Mandarin glycemic index
Mandarin has a glycemic index of 50, which is low. A 120 g serving (1–2 mandarins) has a glycemic load of 7 (low).
Also known as: tangerine, clementine, mandarin orange
- Serving120 g
- Available carbs14 g
- Fiber2.2 g
- Sugars13 g
- Protein1 g
- Calories64 kcal
Serving: 1–2 mandarins.
What to know
Mandarins are low GI and come in naturally small portions, which keeps the glycemic load per fruit low. Canned mandarin segments in syrup are sweeter.
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 | 5.8 g | 3 | Low |
| 100 g | 12 g | 6 | Low |
| 120 g · 1–2 mandarins | 14 g | 7 | Low |
| 240 g · double serving | 28 g | 14 | Medium |
What the studies found
The value of 50 is the median of 2 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (47 to 52).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 47 · Australia 2008
- 52 · Italy 2004
Mandarin compared with other fruits
Similar low-GI foods
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Frequently asked questions
Is mandarin low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 50, mandarin is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of mandarin?
A 120 g serving (1–2 mandarins) has a glycemic load of 7, 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 mandarin?
With a GI of 50 and a low glycemic load per serving, mandarin 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 mandarin?
A 120 g serving has about 16 g of total carbohydrate, including 2.2 g of fiber, leaving 13.8 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 13.3 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (120 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 53 kcal | 64 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g | 16 g |
| Available carbs | 12 g | 14 g |
| Fiber | 1.8 g | 2.2 g |
| Sugars | 11 g | 13 g |
| Protein | 0.8 g | 1 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g | 0.4 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw (SR Legacy, FDC 169105). 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.