Masala Chai (with milk and sugar) Calories and Nutrition
Also known as: Indian tea, Chai, Spiced milk tea
1 standard cup (~150 ml / 160 g) of Masala Chai (with milk and sugar) contains 82 calories, 2.5g protein, 14.3g carbs and 1.7g fat — a vegetarian dish in the beverages category.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per 1 standard cup (~150 ml / 160 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 51 kcal | 81.6 kcal |
| Protein | 1.58 g | 2.5 g |
| Carbs | 8.95 g | 14.3 g |
| Fat | 1.05 g | 1.7 g |
| Fiber | 0.1 g | 0.2 g |
| Sugar | 8.72 g | 14 g |
| Sodium | 20 mg | 32 mg |
| Saturated fat | 0.6 g | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 4 mg | 6.4 mg |
Calorie calculator
Enter how much you ate and we'll calculate the nutrition.
- Calories
- — kcal
- Protein
- — g
- Carbs
- — g
- Fat
- — g
How Masala Chai (with milk and sugar) fits in your diet
A 1 standard cup (~150 ml / 160 g) of masala chai (with milk and sugar) contributes about 4% of a 2,000-kcal daily target and roughly 5% of an average adult's 50 g daily protein floor. Typically made with black tea leaves, milk, water, sugar, cardamom, ginger.
Black tea simmered with whole milk, sugar and spices (cardamom, ginger, cloves). Macros below are for the typical 1 tsp sugar + full-fat milk version. For a balanced Indian plate, pair it with a protein source (dal, paneer, eggs or chicken), a sabzi and a small portion of curd or salad. Restaurant or street-style versions can run 20–40% higher in calories because of extra oil, ghee or cream — adjust portion size accordingly.
Cuisine region: pan indian.
Related foods
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in one cup of masala chai?
A standard 150 ml cup of masala chai with milk and 1 tsp sugar has roughly 78 kcal. Without sugar it drops to about 50 kcal.
Is chai good for weight loss?
Chai itself is low-calorie. Problem: most people drink 3–5 cups a day with sugar. Cut sugar or use a substitute, and use toned milk — chai then fits any weight-loss plan.
How much sugar is in masala chai?
With 1 tsp sugar, a standard cup has about 10 g of sugar (including milk lactose). Drinking 4 cups a day adds up to 40 g — already at the WHO daily added-sugar limit.
Is masala chai good for digestion?
Yes — ginger, cardamom and cloves are mild digestives and can ease bloating. The caffeine also stimulates gut motility. For best results, drink after meals, not on an empty stomach.
Black tea vs masala chai — calorie difference?
Plain black tea has about 2 kcal per cup. Adding milk and 1 tsp sugar pushes it to 78 kcal — that's a 40× increase. For fat loss, drink chai without sugar or switch to plain green or black tea.
Sources
Nutrition values for masala chai (with milk and sugar) are sourced from USDA FoodData Central (FDC 2710506). Per-100 g figures scaled to the selected serving above.
Primary reference: View on USDA FoodData Central
Updated: 17/5/2026