McDonald's under 500 calories: 80 orders, ranked

Of the 105 single orders we track at McDonald's, 80 come in at or under 500 calories — 76%. The most protein in one item under 500 is the McCrispy Strips (3), 31 g for 400 calories; the most filling by protein and fiber per calorie is the McCrispy Strips (3) (31 g protein, 2 g fiber, 400 cal). 16 entrées fit under 500; 9 do not.

Source: McDonald's nutrition guide (official) · Data refreshed September 16, 2026

• 80 orders under 500
• 31g most protein in one item
• 39g protein in a full meal
• 9 entrées over 500

As of October 2026, 80 of the 105 McDonald's single orders we track come in at or under 500 calories, and the most protein in a complete McDonald's meal under 500 is 39 g (3 McCrispy Strips and a 1% Low Fat Milk Jug).

Three complete McDonald's meals under 500 calories

Under 500, the most-protein meal is built on the McCrispy Strips (3) (400 cal), which leaves 100 calories for its sides and drink. One meal-sized entrée, up to two different sides and a drink — the MinMax app's meal and the best under the cap, drink included (water only where no published drink fits; the lightest meal takes a zero-calorie drink, or water). The lightest meal is unchanged from under 400; the others use the extra 100 calories.

Build your own McDonald's order under 500 calories → Swap any item, add a side, share the link.

Every McDonald's order under 500 calories, ranked by protein

Single orders only — no desserts, kids' meals, combos, sauces or toppings — by grams of protein, then calories. The median order under 500 is 320 calories and 16 of the 80 are entrées. Figures as McDonald's published them, rounded to whole numbers (how we check them).

What 500 calories buys at McDonald's

Going from 400 to 500 calories adds 21 orders: Caramel Apple Pie Latte (Medium) (410), Chicken McNuggets (10) (410), Caramel Apple Pie Iced Latte (Large) (420), Caramel Frappé (Small) (420), Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles (430), Mocha Frappé (Small) (430), Sausage McGriddles (430) and Double Cheeseburger (440) and 13 more.

What doesn't fit under 500

9 of 25 McDonald's entrées are over 500 calories; the lightest of them, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, misses by 20 calories at 520. With more room, see McDonald's under 600. Tighter budget: McDonald's under 400. Closest misses: Quarter Pounder with Cheese (520), Deluxe McCrispy (530), McCrispy Strips (4) (530), Spicy Deluxe McCrispy (530) and Spicy McCrispy (530).

More at McDonald's

• McDonald's calories & nutrition (123 items listed)
• McDonald's under 300 calories (32 orders)
• McDonald's under 400 calories (59 orders)
• McDonald's under 600 calories (93 orders)
• High-protein McDonald's orders (14 items)
• McDonald's calorie calculator (build an order under your cap)

Under 500 calories at other chains

The same cap at 3 Burgers chains, or the cross-chain pillar: fast food under 500 calories.

• Burger King under 500
• Wendy's under 500
• Sonic Drive-In under 500