Dark chocolate vs Milk chocolate: calories and macros compared

Per 100 g, Dark chocolate has 598 calories and 7.8 g of protein, while Milk chocolate has 535 calories and 7.7 g. Milk chocolate is the lighter choice, 63 kcal fewer per 100 g. Dark chocolate carries more protein, 0.1 g more per 100 g.

Side by side, per 100 g

Per 100 g	Dark chocolate	Milk chocolate
Calories	598 kcal	535 kcal
Protein	7.8 g	7.7 g
Carbs	45.9 g	59.4 g
Fat	42.6 g	29.7 g
Fiber	10.9 g	3.4 g

The verdict

Milk chocolate for fewer calories, Dark chocolate for more protein.

A note on the numbers

Both columns are USDA FoodData Central numbers — the same sourced data Joules logs from, rather than the crowd-sourced entries that make many trackers disagree with each other.

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Frequently asked questions

Which has fewer calories, Dark chocolate or Milk chocolate?

Per 100 g, Dark chocolate has 598 calories and Milk chocolate has 535. Milk chocolate is lower by 63 kcal. Compare per 100 g first, then scale to your actual portion.

Which has more protein, Dark chocolate or Milk chocolate?

Per 100 g, Dark chocolate has 7.8 g of protein and Milk chocolate has 7.7 g. Dark chocolate has 0.1 g more.

Is Dark chocolate or Milk chocolate better for weight loss?

Neither is off-limits. Fewer calories per 100 g gives you more room in a deficit, but portion size and the rest of your day matter more than the swap itself. Log whichever you actually eat and watch your daily total.

Where do these numbers come from?

Both foods come from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy): FDC ID 170273 for Dark chocolate and 167587 for Milk chocolate, taken per 100 g so the comparison is like-for-like.

Full nutrition for each

Calories in Dark chocolate

598 kcal / 100 g

Calories in Milk chocolate

535 kcal / 100 g

A note on accuracy: calculators like this one provide estimates based on population-level formulas — your real needs vary with genetics, muscle mass, medical conditions, and more. Results are for information only and are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription. Talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or exercise, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are under 18.