Calculate cost per gram of protein from total price and protein grams, or find total cost or protein amount when any two values are known.
Customize This Calculator
Build your own version. Describe what you want changed, added, or compared.
Related Calculators
- Calories Per Dollar Calculator
- Price Per Cup Calculator
- Raw to Cooked Weight Conversion Calculator
- Amount Per Serving Calculator
- All Food and Cooking Calculators
Cost Per Gram Of Protein Formula
The main formula is:
- CPG = cost per gram of protein
- TC = total cost of the food or product
- P = total grams of protein in the food or product
If you know the cost per gram and total protein, you can calculate total cost:
If you know the total cost and cost per gram, you can calculate total grams of protein:
The calculator uses these formulas depending on which field you leave blank. Enter any two values, and it solves for the missing one. Total protein should be entered as grams of protein from the nutrition label, not the total weight of the food.
Common Cost Per Gram Of Protein Ranges
| Cost per gram of protein | General interpretation | Example foods or products |
|---|---|---|
| Under $0.03/g | Very low cost | Dry beans, lentils, bulk eggs, some sale-priced dairy |
| $0.03 to $0.07/g | Good everyday value | Greek yogurt, chicken, tofu, canned tuna, whey protein |
| $0.07 to $0.12/g | Moderate cost | Lean meats, protein bars, specialty plant-based products |
| Over $0.12/g | High cost | Single-serve snacks, ready-to-drink shakes, premium packaged foods |
How To Find Total Protein From A Label
| Label value | What to do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving | Multiply by the number of servings in the package | 20 g per serving × 10 servings = 200 g protein |
| Protein per container | Use that number directly | A container with 75 g protein total uses P = 75 |
| Serving weight | Do not use this as protein grams | A 170 g yogurt may contain only 17 g protein |
Example
Example 1: A tub of protein powder costs $32 and contains 640 grams of protein.
The cost per gram of protein is $0.05/g.
Example 2: A food costs $4.50 and has 90 grams of protein total.
The cost per gram of protein is $0.05/g.
FAQ
Should I use the food weight or the protein grams?
Use the grams of protein, not the total food weight. For example, a 200 gram serving of yogurt might have 20 grams of protein. In that case, you enter 20 grams of protein, not 200 grams.
How do I calculate total protein for a whole package?
Multiply protein per serving by the number of servings. If a package has 12 servings and each serving has 15 grams of protein, the package contains 180 grams of protein total.
Is a lower cost per gram of protein always better?
Not always. Cost per gram is useful for comparing value, but you may also care about calories, taste, ingredients, convenience, dietary restrictions, and overall nutrition. A low number means the protein is cheaper, not necessarily better for every situation.
