Nutrition from McDonald’s official U.S. data · Checked Oct. 25, 2026 · Independent guide
10 piece Chicken McNuggets price, calories, protein, every size from 4 to 40 pieces, sauce calories and the meal, all in one place.
A 10 piece Chicken McNuggets at McDonald’s has 410 calories, 23 grams of protein and 26 grams of carbs. It costs $6.49 at many U.S. restaurants, and the meal with medium fries and a drink usually runs $8.00 to $10.49.
Below you’ll find the full nutrition panel, every size from 4 to 40 pieces, sauce calories and the cheapest way to buy McNuggets. For everything else on the menu, see our McDonald’s menu with prices.
10 piece McNuggets at a glance
| Detail | 10 pc Chicken McNuggets |
|---|---|
| Calories | 410 |
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbs | 26 g |
| Total fat | 24 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg (37% DV) |
| Chicken | All white meat |
| Typical price | $6.49 (seen from $5.60 to $7.69) |
| Meal price | $8.00 – $10.49 |
Nutrition comes from McDonald’s U.S. product pages and doesn’t include sauce. Prices are set by each restaurant, so check your local store in the McDonald’s app.
How much is a 10 piece Chicken McNuggets?
The 10 piece Chicken McNuggets costs $6.49 at many U.S. McDonald’s restaurants. Prices we’ve seen run from about $5.60 in lower-cost areas to $7.69 in big cities.
The spread comes from franchising. Most McDonald’s restaurants are owned by local operators, and each one sets its own menu prices.
How much is the 10 piece McNuggets meal?
The 10 piece Chicken McNuggets Meal comes with medium fries and a medium soft drink. It usually costs $8.00 to $10.49, and you can compare it with other combos in our Extra Value Meals price list.
Going large adds roughly a dollar or more for large fries and a large drink. In August 2026, McDonald’s promoted the 10 piece meal for $8 at participating restaurants, so check the app’s Deals tab before you pay full price.
Why does delivery cost more?
Delivery apps often list menu items above in-store prices. Grubhub, for example, showed the 10 piece McNuggets Meal starting at $12.99 before fees.
If you order through McDelivery on DoorDash or Uber Eats, compare the in-app price with the McDonald’s app. Pickup is almost always cheaper.
Every McNuggets size compared
McDonald’s sells Chicken McNuggets in five U.S. sizes: 4, 6, 10, 20 and 40 pieces. Here’s how they stack up on price and calories.
| Size | Typical price | Price per nugget | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 piece | $2.79 | about 70¢ | 170 | 9 g |
| 6 piece | about $3.99 | about 67¢ | 250 | 14 g |
| 10 piece | $6.49 | about 65¢ | 410 | 23 g |
| 20 piece | about $8.39 | about 42¢ | 830 | 46 g |
| 40 piece | about $14.79 | about 37¢ | 1,650 | 92 g |
The price per nugget barely moves from 4 to 10 pieces. The big drop comes at 20 pieces, where each nugget costs about a third less.
Is a 20 piece cheaper than two 10 pieces?
Yes, by a wide margin at typical prices. Two 10 piece orders cost about $12.98, while one 20 piece is about $8.39.
That’s around $4.50 saved for the same 20 nuggets. If you’re sharing or don’t mind leftovers, the 20 piece is the better buy.
Are 20 piece McNuggets still $5?
Not at regular menu prices. At most restaurants we track, the 20 piece costs around $8.39.
McDonald’s does run short-term McNuggets deals in the app, and some local stores set lower prices. Check the app’s Deals section for your restaurant.
How many calories are in a 6 piece McNuggets?
A 6 piece Chicken McNuggets has 250 calories, 14 grams of protein and 15 grams of carbs. That’s 160 calories fewer than the 10 piece.
10 piece Chicken McNuggets nutrition facts
McDonald’s U.S. lists these numbers for one 10 piece Chicken McNuggets, without sauce:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 410 | — |
| Total fat | 24 g | 31% |
| Saturated fat | 4 g | 20% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | — |
| Cholesterol | 65 mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 850 mg | 37% |
| Total carbs | 26 g | 9% |
| Dietary fiber | 1 g | 4% |
| Total sugars | 0 g | — |
| Protein | 23 g | — |
| Calcium | 15 mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1 mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 360 mg | 8% |
Daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Sauce adds calories, sugar and sodium, which are covered further down.
