HeyBobo guide · Updated 2 November 2026 · General label-reading information
Start with what the numbers describe.
A label may show nutrition per serving, per 100 g, per 100 ml, or for a whole package. Check the heading before comparing numbers. US Nutrition Facts labels generally use a serving basis, sometimes alongside a package column. A serving size is not a recommendation for how much you should eat. FDA: understanding the Nutrition Facts label.
UK labels provide information per 100 g or 100 ml and sometimes per portion. Comparing the same quantity helps avoid comparing a small serving of one product with a large serving of another. Formats differ by country: use the basis printed on your own pack. NHS: food labels.
Calculate the amount in your portion.
Use this for calories or a nutrient amount such as protein, sugar or fibre. Keep the same units throughout. For drinks, use millilitres for both quantities; do not mix grams and millilitres. Enter a nutrient amount, not a percentage daily value.
The calculation, step by step.
Amount in your portion = label amount × portion quantity ÷ label quantity.
- 240 kcal per 100 g, eating 150 g: 240 × 150 ÷ 100 = 360 kcal.
- 8 g protein per 40 g serving, eating 60 g: 8 × 60 ÷ 40 = 12 g protein.
- 6 g sugar per 100 ml, drinking 250 ml: 6 × 250 ÷ 100 = 15 g sugar.
These are invented arithmetic examples, not product recommendations. Label rounding and differences between products mean calculated results should be treated as estimates.
Common mix-ups to avoid.
- One pack is not always one serving. Check the number of servings or the package quantity before calculating a whole pack.
- Dry and prepared quantities differ. Match the label's preparation instructions and measurement basis.
- A photo cannot establish everything. Check any scanned result against the original label, including units and serving size.
Where Bobo fits.
Explore Bobo's ingredient and label tools, or learn what a meal-photo scan can tell you. Use AI output as a starting point and verify important details. This calculator does not determine allergen safety or provide medical advice.
