Pizza glycemic index
Pizza has a glycemic index of 54, which is low. A 150 g serving (1–2 slices) has a glycemic load of 22 (high).
Also known as: cheese pizza
- Serving150 g
- Available carbs40 g
- Fiber3.3 g
- Sugars5.4 g
- Protein16 g
- Calories402 kcal
Serving: 1–2 slices.
What to know
Pizza tested low-to-medium GI because the cheese and oil slow digestion, but two or three slices add up to a high glycemic load. Thin crust with vegetable toppings and a side salad helps.
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 | 13 g | 7 | Low |
| 100 g | 27 g | 14 | Medium |
| 150 g · 1–2 slices | 40 g | 22 | High |
| 300 g · double serving | 80 g | 43 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 54 is the median of 2 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (52 to 56).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 52 · USA 2015
- 56 · Lebanon 2009
Pizza compared with other dishes
Similar low-GI foods
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Frequently asked questions
Is pizza low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 54, pizza is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of pizza?
A 150 g serving (1–2 slices) has a glycemic load of 22, which is high. 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 pizza?
With a GI of 54 and a high glycemic load per serving, pizza is best eaten in smaller portions alongside protein, fat or vegetables, or swapped for a lower-GI option. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in pizza?
A 150 g serving has about 44 g of total carbohydrate, including 3.3 g of fiber, leaving 40.2 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 29 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (150 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 268 kcal | 402 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g | 44 g |
| Available carbs | 27 g | 40 g |
| Fiber | 2.2 g | 3.3 g |
| Sugars | 3.6 g | 5.4 g |
| Protein | 10 g | 16 g |
| Fat | 12 g | 18 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Pizza, cheese topping, regular crust, frozen, cooked (SR Legacy, FDC 170317). 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.