Potato chips glycemic index
Potato chips has a glycemic index of 56, which is medium. A 50 g serving (1 small bag) has a glycemic load of 14 (medium).
Also known as: crisps, potato crisps
- Serving50 g
- Available carbs25 g
- Fiber1.6 g
- Sugars0.2 g
- Protein3.2 g
- Calories266 kcal
Serving: 1 small bag.
What to know
Potato chips have a lower GI than boiled potatoes because of their fat, but they are salty and calorie-dense. A low GI does not make them a good everyday snack.
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 | 25 g | 14 | Medium |
| 100 g | 51 g | 28 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 56 is the mean calculated by the authors of the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021) across 5 studies. Results are fairly consistent (48 to 60).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 48 · Australia 2012
- 51 · Canada 1981
- 57 · Australia 2012
- 57 · Australia 1984
- 60 · China 2005
Potato chips compared with other snacks & crackers
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Frequently asked questions
Is potato chips low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 56, potato chips is in the medium range (56 to 69). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of potato chips?
A 50 g serving (1 small bag) has a glycemic load of 14, which is medium. 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 potato chips?
With a GI of 56 and a medium glycemic load per serving, potato chips can be part of a diabetes-friendly diet with attention to portion size and pairing it with protein, fat or fiber. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in potato chips?
A 50 g serving has about 27 g of total carbohydrate, including 1.6 g of fiber, leaving 25.4 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 53.8 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (50 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 532 kcal | 266 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g | 27 g |
| Available carbs | 51 g | 25 g |
| Fiber | 3.1 g | 1.6 g |
| Sugars | 0.3 g | 0.2 g |
| Protein | 6.4 g | 3.2 g |
| Fat | 34 g | 17 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Snacks, potato chips, plain, salted (SR Legacy, FDC 169677). 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.