Cucumber rarely headlines a protein-counting conversation, but it still deserves a place in your macro log. A 100 g serving of raw cucumber with peel delivers about 0.65 g of protein — modest, yet real — while peeled cucumber comes in at roughly 0.59 g. For anyone tracking intake closely, those grams matter, especially because cucumbers show up so often in salads, wraps, and snack plates.
This calculator converts any cucumber serving into its exact protein content. Enter your amount in grams, ounces, cups, or slices, choose whether the peel is on or off, and hit Calculate. Preset buttons for half a cup, a full cup, one medium cucumber, and single slices make common portions instant.
Your results show total protein, the per-100 g reference value, and the share of a 50 g daily protein target covered by your serving — everything you need for precise, confident nutrition tracking.
🥒 Serving Amount
How much cucumber are you eating?
Cucumber Type
Step-by-Step Guide
This calculator takes less than a minute to use. Start by choosing the unit that matches how you are measuring: grams if you are using a kitchen scale, ounces for a US recipe, cups for a measuring cup, or slices for a quick eyeball estimate. Type in the amount, or tap one of the preset buttons for common portions such as half a cup, a full cup, a medium cucumber, or a single round slice.
Next, tell the calculator whether your cucumber is raw with the peel or peeled. The peel carries a small share of the protein and micronutrients, so the per-100 g value shifts slightly between the two options. Hit Calculate Protein and you will get three numbers: the total protein in your serving, the per-100 g reference, and the percentage of a 50 g daily protein target that the serving covers. Use Reset to clear the form and run another portion in seconds.
The Math Behind This Calculator
The protein values used here come from the USDA FoodData Central reference database. Raw cucumber with peel contains about 0.65 g of protein per 100 g, while peeled cucumber is slightly lower at roughly 0.59 g per 100 g, because the dark green skin is one of the more nutrient-dense parts of the vegetable.
Cucumber Nutrition at a Glance
The table below summarizes the USDA composition of 100 g (about two-thirds of a cup) of raw cucumber with peel. Protein is modest, but the water, potassium, and vitamin K make cucumber a valuable high-volume food for people watching their calorie intake.
| Nutrient | Amount per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0.65 g |
| Calories | 15 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 3.63 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugars | 1.67 g |
| Potassium | 147 mg |
| Vitamin K | 16.4 µg |
| Vitamin C | 2.8 mg |
| Water content | about 95% |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Logging cucumber as zero protein. Many apps skip vegetables under 1 g, but if you eat several servings of vegetables a day the protein really does add up. A 300 g cucumber contributes close to 2 g, which matters on a tightly planned intake.
- Trusting volume estimates when precision matters. A "cup" of sliced cucumber can range from about 90 g to 120 g depending on slice thickness and how tightly it is packed. Weigh in grams whenever accuracy is the goal.
- Confusing peeled and unpeeled entries. The difference is small in absolute terms (0.65 vs 0.59 g per 100 g), but picking the wrong database entry shifts every calculation you run.
- Counting pickles as fresh cucumber. Pickled cucumbers in vinegar brine have much higher sodium and a different water balance — log them separately.
- Weighing after adding dressing. Measure the cucumber portion before oil, dressing, or dip goes in, or you will accidentally log dressing weight as cucumber weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cucumber a good source of protein? Not on its own — a 100 g serving supplies less than 1 g. Its real value is the combination of water, fiber, and volume that helps you feel full for very few calories, which is why it pairs so well with protein-dense foods like Greek yogurt dip. You can see how much protein such pairings add with our Greek yogurt protein calculator.
Does peeling really change the protein content? Yes, slightly. The peel contributes a small amount of protein and other nutrients, so peeled cucumber is about 0.59 g per 100 g versus 0.65 g with the peel. For a typical serving the difference is under 0.1 g, so it matters most for very precise macro tracking.
Should I bother counting cucumber protein at all? For most people it is optional, but if you are building a salad-based meal plan and logging everything anyway, including cucumber keeps your totals honest. It is especially worth doing if you are on a high-protein diet and want an accurate picture of where the remaining carbs and protein come from — a salad calorie calculator can help with the broader picture.
Why does the calculator use a 50 g daily target? The FDA uses 50 g per day as the reference value for protein on Nutrition Facts labels. Your personal target may be higher or lower depending on body weight, activity level, and goals, so treat the percentage as a reference point rather than a personal recommendation.
Additional Resources
- USDA FoodData Central: cucumber, with peel, raw — the authoritative nutrient profile used for the values in this calculator.
- Wikipedia: Cucumber — background on varieties, cultivation, and culinary use.
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans — official guidance on protein needs and healthy eating patterns.