Calories in idli
1 idli (40 g): 55 kcal · 1.9 g protein · 12.2 g carbs · 0.1 g fat
Calories and macros in idli by portion
| Portion | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 idli (40 g) | 55 | 1.9 | 12.2 | 0.1 |
| 2 idlis (80 g) | 110 | 3.7 | 24.4 | 0.3 |
| 3 idlis (120 g) | 165 | 5.6 | 36.6 | 0.4 |
| 4 idlis (160 g) | 220 | 7.4 | 48.8 | 0.5 |
| 100 g | 138 | 4.6 | 30.5 | 0.3 |
Per-100 g values: Indian Nutrient Databank. Portion weight: ThaliScan's typical home portion (how portions are set).
Protein in idli
1 idli has 1.9 g protein. That is 13% of its calories, or 3.4 g protein per 100 kcal. It also has 0.9 g fibre.
The standard recipe behind these numbers is made with parboiled rice and urad dal.
Idli on a typical plate
| Item | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 idlis (120 g) | 165 | 5.6 |
| ½ large katori of sambar (129 g) | 125 | 4.3 |
| Plate total | 290 | 9.9 |
Why idli calorie numbers differ
Idli is a soft steamed cake of fermented parboiled rice and urad dal batter, cooked with no oil. Because it is steamed, the variation comes from piece size, the rice-to-dal ratio in the batter, and what goes with it, such as ghee, podi mixed with oil or a coconut chutney. Count the idlis you eat and add sambar or chutney separately.
One extra teaspoon of ghee or oil (5 g) adds 45 kcal, 82% of the calories in 1 idli.
The numbers here are for a standard home recipe at 40 g per idli. Weigh your portion or compare it with that weight.
Log idli in ThaliScan
Snap your plate and ThaliScan lists each item with its calories. Set how many idlis you had in a tap. Search and manual logging work offline.
FAQ
How many calories are in 1 idli?
1 idli (40 g) has 55 kcal, with 1.9 g protein, 12.2 g carbs and 0.1 g fat.
How many calories are in 2 idlis?
2 idlis (80 g) have 110 kcal and 3.7 g protein.
How much protein is in idli?
1 idli has 1.9 g protein, and 100 g has 4.6 g.
How much does 1 idli weigh?
This chart uses 40 g for 1 idli, a typical home size. Size changes the calories, so weigh yours once to see how it compares.
Related foods
See the full Indian food calorie chart
Source: Per-100 g values from the Indian Nutrient Databank (INDB), described in Vijayakumar A, Dubasi HB, Awasthi A, Jaacks LM. Development of an Indian Food Composition Database. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2024;8(7):103790 (article, published under CC BY 4.0). Adapted by ThaliScan: values per portion and for several portions are calculated from the per-100 g figures at the weights shown.
Last checked: 10 October 2026. Estimates for general wellness, not medical advice.