Corn tortilla glycemic index
Corn tortilla has a glycemic index of 52, which is low. A 50 g serving (2 small tortillas) has a glycemic load of 10 (low).
Also known as: maize tortilla
- Serving50 g
- Available carbs19 g
- Fiber3.2 g
- Sugars0.4 g
- Protein2.9 g
- Calories109 kcal
Serving: 2 small tortillas.
What to know
Nixtamalized corn tortillas have a low GI, around 52. Two tortillas with beans and vegetables make a balanced meal; frying them into tostadas or chips raises the load.
Glycemic load by portion size
GI stays the same whatever you eat, but glycemic load scales with the amount: eating twice as much doubles the effect on blood sugar.
| Amount | Available carbs | Glycemic load | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 g | 19 g | 10 | Low |
| 100 g | 38 g | 20 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 52 is the median of 4 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (49 to 60).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 49 · Australia 2007
- 52 · Australia 2010
- 52 · Mexico 1999
- 60 · Mexico 2000
Corn tortilla compared with other bread & bakery
Similar low-GI foods
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Frequently asked questions
Is corn tortilla low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 52, corn tortilla is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of corn tortilla?
A 50 g serving (2 small tortillas) has a glycemic load of 10, which is low. Glycemic load combines GI with the amount of carbohydrate in the portion: 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 medium and 20 or more high.
Can people with diabetes eat corn tortilla?
With a GI of 52 and a low glycemic load per serving, corn tortilla usually fits a diabetes-friendly diet in normal portions. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in corn tortilla?
A 50 g serving has about 22 g of total carbohydrate, including 3.2 g of fiber, leaving 19.2 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 44.6 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (50 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 218 kcal | 109 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g | 22 g |
| Available carbs | 38 g | 19 g |
| Fiber | 6.3 g | 3.2 g |
| Sugars | 0.9 g | 0.4 g |
| Protein | 5.7 g | 2.9 g |
| Fat | 2.9 g | 1.4 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Tortillas, ready-to-bake or -fry, corn (SR Legacy, FDC 175036). Available carbohydrate = total carbohydrate minus fiber.
Sources: Atkinson FS, Brand-Miller JC, Foster-Powell K, Buyken AE, Goletzke J. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(5):1625–1632. USDA FoodData Central. How we calculate each value: Methodology & sources.
Data last reviewed 2026-09-29.