By Dr. Emily Johnson · Published March 18, 2025 · 5 min read
How many calories in a slice of pizza? The honest answer is "it depends" — but in a range most people don't realize is that wide. A thin-crust cheese slice from a major chain can clock in at 170 calories, while a deep-dish meat lover's slice at a New York joint can hit 600. According to the USDA FoodData Central, a generic fast-food cheese pizza slice (about 107g) contains 285 calories — a useful middle-ground baseline.
This guide breaks down calories by brand, crust type, and topping so you always know what you're ordering.
Calories Per Slice by Brand
The table below shows one slice (1/8 of a medium pie) from the four biggest US pizza chains, based on their published nutrition data.
| Brand & Style | Crust | Calories/Slice |
|---|---|---|
| Domino's — Cheese | Hand Tossed (medium) | 200–210 |
| Domino's — Pepperoni | Hand Tossed (medium) | 250–290 |
| Domino's — Cheese | Thin Crust (medium) | 150–175 |
| Pizza Hut — Cheese | Thin 'N Crispy (medium) | 190–200 |
| Pizza Hut — Cheese | Hand Tossed (medium) | 220–240 |
| Pizza Hut — Pepperoni | Stuffed Crust (large) | 330–400 |
| Papa John's — Cheese | Original Crust (medium) | 210–220 |
| Papa John's — Cheese | Thin Crust (medium, 12") | 154 |
| Little Caesars — Pepperoni | HOT-N-READY (14", 1/8) | 280 |
| Little Caesars — Pepperoni | Deep Dish | 360–400 |
ℹ️ New York vs. Chain Slices
A slice from a New York-style parlor like Sbarro can weigh 180–200g — nearly double a standard chain slice. That size difference explains why a single NY cheese slice can reach 430–500 calories even before toppings.
How Crust Type Changes the Calorie Count
Crust is the single biggest variable in pizza calories. Moving from thin to deep dish can nearly double the calorie count of an identical slice.
| Crust Style | Typical Calories/Slice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cauliflower / keto crust | 110–180 | Less flour, lower carbs |
| Thin crust | 150–220 | Less dough = fewer carbs and calories |
| Hand-tossed / regular | 200–300 | Standard reference point for most chains |
| Pan / thick crust | 280–380 | More dough absorbs oil during baking |
| Deep dish (Chicago-style) | 380–500 | Thick dough wall + extra cheese |
| Stuffed crust | Add ~100 vs. regular | Extra cheese baked into the rim |
Switching from a pan crust to thin crust on a medium pepperoni pizza typically saves 80–120 calories per slice — or up to 720 calories across a full six-slice personal pizza. That's the equivalent of a small meal.
For more on how small food swaps add up, see our guide to portion sizes and calorie control.
Toppings: What Adds the Most Calories
Cheese pizza is the baseline. Every topping after that adds calories at different rates.
| Topping | Extra Calories vs. Plain Cheese |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms, peppers, onions | +10–30 |
| Olives | +20–40 |
| Extra cheese (+1 oz) | +50–80 |
| Pepperoni | +50–80 |
| Italian sausage | +70–120 |
| Meat lovers (all meats) | +150–200 |
| Alfredo sauce (vs. tomato) | +80–120 |
Vegetable toppings are essentially free from a calorie standpoint — they add volume and nutrients without meaningfully changing the count. Swapping sausage for mushrooms on a large pizza saves roughly 700 calories across 8 slices.
⚠️ Sauce Matters Too
Most people overlook the sauce. Alfredo (white) sauce adds 80–120 extra calories per slice compared to classic tomato marinara. BBQ sauce sits in the middle at +40–60 calories. If you're watching your intake, stick to a simple tomato base.
Frozen Pizza Calories Per Slice
Home pizza brands have different serving-size conventions, making comparisons tricky. DiGiorno typically defines a serving as 1/4 or 1/5 of the pizza rather than 1/8 — which means each "slice" is already larger than a standard chain slice.
| Frozen Pizza | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni | 1/5 pizza (140g) | 330 |
| DiGiorno Four Cheese Rising Crust | 1/4 pizza (~155g) | 310–468 |
| DiGiorno Original Thin Crust Pepperoni | 1/5 pizza | 300 |
If you cut a DiGiorno Rising Crust pizza into 8 equal slices instead of the 5 servings on the label, each slice drops to roughly 200–240 calories — closer to chain restaurant numbers.
Tips for a Lower-Calorie Slice
Knowing the numbers is useful; knowing how to act on them is better. Here are the four highest-leverage swaps:
These four swaps together can reduce a slice from ~380 calories to around 180–200 calories — without giving up pizza.
If you're aiming for a specific calorie target, read our guide on how many calories you should eat per day to know what budget you're working with.
For context, two thin-crust cheese slices (~400 calories) sit comfortably within a calorie deficit meal plan when the rest of the day is balanced. Pizza isn't inherently off-limits — the calories just need to land somewhere in your daily total. Learn more about how individual foods fit into your overall intake in our calories and weight loss guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a slice of cheese pizza?
A standard medium cheese pizza slice (1/8 of a 12-inch pie) contains 200 to 290 calories at most major chains. Thin crust versions come in at 150–200 calories. Deep-dish cheese slices can reach 350–450 calories.
How many calories are in 2 slices of pizza?
Two slices of medium hand-tossed cheese pizza from Domino's or Pizza Hut contain roughly 440–580 calories. Two pepperoni slices push that to 500–680 calories. Two thin-crust cheese slices run closer to 300–400 calories.
Which pizza slice has the fewest calories?
Thin crust cheese or veggie pizza consistently has the fewest calories per slice — 150–200 calories from major chains. For even lower options, cauliflower crust pizzas at fast-casual chains like Blaze can drop to 110–140 calories per slice.
Does pizza size affect calories per slice?
Yes — significantly. A "slice" is usually 1/8 of a pie, but a 14-inch large and a 10-inch small cut into 8 pieces yield very different slice sizes. A slice from a 14-inch pie has roughly 35% more surface area than a slice from a 12-inch, so the same number of slices from a larger pie means more calories per slice.
ℹ️ Medical Disclaimer
The calorie figures in this article are general estimates based on published nutrition data. Individual products vary by location and preparation. Always check the brand's official nutrition page for exact figures.
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