Big Mac vs. Quarter Pounder — Nutrition Facts, Calories, Carbs & More

Macronutrients

Both of these fast foods contain 50% of water.  

However, Big Mac provides 20% of carbs, 15% of fats, and 12% of proteins, while Quarter Pounder contains 22% of carbs, 12% of fats, and 14% of proteins. You can see the distribution of the other nutrients in the infographic below. 

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

McDonald's Big Mac

3

Protein: 11.82 g

Fats: 14.96 g

Carbs: 20.08 g

Water: 51.3 g

Other: 1.84 g

McDonald's Quarter Pounder

2

Protein: 14.1 g

Fats: 11.55 g

Carbs: 22.17 g

Water: 50.37 g

Other: 1.81 g

Contains more FatsFats

+29.5%

Contains more ProteinProtein	+19.3%
Contains more CarbsCarbs	+10.4%

~equal in Water ~50.37g

~equal in Other ~1.81g

Calories

Big Mac and Quarter Pounder are highly processed fast foods; thus, they are high in calories.

Big Mac is higher in calories, containing 13 more calories per every 100g. In each 100g, Quarter Pounder contains 244 calories /417 calories per item/, while Big Mac provides 257 calories /563 calories per item/. 

Carbohydrates

Quarter Pounder is 2.1g higher in net carbs than Big Mac in every 100g serving. 100g serving size of Big Mac contains 20.1g of total carbs, 92% of which are net carbs and 8% - dietary fiber, while the same serving of Quarter Pounder provides 22.2g of total carbs, 93% of which are net carbs and 7% - dietary fiber. 

Quarter Pounder is richer in sugars, particularly in glucose and fructose. Thus, it may taste slightly sweeter than Big Mac. 

Big Macs and Quarter Pounders contain 1.6g of dietary fiber. 

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison

McDonald's Big Mac

2

Starch: 0 g

Sucrose: 0.46 g

Glucose: 1.04 g

Fructose: 1.69 g

Lactose: 0.32 g

Maltose: 0.49 g

Galactose: 0 g

McDonald's Quarter Pounder

3

Starch: 0 g

Sucrose: 0.22 g

Glucose: 1.91 g

Fructose: 2.2 g

Lactose: 0.07 g

Maltose: 0.73 g

Galactose: 0 g

Contains more SucroseSucrose	+109.1%
Contains more LactoseLactose	+357.1%

Contains more GlucoseGlucose	+83.7%
Contains more FructoseFructose	+30.2%
Contains more MaltoseMaltose	+49%

~equal in Starch ~0g

~equal in Galactose ~0g

Protein

Quarter Pounder is higher in protein, containing 14.1g per 100g, while Big Mac has 11.9g. 

Fats

Being well-known fast food products, Big Mac and Quarter Pounder are both high in fats. However, Big Mac contains 3.4g more fats compared to the Quarter Pounder. 

Quarter Pounder is higher in monounsaturated, saturated, and trans fats. Big Mac is relatively lower in cholesterol than Quarter Pounder. 

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

McDonald's Big Mac

2

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 3.803 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 3.474 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.306 g

McDonald's Quarter Pounder

1

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 4.008 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 4.202 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.283 g

Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat

+21%

~equal in Saturated Fat ~4.008g

~equal in Polyunsaturated fat ~0.283g

Vitamins

Quarter Pounder is higher in most vitamins, containing 1.5 times more vitamin B2 and vitamin B12 and overall more vitamins B1, B3, and B9 (folate).

Big Mac has over 3 times more vitamin A than Quarter Pounder.

One Quarter Pounder covers the recommended daily value (RDV) of vitamin B12 by 91%, while Bic Mac covers the RDV of vitamin B12 by 80%.

They are absent in vitamins D, E, K, B5, and B6 and contain insignificant amounts of vitamin C.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

McDonald's Big Mac

1

McDonald's Quarter Pounder

5

Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A

+235.7%

Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C	+125%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+64.6%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+31.6%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12	+45.5%
Contains more FolateFolate	+21.7%

~equal in Vitamin E ~mg

~equal in Vitamin D ~µg

~equal in Vitamin B1 ~0.183mg

~equal in Vitamin B5 ~mg

~equal in Vitamin B6 ~mg

~equal in Vitamin K ~µg

~equal in Choline ~mg

Minerals

Quarter Pounder is the winner in this section as well. Quarter Pounder is higher in iron, potassium, and zinc, whereas Big Mac contains more calcium.

One Big Mac and Quarter Pounder cover the RDV or recommended daily value of calcium by 25.4% and 11.4%, respectively. 

One Big Mac covers the RDV of iron by 54% for men and 24% for women, whereas Quarter Pounder covers the RDV of iron by 51% for men and 23% for women.

A 100g Quarter Pounder and Big Mac have similar amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese.

Both Quarter Pounder and Big Mac are very high in sodium. 

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

McDonald's Big Mac

1

McDonald's Quarter Pounder

3

Contains more CalciumCalcium

+38.1%

Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+25.4%
Contains more IronIron	+20.5%
Contains more ZincZinc	+40.8%

~equal in Magnesium ~22mg

~equal in Copper ~0.107mg

~equal in Phosphorus ~124mg

~equal in Sodium ~427mg

~equal in Manganese ~0.199mg

~equal in Selenium ~µg

Glycemic Index 

Big Mac has an average GI of 66, belonging to the group of medium-glycemic index foods. Quarter Pounder’s average glycemic index is not calculated yet. 

You can also check our glycemic index chart page for more information about other foods' glycemic indexes.