How many carbs are in a carrot?
One medium raw carrot (61g) has about 6g of carbohydrate and 4g of net carbs. They are lower in carbs than most people expect, and a single carrot is a small carb load.
Carbs by portion
| Portion | Total carbs | Fiber | Net carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 medium carrot (61g) | 5.8g | 1.7g | 4.1g |
| 1 small (50g) | 4.8g | 1.4g | 3.4g |
| 1 strip large (7g) | 0.7g | 0.2g | 0.5g |
| 1 cup grated (110g) | 10.5g | 3.1g | 7.5g |
| 100 grams | 9.6g | 2.8g | 6.8g |
Net carbs
One medium carrot has about 4g of net carbs, which is total carbs (6g) minus fiber (2g). The fiber content is modest but meaningful for such a small vegetable. See the net carbs guide for when net carbs matter in your tracking.
Glycemic index of a carrot
The glycemic index of a carrot is about 39. Raw carrots have a low glycemic index because the cell walls are still intact, slowing the release of the natural sugars. Cooked carrots have a higher GI, roughly in the 40s to low 50s, because cooking softens cell walls and makes the sugars more accessible.
For diabetes
A single medium carrot is about 6g of total carbs, which is a very small carb load for a snack. The raw GI of 39 means a slow, flat blood sugar curve from a single carrot. A cup of chopped raw carrots is about 12g of total carbs, which still fits most meal plans easily. Cooked carrots digest a bit faster, but the overall carb count barely changes. See the diabetes carb-counting guide.
Keto and low carb
One medium carrot has about 4g of net carbs, which is quite low. Even a cup of chopped carrots (about 9g of net carbs) fits within most keto budgets. Carrots are not a free food on keto, but a small amount works in most plans.
Good to know
Carrots are higher in natural sugar than many vegetables, at about 4.7g per 100g, but the dense cell structure keeps that sugar from hitting the bloodstream quickly when eaten raw. Baby carrots are just small peeled mature carrots, not a different variety, and their carb count per gram is the same. Juicing carrots removes the fiber and concentrates the sugar into a much faster-acting drink.
Full nutrition (per 100g)
- Calories: 41.0 kcal
- Carbohydrate: 9.58g
- Fiber: 2.8g
- Sugars: 4.74g
- Protein: 0.93g
- Fat: 0.24g
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Get the appFrequently asked questions
How many carbs are in a carrot?
One medium raw carrot (61g) has about 6g of total carbs and 4g of net carbs. A large carrot (72g) has about 7g of total carbs.
How many carbs are in baby carrots?
Baby carrots are the same per gram as regular carrots. About 8 baby carrots (50g) has roughly 5g of total carbs and 3g of net carbs.
Are carrots keto?
In small amounts, yes. One medium carrot has about 4g of net carbs. A cup of chopped carrots is about 9g of net carbs, which fits a moderate keto budget.
Are carrots good for diabetics?
Yes. Raw carrots have a low glycemic index of 39. A single medium carrot is only 6g of total carbs and raises blood sugar gradually.
Do cooked carrots have more carbs than raw?
The total carb count per gram is similar, but cooked carrots have a higher glycemic index than raw because cooking breaks down the cell walls. The blood sugar rise comes a bit faster from cooked carrots.