the raw amounts gives 700 kcal.
2:50 Multiply the declared single serving by 3 instead, and you get 690 kcal.
2:56 The page shows both.
2:58 The difference is visible before a box is printed.
What the page leaves to you
3:01 The page also shows the most the tested composite may hold.
3:05 On this serving, that ceiling is 276 kcal.
3:09 The composite of 12 subsamples may not be more than 120% of the declared calories.
3:15 The arithmetic is completed for you, on the step sizes that the FDA sets, and the remaining decisions belong to the maker.
3:23 Which Daily Value you print, and keeping the composite under the ceiling, are the maker's decisions.
3:29 Try the page's own example at fastcalc.us.
21 CFR 101.9(c) rounding increments, %DV, and 101.9(g) formulas
calories (21 CFR 101.9(c)(1)): < 5 -> 0; 5 to 50 -> nearest 5; > 50 -> nearest 10 Atwater 4-4-9 check (21 CFR 101.9(c)(1)(i)(B)): kcal = (9 × fat g) + (4 × carbohydrate g) + (4 × protein g) [before rounding] total, saturated, and trans fat (21 CFR 101.9(c)(2)): < 0.5 g -> 0 g; < 5 g -> nearest 0.5 g; >= 5 g -> nearest 1 g cholesterol (21 CFR 101.9(c)(3)): < 2 mg -> 0 mg; 2 to 5 mg -> "less than 5 mg"; > 5 mg -> nearest 5 mg sodium (21 CFR 101.9(c)(4)): < 5 mg -> 0 mg; 5 to 140 mg -> nearest 5 mg; > 140 mg -> nearest 10 mg carbohydrate, fiber, sugars, protein (21 CFR 101.9(c)(6)–(7)): < 0.5 g -> 0 g; 0.5 to < 1 g -> "less than 1 g"; >= 1 g -> nearest 1 g macronutrient %DV (21 CFR 101.9(d)(7)(ii)) = round_half_up((actual or declared amount ÷ DRV) × 100) vitamin/mineral %DV (21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iii)) = amount ÷ RDI × 100: < 2% -> 0%; <= 10% -> nearest 2%; <= 50% -> nearest 5%; > 50% -> nearest 10% 21 CFR 101.9(g) composite limits: Class I >= 1.00 × declared; Class II >= 0.80 × declared; calories/fats/sugars/chol/sodium <= 1.20 × declared
Worked FDA Nutrition Facts rounding examples
Take the default 21 CFR 101.9(d)(12) sample serving. It has 232.4 kcal, 8.25 g fat, 1.1 g saturated fat, 0.3 g trans fat, 1 mg cholesterol, and 162 mg sodium. It also holds 37.4 g carbs, 4.2 g fiber, 12.3 g total sugars, 9.8 g added sugars, and 2.6 g protein. On the label, calories round to 230 and fat rounds to 8 g. Saturated fat rounds to 1 g, trans fat to 0 g, cholesterol to 0 mg, and sodium to 160 mg (7% DV). Carbs round to 37 g and fiber to 4 g. Total sugars round to 12 g, added sugars to 10 g (20% DV), and protein to 3 g. The 4-4-9 check on raw grams is 74.25 + 149.6 + 10.4 = 234.25 kcal (230 kcal rounded).
Now check the vitamins on that same serving. Vitamin D at 2.04 mcg is 10.2% of the 20 mcg RDI, which rounds to 2 mcg and 10% DV. Calcium at 260 mg is 20.0% of 1,300 mg (260 mg, 20% DV). Iron at 8 mg is 44.4% of 18 mg (8 mg, 45% DV). Potassium at 240 mg is 5.1% of 4,700 mg, rounding to 240 mg and 6% DV. Optional Vitamin A at 150 mcg RAE (500 IU retinol in FDA Example 12) is 16.7% of 900 mcg, rounding to 150 mcg and 15% DV.
Next, check a 3-serving two-column box (21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)) and the FDA lasagna. Tripling the raw default serving gives 3 × 232.4 = 697.2 kcal and 3 × 162 = 486 mg sodium. On the box column, those round to 700 kcal (120% cap 840 kcal) and 490 mg sodium. That is 10 kcal and 10 mg higher than 3 × 230 = 690 kcal and 3 × 160 = 480 mg. The FDA lasagna has 280 kcal, 9 g fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 35 mg cholesterol, and 850 mg sodium. It also has 34 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 6 g sugars, 0 g added sugars, and 15 g protein, with a 120% cap of 336 kcal and 1,020 mg sodium.
Assumptions, FDA 2019 guidance, and 21 CFR 101.9 scope
- Rules come from 21 CFR 101.9(c)(1)–(9), (d)(7)(ii), (f), and (g), plus 21 CFR 101.12, 101.54, and 101.60–101.62 (eCFR current as of 29 October 2026). This tool does math on FDA step sizes and is not legal advice.
- Where 21 CFR 101.9(c) allows 0 or a less-than phrase, the table picks that rule. Those cutoffs are < 5 kcal, < 0.5 g fat or carb, < 2 mg or 2–5 mg cholesterol, < 5 mg sodium, and < 2% RDI vitamin. A maker may instead print the nearest step or drop allowed zero lines with a footnote.
- Half-way ties round up (0.5 -> 1). Both the August 2019 FDA unit guide (Examples 2, 3, and 14) and the 21 CFR 101.9(b)(5)(ix) serving-size rule round exact half-way values up to the next step.
- Vitamin and mineral gram steps use Section VI of the December 2019 FDA Q&A guide (0.01, 0.1, 1, 5, or 10 mg/mcg by RDI tier). That table is nonbinding FDA advice. August 2019 Example 11 prints 515 mcg RAE of vitamin A where the 10 mcg step gives 520 mcg.
