Butter vs Mayonnaise

Side-by-side macro comparison. Butter vs Mayonnaise per their standard serving sizes.

Butter

per 1 tbsp (14g)

102 cal
0.1g Protein
0.01g Carbs
12g Fat
Full Butter macros →
vs

Mayonnaise

per 1 tbsp (14g)

94 cal
0.1g Protein
0.1g Carbs
10g Fat
Full Mayonnaise macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Butter Mayonnaise Difference
Calories 102 cal 94 cal +9% Butter
Protein 0.1g 0.1g 0% Butter
Carbs 0.01g 0.1g -90% Butter
Fat 12g 10g +20% Butter

Differences shown relative to Butter. Positive = Butter has more.

Quick Take

Butter delivers 102 calories per serving with 0.1g protein, 0.01g carbs, and 12g fat. Mayonnaise delivers 94 calories with 0.1g protein, 0.1g carbs, and 10g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 8 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Mayonnaise gives you 8 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Mayonnaise delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Butter brings 102 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Mayonnaise delivers 0.1g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.

For Keto / Low-Carb

Both Butter and Mayonnaise are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Butter or Mayonnaise?

Mayonnaise has more protein: 0.1g vs 0.1g per serving. That's a difference of 0g.

Which has fewer calories, Butter or Mayonnaise?

Mayonnaise has 94 calories per serving vs 102 calories in Butter — a difference of 8 calories.

Is Butter or Mayonnaise better for keto?

Butter is the better keto choice at 0.01g carbs per serving vs 0.1g carbs in Mayonnaise.

Is Butter or Mayonnaise better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Mayonnaise gives you more calorie flexibility (8 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Mayonnaise delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Mayonnaise.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Mayonnaise

Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.

💪 Muscle Gain

tie

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Butter

Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.

Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.

Find Your Personal Macros

The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:

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Related Comparisons

Other ways Butter and Mayonnaise stack up:

Full Butter guideFull Mayonnaise guideAll comparisons