Nutrient
Calcium: the Daily Value and where it comes from
The FDA Daily Value for calcium is 1,300 mg for adults and children 4 and over (21 CFR 101.9(c)). Of 4,454 USDA reference foods with a typical portion, 485 give at least 10% of it (130 mg) in one portion and 212 give 20% (260 mg).
Updated · By GetFoodFacts · data: USDA FoodData Central, April 30, 2026 release · how the figures are checked
- Daily Value
- 1,300mg
- the reference on every Nutrition Facts label
- Good source
- 130mg
- per serving, 10% DV (21 CFR 101.54(c))
- High in calcium
- 260mg
- per serving, 20% DV (21 CFR 101.54(b))
Portions that give the most calcium
Tofu, raw, firm, prepared with calcium sulfate (861 mg in 0.5 cup, 66% DV), Fish, sardine, Atlantic, canned in oil, drained solids with bone (569 mg in 1 cup, drained, 44% DV) and Milk, fluid, nonfat, calcium fortified (fat free or skim) (504 mg in 1 cup, 39% DV) give the most per typical portion. The full ranking lists every food that supplies 10% of the Daily Value or more.
Source: USDA FoodData Central, April 30, 2026 release; FDA Daily Values (21 CFR 101.9).
Packaged foods: where "good source" is common
| Category | Products | Good source | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza | 3,416 | 2,937 | 86% |
| Yogurt | 6,425 | 5,052 | 79% |
| Savoury Bakery Products | 667 | 468 | 70% |
| Lunch Snacks and Combinations | 846 | 564 | 67% |
| Cheese | 15,853 | 10,262 | 65% |
| Prepared Subs and Sandwiches | 1,032 | 632 | 61% |
| Energy, Protein and Muscle Recovery Drinks | 1,646 | 974 | 59% |
| Milk | 5,133 | 3,020 | 59% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central branded foods, April 30, 2026 release; "good source": 10% or more of the Daily Value per serving (21 CFR 101.54(c)).
How much calcium a day, by age and sex
The label's Daily Value is one figure for everyone; the Dietary Guidelines set the goal by age and sex (RDA): 1,000 mg for women and 1,000 mg for men aged 19 to 30. Men 71 and older: 1,200 mg.
| Age | Women and girls | Men and boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 | 700 mg | 700 mg |
| 4-8 | 1,000 mg | 1,000 mg |
| 9-13 | 1,300 mg | 1,300 mg |
| 14-18 | 1,300 mg | 1,300 mg |
| 19-30 | 1,000 mg | 1,000 mg |
| 31-50 | 1,000 mg | 1,000 mg |
| 51 and older | 1,200 mg | 1,000 mg |
Source: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, Appendix 1, Table A1-2, pages 132-133 (dietaryguidelines.gov), from the National Academies' Dietary Reference Intakes. Ages 2-3: one figure for both sexes.
See every food ranked by calcium
Sources for this page
- USDA FoodData Central
- the food and product records, April 30, 2026 release. fdc.nal.usda.gov
- USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies
- the survey foods and their portions. ars.usda.gov
- 21 CFR 101.9, Nutrition labeling of food
- the label format, rounding and Daily Values. ecfr.gov
- 21 CFR 101.12, Reference amounts customarily consumed
- the serving each kind of food is labeled by. ecfr.gov
- FDA, Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels
- the Daily Values in a table. fda.gov