- Daily Values use the adult targets for ages 4 and up on a 2,000 kcal diet. Separate targets apply to infants, ages 1 to 3, and pregnant or nursing women in 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) and (c)(9).
- Claim checks in the second table assume 1 serving is 1 RACC over 30 g. Small RACC foods (30 g or less, or 2 tbsp or less) test per 50 g, and meals test per 100 g under 21 CFR 101.13 and 101.54–101.62.
These figures are general information, not medical or dietary advice. Ask a doctor or registered dietitian about your own needs. Terms of use.
What to do with your rounded label declarations
Always round from raw batch numbers, never from already-rounded lines. Scale your recipe in the recipe scaler or from #10 cans in the can size converter first, then compare the multi-serving table above.
Pick either raw-amount %DV or label-amount %DV and keep it across the whole box. Under 21 CFR 101.9(d)(7)(ii), 8 g label fat ÷ 78 g DRV gives 10% DV, while 8.25 g raw fat gives 11% DV. You can also test individual nutrients in the Daily Value tool.
Leave headroom for batch variation under 21 CFR 101.9(g) before printing boxes. Use the second table to check the 12-pack composite floor for fortified Class I and natural Class II nutrients and the ceiling for calories, fats, sugars, cholesterol, and sodium.
Convert kitchen salt and sugar weights before rounding. One teaspoon (6 g) of table salt across 4 servings adds 582 mg of raw sodium per serving (580 mg on the label, 25% DV) in the salt to sodium tool. You can also check spoon counts for 10 g of added sugars in the sugar to teaspoons tool.
FDA Nutrition Facts rounding questions
Why does a Nutrition Facts label say 0 g trans fat or 0 mg sodium when the food contains a small amount?
Under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(2)(ii), trans fat below 0.5 g per serving (such as 0.3 g or 0.49 g) shows as 0 g. Under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(4), sodium below 5 mg (up to 4.9 mg) shows as 0 mg. Calories below 5 kcal show as 0, and cholesterol below 2 mg shows as 0 mg. Carbs, fiber, sugars, or protein below 0.5 g can also show as 0 g.
Is the % Daily Value calculated from the unrounded nutrient amount or the rounded label amount?
Either way is legal. Under 21 CFR 101.9(d)(7)(ii), a maker may divide either the label amount or the raw amount by the Daily Value. Then they round to a whole percent. The second table above shows both columns side by side so you can keep one method across the whole box.
When does a label print less than 1 g or less than 5 mg instead of a number?
Under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(6) and (c)(7), carbs, fiber, total sugars, added sugars, and protein from 0.5 g to under 1 g (such as 0.75 g or 0.99 g) can show as "less than 1 gram" (or "Contains less than 1 gram"). Under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(3), cholesterol from 2 mg to 5 mg (such as 3.5 mg) shows as "less than 5 milligrams".
How are vitamin and mineral weights and % Daily Values rounded under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)?
Under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iii), %DV uses the RDI bands shown in How It Works. An amount below two percent of the RDI (such as 0.25 mg NE niacin, or 1.6% of 16 mg) shows as 0. Weight steps follow the December 2019 FDA Q&A table by RDI tier. Thiamin (1.2 mg), B12 (2.4 mcg), and copper (0.9 mg) round to a hundredth. Vitamin D (20 mcg) and iron (18 mg) round to a tenth. Vitamin C (90 mg) rounds to 1 mg, magnesium (420 mg) to 5 mg, and phosphorus (1,250 mg) to 10 mg.
Why don't the calories on a label always equal 9 × fat + 4 × carbs + 4 × protein?
First, 21 CFR 101.9(c)(1)(i) applies the 4-4-9 factors to raw grams before rounding. On the default serving, (9 × 8.25) + (4 × 37.4) + (4 × 2.6) = 234.25 kcal. From rounded grams, (9 × 8) + (4 × 37) + (4 × 3) = 232 kcal, and both round to 230 kcal. Second, 101.9(c)(1)(i)(A)–(F) also allows specific Atwater factors or bomb calorimetry minus 1.25 kcal/g protein. Makers can also subtract non-digestible carbs (with 2 kcal/g for soluble fiber) or use sugar alcohol factors.
When can a food use the 21 CFR 101.9(f) simplified label format, and when is a dual-column panel required?
A package qualifies for the 21 CFR 101.9(f)(1) simplified panel when at least 8 of the 15 core nutrients sit at insignificant levels. Flavored sparkling water with 14 zero lines is one example. Under 21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i), a pack holding 200% to 300% of the RACC uses two columns to show both 1 serving and the whole pack.
Sources
- eCFR, 21 CFR 101.9, Nutrition labeling of food (current version)
- eCFR, 21 CFR 101.12, Reference amounts customarily consumed per eating occasion (current version)
- eCFR, 21 CFR 101.54, Nutrient content claims for good source, high, more, and high potency (current version)
- eCFR, 21 CFR 101.60, Nutrient content claims for the calorie content of foods (current version)
- eCFR, 21 CFR 101.61, Nutrient content claims for the sodium content of foods (current version)
- eCFR, 21 CFR 101.62, Nutrient content claims for fat, fatty acid, and cholesterol content of foods (current version)
- FDA, Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels: Questions and Answers: Guidance for Industry (page modified Dec 16, 2019)
- FDA, Converting Units of Measure for Folate, Niacin, and Vitamins A, D, and E: Guidance for Industry (page modified Aug 12, 2019)
- FDA, Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels (page reviewed Mar 5, 2024)
- FDA, How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label (page reviewed Mar 5, 2024)
- FDA, Calories on the Nutrition Facts Label (page reviewed Mar 5, 2024)
- FDA, Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label (page reviewed Mar 4, 2026)
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