How many calories are in 10 piece McNuggets?
There are 410 calories in a 10 piece Chicken McNuggets. That works out to about 41 calories per nugget.
More than half of those calories come from fat. The breading and frying oil add most of it, since the chicken itself is lean white meat.
How much protein is in 10 piece McNuggets?
The 10 piece has 23 grams of protein. That’s about 2.3 grams per nugget.
For comparison, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese has 30 grams, and a Big Mac has 25 grams. Per calorie, McNuggets land close to both burgers.
How many carbs are in 10 piece McNuggets?
There are 26 grams of total carbs and 1 gram of fiber, so about 25 grams of net carbs. Almost all of it comes from the breading.
McNuggets have 0 grams of sugar on their own. Sweet sauces like Sweet ‘N Sour or Tangy BBQ add sugar quickly.
What are the macros for 10 piece McNuggets?
The macro split is 24 grams of fat, 26 grams of carbs and 23 grams of protein. By calories, that’s roughly 53% fat, 25% carbs and 22% protein.
That makes McNuggets a moderate protein choice, but not a low-carb one. The breading keeps them off most keto plans.
How much sodium is in 10 piece McNuggets?
A 10 piece has 850 mg of sodium, or 37% of the daily value. One sauce packet adds another 125 to 520 mg depending on which one you pick.
Full nutrition for every McNuggets size
| Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Total fat | Sat. fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 piece | 170 | 9 g | 10 g | 10 g | 1.5 g | 340 mg |
| 6 piece | 250 | 14 g | 15 g | 15 g | 2.5 g | 500 mg |
| 10 piece | 410 | 23 g | 26 g | 24 g | 4 g | 850 mg |
| 20 piece | 830 | 46 g | 51 g | 49 g | 8 g | 1,700 mg |
| 40 piece | 1,650 | 92 g | 102 g | 98 g | 16 g | 3,400 mg |
The 40 piece has 148% of a day’s sodium, so it’s meant for sharing. Even the 20 piece has 74% of the daily value.
Dipping sauces and their calories
McNuggets come with dipping sauce, and you pick the flavor when you order. The number of free sauces can vary by restaurant, and extra packets may cost a little more. Our McDonald’s sauces list has every flavor on the menu.
| Sauce | Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spicy Buffalo | 30 | 1 g | 0 g | 520 mg |
| Tangy Barbeque | 45 | 11 g | 9 g | 260 mg |
| Sweet ‘N Sour | 50 | 11 g | 10 g | 160 mg |
| Honey Mustard | 60 | 6 g | 4 g | 125 mg |
| Creamy Ranch | 110 | 1 g | 1 g | 160 mg |
| Creamy Chili | 110 | 3 g | 2 g | 250 mg |
Spicy Buffalo is the lowest-calorie pick, but it has the most sodium. Creamy Ranch and Creamy Chili are the highest in calories, with about 11 to 12 grams of fat each.
With two packets of Tangy Barbeque, a 10 piece goes from 410 to 500 calories. It also picks up 18 grams of sugar.
10 piece McNuggets meal calories
A standard 10 piece McNuggets Meal has about 1,000 calories with medium fries and a regular soft drink. Medium fries alone add 320 calories.
| Order | Calories (approx.) | Protein | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 pc McNuggets + medium fries + water or diet soda | 730 | 28 g | 69 g |
| 10 pc McNuggets + medium fries + medium soda | about 1,000 | 28 g | about 125 g |
| 10 pc McNuggets + large fries (no drink) | 890 | 30 g | 91 g |
Food numbers are McDonald’s own. Soda rows are estimates, since drink calories change with cup size and ice.
How many calories are in 10 piece McNuggets and a large fry?
A 10 piece with large fries has about 890 calories. Large fries add 480 calories, 65 grams of carbs and 400 mg of sodium.
Add a regular large soda and the total can pass 1,100 calories. Swapping the drink for water or diet soda is the easiest cut.
What are Chicken McNuggets made of?
U.S. Chicken McNuggets are made with all white meat chicken. McDonald’s says they have no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
The ingredient list starts with white boneless chicken, water and vegetable oil (canola, corn and soybean oils). The breading uses enriched wheat flour, bleached wheat flour and yellow corn flour.
