Daily Added Sugar Limit Calculator
American Heart Association recommended daily limit for added sugar, by sex.
A general population guideline from the American Heart Association, not medical advice — this covers added sugar only, not the natural sugars in fruit, vegetables, or plain dairy.
Recommended daily limit
36 g
≈ 9 teaspoons of added sugar
For informational and educational purposes only — not medical advice, and not a substitute for consulting a qualified professional about your specific situation. TrueMeasureKit is not liable for decisions made based on these results. See our Terms of Service.
"Added" sugar vs. natural sugar
This limit applies specifically to added sugar — sugar and syrups mixed into food during processing or preparation, not the fructose in a whole apple or the lactose in plain milk. Nutrition labels in the US break this out as a separate "Added Sugars" line specifically so this guideline is easy to check against. A single can of regular soda (about 39g) already exceeds both daily limits on its own, which is a big part of why sugar-sweetened beverages get singled out in most dietary guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What's the AHA daily added sugar limit?
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 9 teaspoons (36g) of added sugar per day for men, and 6 teaspoons (25g) for women — notably lower than what a typical Western diet contains.
Does 'added sugar' include fruit and dairy sugars?
No — added sugar refers specifically to sugars added during processing or preparation, not the naturally occurring sugars in whole fruit, vegetables, or plain dairy. Check nutrition labels, which now list added sugars separately in the US.