How many carbs are in spaghetti?
One cup of cooked spaghetti has about 43g of carbohydrate and 40g of net carbs. Sauce and meatballs add more. Most restaurant spaghetti dishes contain two to three cups of pasta.
Carbs by portion
| Portion | Total carbs | Fiber | Net carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup cooked (140g) | 43.2g | 2.8g | 40.4g |
| 100 grams | 30.9g | 2.0g | 28.9g |
Net carbs
One cup of cooked spaghetti has about 40g of net carbs, which is total carbs (43g) minus fiber (3g). Whole wheat spaghetti has about twice the fiber. See the net carbs guide.
Glycemic index of spaghetti
The glycemic index of spaghetti is about 46. Spaghetti, like other pasta, has a lower glycemic index than most starchy foods because the gluten network in the dough slows starch digestion. Thinner noodles cooked al dente sit toward the lower end; thick, soft-cooked noodles run higher.
For diabetes
A single cup of spaghetti is 43g of carbs, and a standard restaurant portion is two to three cups, which pushes carbs to 85 to 130g before sauce. Marinara adds roughly 15g per cup; meat sauce adds a similar amount. Pre-bolusing for pasta is tricky because the GI is low and carbs hit in waves. Many people with type 1 find a square wave or extended bolus works better for a spaghetti meal than a single upfront dose. See the diabetes carb-counting guide.
Keto and low carb
One cup of cooked spaghetti has about 40g of net carbs, which is double a full day's strict keto budget. Spaghetti does not fit keto. Spaghetti squash (about 7g of net carbs per cup) and shirataki noodles (near zero carbs) are the two main low-carb substitutes.
Good to know
Spaghetti absorbs more water per gram than many pasta shapes because its surface area to volume ratio is high. This is why a cup of cooked spaghetti weighs slightly more than a cup of rotini or penne for a similar carb count. Two ounces of dry spaghetti (about 56g) yields roughly 1 cup cooked. Many spaghetti labels show nutrition for 2 oz dry, which is the cooked portion, not a side dish.
Full nutrition (per 100g)
- Calories: 164.0 kcal
- Carbohydrate: 30.88g
- Fiber: 2.0g
- Sugars: n/ag
- Protein: 8.86g
- Fat: 0.21g
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Get the appFrequently asked questions
How many carbs are in spaghetti?
One cup of cooked spaghetti (140g) has about 43g of carbohydrate. A typical restaurant plate is 2 to 3 cups, which is 85 to 130g of carbs before sauce.
How many net carbs are in spaghetti?
One cup of cooked spaghetti has about 40g of net carbs, which is total carbs (43g) minus about 3g of fiber.
Is spaghetti lower GI than rice?
Yes. Spaghetti has a GI of about 46 compared to about 73 for white rice, which means it raises blood sugar more slowly for the same carb amount.
Is spaghetti keto?
No. One cup has about 40g of net carbs, double a full keto day's budget. Spaghetti squash and shirataki noodles are common substitutes.
How many carbs are in spaghetti with tomato sauce?
One cup of spaghetti (43g carbs) plus half a cup of plain marinara sauce (about 10g of carbs) is roughly 53g total. A typical restaurant plate can easily reach 100g of carbs.