It also has vegetable starches, salt, leavening, spices, yeast extract, lemon juice solids, dextrose and natural flavors. The nuggets are partly fried before they reach the restaurant, then fried again in the kitchen.
Are McNuggets gluten-free?
No. McNuggets contain wheat, and McDonald’s lists wheat as their only major allergen.
Shared fryers and prep areas also mean cross-contact is possible. People with celiac disease or a wheat allergy should skip them.
How do McNuggets compare to a burger?
If you want the most protein per dollar, McNuggets and burgers come out close. Here’s a side-by-side using McDonald’s nutrition and typical prices.
| Item | Calories | Protein | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 pc Chicken McNuggets | 410 | 23 g | $6.49 |
| Quarter Pounder with Cheese | 520 | 30 g | $7.59 |
| Big Mac | 580 | 25 g | $7.59 |
The McNuggets have the fewest calories of the three. The Quarter Pounder with Cheese has the most protein, and the Big Mac has the most calories.
How to order a lighter or higher-protein 10 piece
Small changes make a big difference with McNuggets, because most of the extra calories come from sides and sauce. Here’s what moves the numbers most:
- Pick Spicy Buffalo (30 calories) or Honey Mustard (60) instead of Creamy Ranch (110).
- Use one sauce packet instead of two to save up to 110 calories.
- Swap the soda for water, diet soda or unsweetened iced tea.
- Skip the medium fries to save 320 calories, or downsize to a small.
For more protein, the 20 piece doubles you to 46 grams. Splitting it with someone gets each person a 10 piece for less money.
Is a 10 piece McNuggets enough for one person?
For most adults, a 10 piece on its own is a light meal at 410 calories. With medium fries, it lands around 730 calories, which fills most people up.
If you’re very hungry, the meal or a 10 piece with large fries is the more filling choice. Kids usually do fine with the 4 or 6 piece.
Are McNuggets the same in Canada?
Not exactly. McDonald’s Canada says its McNuggets are made with 100% seasoned chicken breast and no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Nutrition, sauces and prices also differ between the two countries. The numbers on this page are for the U.S. menu only.
How to get the best price on McNuggets
The cheapest way to get McNuggets depends on how many you want. These tips work at most U.S. restaurants:
- Check the Deals tab in the McDonald’s app before you order. McNuggets deals rotate often.
- Order a 20 piece instead of two 10 pieces when you’re sharing.
- Earn MyMcDonald’s Rewards points on every app order, then redeem them for free food.
- Pick up instead of using delivery, which usually adds markups and fees.
A 4 piece also comes in some value bundles. The $5 McChicken Meal Deal pairs it with a McChicken, small fries and a small drink.
How to reheat McNuggets
An air fryer gives the crispiest result. Heat leftover McNuggets at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the basket once.
An oven works too. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes until hot.
The microwave is fastest, but the breading turns soft. Whatever you use, the USDA advises reheating leftovers to 165°F and eating them within three to four days.
A short history and the four shapes
McDonald’s tested Chicken McNuggets in 1981 and rolled them out across the U.S. by 1983. They’re now one of the chain’s best-known items.
Every McNugget comes in one of four shapes: the ball, the bell, the boot and the bone (sometimes called the bow-tie). McDonald’s uses set shapes so each piece cooks evenly.
Common questions
What number is the 10 piece McNuggets meal at McDonald’s?
It isn’t the same everywhere. Meal numbers change by restaurant and by menu update, so order it by name: “10 piece McNuggets Meal.”
Does McDonald’s still have a 10 piece chicken nugget meal?
Yes. The 10 piece Chicken McNuggets Meal is on the regular U.S. menu, with medium fries and a medium drink.
Can you get McNuggets during breakfast?
At most restaurants, McNuggets are available once breakfast ends, usually at 10:30 a.m. on weekdays. Some 24-hour locations serve them overnight too. See what time McDonald’s lunch starts for details.
Can you choose white or dark meat?
No. U.S. McNuggets are all white meat, and there’s no dark meat option on the menu.
Before you order, check the McDonald’s app for your restaurant’s price and any McNuggets deals running this week.