FDA Rounding Rules for Nutrition Facts Labels

The FDA does not let you print raw calculated numbers on a Nutrition Facts panel. Each value is rounded by a fixed rule for that nutrient, and the percent Daily Value is worked out from the result. This guide lists the rules our nutrition facts label generator applies.

Why does the FDA require rounding?

Rounding keeps labels consistent and stops false precision. Ingredient data varies from batch to batch, so printing 187.43 calories would claim accuracy nobody has.

The rules come from 21 CFR 101.9(c). They set the step size for each nutrient and a point below which you print zero. Our method page explains where the raw values come from before rounding.

How do you round calories?

Round calories to the nearest 5 up to 50, and to the nearest 10 above 50. Anything under 5 calories prints as 0.

• Under 5 calories: 0
• 5 to 50 calories: nearest 5 (48 becomes 50)
• Above 50 calories: nearest 10 (187 becomes 190)

How do you round fat, saturated fat and trans fat?

Total fat, saturated fat and trans fat share one rule. Under 0.5 g prints as 0, under 5 g goes to the nearest 0.5 g, and 5 g or more goes to the nearest 1 g.

• 0.4 g becomes 0 g
• 2.3 g becomes 2.5 g
• 8.4 g becomes 8 g

How do you round cholesterol, sodium and potassium?

Cholesterol uses 5 mg steps with a special "less than" range. Sodium and potassium use 5 mg steps up to 140 mg and 10 mg steps above that.

• Cholesterol under 2 mg: 0 mg
• Cholesterol from 2 to 5 mg: "less than 5 mg"
• Cholesterol above 5 mg: nearest 5 mg
• Sodium or potassium under 5 mg: 0 mg
• Up to 140 mg: nearest 5 mg (138 becomes 140)
• Above 140 mg: nearest 10 mg (143 becomes 140, 145 becomes 150)

How do you round carbohydrate, fiber, sugars and protein?

Total carbohydrate, fiber, total sugars, added sugars and protein go to the nearest 1 g. Under 0.5 g prints as 0, and 0.5 g to under 1 g may be printed as "less than 1 g".

So 26.6 g of carbohydrate becomes 27 g, and 0.7 g of protein can print as "less than 1 g". Halves round up, so 2.5 g becomes 3 g.

How do you round vitamin D, calcium and iron?

Vitamin D goes to the nearest 0.1 mcg, calcium to the nearest 10 mg and iron to the nearest 0.1 mg. Potassium follows the sodium rule above.

The rules come from 21 CFR 101.9(c). Confirm the vitamin and mineral increments against the current regulation before printing for sale, because the FDA can amend them.

Summary table of rounding rules

This table shows every rule our tool applies, in label order.

What are the Daily Values used for percent Daily Value?

The percent Daily Value compares one serving to a fixed daily reference amount. The label uses these adult reference amounts.

Calories, trans fat, total sugars and protein have no percent Daily Value on the standard panel. We compute the percent from the declared amount and round it to a whole number.

Worked example 1: a muffin

One muffin is a good test, because most values land between steps. Here are the raw numbers and what prints.

• Calories 187 becomes 190.
• Total fat 8.4 g becomes 8 g, which is 10% of 78 g.
• Saturated fat 2.3 g becomes 2.5 g, which is 13% of 20 g.
• Trans fat 0.2 g becomes 0 g.
• Cholesterol 3 mg prints as "less than 5 mg".
• Sodium 212 mg becomes 210 mg, which is 9% of 2,300 mg.
• Carbohydrate 26.6 g becomes 27 g, which is 10% of 275 g.
• Protein 0.7 g prints as "less than 1 g".

Worked example 2: a small cookie

A light cookie shows how the cutoffs behave near zero and near the step changes.

• Calories 52 becomes 50, because above 50 the step is 10.
• Total fat 4.7 g becomes 4.5 g, because it is under 5 g.
• Sodium 143 mg becomes 140 mg, which is 6% of 2,300 mg.
• Dietary fiber 0.3 g becomes 0 g.
• Protein 0.8 g can print as "less than 1 g".

Rounding is a rule on the label, not a statement about your recipe. Values are still estimates, so consider lab testing if accuracy matters for a claim. Read the other guides on label formats and small business exemptions to see whether and how your product needs a panel.