Lychees are a sweet tropical fruit with a modest protein content — fresh lychee provides about 0.83 grams of protein per 100 grams. That may seem small, but lychees still contribute to your daily protein when eaten in normal portions, and the amount varies noticeably by form: canned lychee in syrup is lower, while dried lychee is much more concentrated.
This calculator converts any amount of lychees — grams, ounces, cups, or 100-gram servings — into an accurate protein estimate. It also shows calories and the percentage of the Daily Value for protein (based on a 50-gram reference), making it useful for macro tracking, diet planning, and comparing nutrition labels.
Whether you are logging a snack, planning a recipe, or just curious about this fruit, the quick preset buttons and step-by-step breakdown give you clear, practical numbers in seconds.
🧮 Protein in Your Lychees
How to Use This Calculator
Start by selecting the lychee form: fresh raw, canned in syrup, or dried. Then enter the amount in grams, ounces, cups, or 100-gram servings. Prefer not to weigh anything? Use the shortcut buttons for 100 g, 1 oz, 1 cup, or ½ cup. Click “Calculate Protein” to see the result.
The main number is the total protein in your portion. Below it, the calculator also shows protein per 100 g, calories, and the percentage of the Daily Value based on a 50-gram protein reference. Uncheck the “Include calories and % Daily Value” box if you only want the protein figure. A step-by-step breakdown shows exactly how the result was calculated.
Protein Content by Lychee Form
Protein values are not identical across all lychee products. The table below lists the values used by this calculator, based on USDA food composition data.
| Lychee form | Protein per 100 g | Calories per 100 g | Approx. weight per cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh raw lychee | 0.83 g | 66 kcal | 190 g |
| Canned lychee in syrup | 0.45 g | 76 kcal | 196 g |
| Dried lychee | 3.80 g | 277 kcal | 150 g |
Canned lychee is diluted by syrup, which lowers its protein concentration. Dried lychee is dehydrated, so nutrients become more concentrated per gram. Actual values can vary slightly by brand and preparation method.
How the Calculation Works
The formula is simple:
Fresh lychee has about 0.83 g of protein per 100 g. If you eat 150 g of fresh lychee, the protein is (150 ÷ 100) × 0.83 = 1.25 g. The same logic applies to calories: multiply weight in grams by the calorie value per 100 g, then divide by 100.
To handle other units, the calculator first converts your input to grams. One ounce equals 28.3495 g, and the cup weights come from the reference table above. A “serving” is defined here as exactly 100 g, which makes mental math easy.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Fresh lychee, 200 g. Protein = (200 ÷ 100) × 0.83 = 1.66 g. Calories = (200 ÷ 100) × 66 = 132 kcal. That is about 3.3% of a 50 g daily protein target.
Example 2: Canned lychee, 1 cup. One cup of canned lychee weighs about 196 g. Protein = (196 ÷ 100) × 0.45 = 0.88 g. The syrup adds calories but very little protein.
Example 3: Dried lychee, 2 oz. Two ounces equals 56.7 g. Protein = (56.7 ÷ 100) × 3.80 = 2.15 g. The same weight of fresh lychee would give only about 0.47 g, showing how drying concentrates protein.
Factors Affecting Accuracy
No single protein value can capture every lychee on the market. The calculator uses standard reference data, but the actual content of your fruit may differ for several reasons:
- Cultivar and ripeness: Different lychee varieties have slightly different sugar, water, and protein profiles.
- Moisture content: Freshly harvested lychees contain more water, which lowers protein per 100 g.
- Brand and syrup: Canned lychee varies by syrup concentration and drained versus undrained weight.
- Drying method: Some dried lychee retains more moisture than others. If your package has a nutrition label, use that number for the most accurate result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lychee a good source of protein? Not especially. Fresh lychee is about 0.8% protein by weight, so it is much lower than beans, tofu, or meat. It can still contribute a small amount to your daily intake, especially in a large portion. For another fruit with a different protein profile, see the apricot protein calculator.
Why does dried lychee have more protein per 100 g? Drying removes water, concentrating all nutrients — protein, carbs, and calories — into a smaller weight. A 100 g portion of dried lychee is also much more energy-dense, so portion control matters.
What Daily Value is used here? The calculator uses 50 g per day as a general reference, consistent with the FDA’s Daily Value for protein. Your personal needs may be higher or lower depending on age, weight, activity level, and goals.
Can I use this for lychee juice or lychee-flavored products? No. Lychee juice and flavored products have very different nutrient profiles. This calculator is intended for whole fruit, canned fruit, and dried fruit only.