McDonald’s Cheeseburger, Hamburger & Double Cheeseburger Prices (2026)
McDonald’s three classic burgers share the same bun, 100% beef patty, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard. The Hamburger has no cheese, the Cheeseburger adds one slice of American cheese, and the Double Cheeseburger doubles both the patty and the cheese. Here is what each costs, how their nutrition compares and which one gives you the most for your money.
McDonald’s Cheeseburger Price, Plus Hamburger and Double Cheeseburger
The McDonald’s cheeseburger price is typically $3.89, a Hamburger $3.99 and a Double Cheeseburger $6.19. The Cheeseburger Meal, with two cheeseburgers, medium fries and a medium drink, runs about $11.99.
*Prices are set by each restaurant. Prices shown are typical US prices reported online in October 2026, not prices from your restaurant; your local price can be higher or lower. “—” means we don’t have a reliable price yet. Nutrition: McDonald’s USA official data.
Prices vary more between restaurants than most people expect. Some franchisees price the Hamburger at or above the Cheeseburger, so check the app: if they cost the same, the Cheeseburger is the better buy.
Hamburger vs Cheeseburger vs Double Cheeseburger
The only differences are cheese and patties. One slice of American cheese adds 50 calories and 3 g of protein to a Hamburger; a second patty and slice add another 140 calories and 10 g of protein to a Cheeseburger.
| Burger | Patties | Cheese slices | Calories | Protein | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburger | 1 | 0 | 250 | 12 g | $3.99 |
| Cheeseburger | 1 | 1 | 300 | 15 g | $3.89 |
| Double Cheeseburger | 2 | 2 | 440 | 25 g | $6.19 |
| McDouble for comparison | 2 | 1 | 390 | 22 g | $4.59 |
All of them use McDonald’s regular 1.6-ounce patty, the same one in the McDouble and Big Mac. The McDouble is the Double Cheeseburger with one slice of cheese instead of two, which makes it 50 calories lighter and usually cheaper. See the full McDouble vs Double Cheeseburger comparison.
Cheeseburger Calories and Nutrition Facts
A McDonald’s Cheeseburger has 300 calories, 13 g of fat (6 g saturated), 31 g of carbs, 15 g of protein and 720 mg of sodium. The Hamburger has 250 calories and the Double Cheeseburger 440.
| Burger | Calories | Fat | Sat. fat | Trans fat | Carbs | Sugars | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburger | 250 | 9 g | 3.5 g | 0 g | 30 g | 5 g | 12 g | 510 mg |
| Cheeseburger | 300 | 13 g | 6 g | 0.5 g | 31 g | 6 g | 15 g | 720 mg |
| Double Cheeseburger | 440 | 24 g | 11 g | 1.5 g | 34 g | 6 g | 25 g | 1,120 mg |
Sodium per burger
The daily limit is 2,300 mg. A Double Cheeseburger alone uses about half of it.
What the cheese adds
- +50 calories and +4 g fat per slice
- +210 mg sodium (Hamburger 510 mg vs Cheeseburger 720 mg)
- +2.5 g saturated fat and 0.5 g trans fat from the dairy
- +3 g protein and some calcium
McDonald’s USA nutrition data. The small amount of trans fat occurs naturally in beef and cheese.
What’s in a McDonald’s Cheeseburger?
A McDonald’s Cheeseburger has seven ingredients: a regular bun, a 100% beef patty, a slice of American cheese, pickle slices, chopped onions, ketchup and mustard. The beef has no fillers or additives, only salt and pepper added on the grill.
| Component | What it is | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| Regular bun | Enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, yeast, soybean oil | All three |
| 100% beef patty | Beef, seasoned with salt and pepper on the grill | 1 or 2 |
| American cheese | Pasteurized process cheese with milk, cream, salt and color | Cheeseburger, Double |
| Pickle slices | Cucumbers, vinegar, salt; contains an artificial preservative | All three |
| Onions | Rehydrated chopped onions | All three |
| Ketchup and mustard | Tomato concentrate, vinegar, sugar; mustard seed, turmeric | All three |
Since 2018, McDonald’s classic burgers have had no artificial preservatives, flavors or added colors from artificial sources, except for the pickle, which still uses one. Skip the pickle if you want to avoid it. Regular patties are frozen and cooked to order; only the Quarter Pounder uses fresh beef.
Cheeseburger Allergens
The Cheeseburger and Double Cheeseburger contain wheat, milk and soy, with milk and soy coming from the American cheese. The plain Hamburger lists only wheat, so it’s the pick for a dairy-free order.
| Burger | Contains (McDonald’s USA) |
|---|---|
| Hamburger | Wheat |
| Cheeseburger | Wheat, Milk, Soy |
| Double Cheeseburger | Wheat, Milk, Soy |
Burgers are cooked on shared grills, so cross-contact is possible. Ask your restaurant if you have a severe allergy.
McDonald’s Cheeseburger Meal
The Cheeseburger Meal comes with two Cheeseburgers, medium World Famous Fries and a medium drink. McDonald’s lists it at 1,130 calories with a medium Coca-Cola, and it typically costs $11.99.
| Part | Calories |
|---|---|
| 2 Cheeseburgers | 600 |
| Medium World Famous Fries | 320 |
| Medium Coca-Cola (with ice) | 210 |
| Total | 1,130 |
For less money, the $6 McDouble Meal Deal gives you a McDouble, 4 McNuggets, small fries and a small drink. See every option on our McDonald’s value menu page.
Which Classic Burger Is the Best Value?
At typical prices the McDouble gives the most protein per dollar, followed by the Double Cheeseburger. The plain Hamburger is the weakest value: it often costs nearly as much as a Cheeseburger with less food.
If you want two patties, the McDouble is usually the smarter order: same beef, one fewer cheese slice, and at restaurants on the Under $3 menu it costs less than half the typical price of a Double Cheeseburger.
How to Customize a McDonald’s Cheeseburger
Every classic burger can be changed in the app, at the kiosk or at the counter. These are the most requested changes.
| Request | What you get |
|---|---|
| No pickle | Removes the only artificial preservative |
| Extra onions or extra pickles | Usually free; more crunch and tang |
| Add lettuce and Big Mac sauce | A small extra charge; tastes close to a Big Mac |
| Add a slice of cheese to a Hamburger | Turns it into a Cheeseburger, sometimes for less |
| Plain (meat and bun only) | For picky eaters; made fresh to order |
Custom orders are made fresh, so they are also a reliable way to get a hot burger. For the original, see our Big Mac price and nutrition guide.
A Short History of the McDonald’s Cheeseburger
The hamburger is McDonald’s original menu item, and the cheeseburger followed soon after. The recipe has barely changed; the patties, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard are still the same build.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1948 | The McDonald brothers reopen their San Bernardino restaurant with a short menu built around a 15-cent hamburger. |
| Early years | The cheeseburger joins the menu at 19 cents. |
| 2018 | The Cheeseburger leaves the Happy Meal menu board, and the classic burgers drop artificial preservatives, flavors and colors (except the pickle). |
| 2024–2026 | The Cheeseburger and Hamburger stay on the regular menu, while the McDouble takes the value spot on the McValue Under $3 menu. |
Cheeseburger FAQ
Can kids get a Cheeseburger Happy Meal?
It's not on the menu board, but most restaurants will swap the hamburger for a cheeseburger on request, sometimes for a small extra charge. See our Happy Meal price guide.
Is there a Triple Cheeseburger at McDonald's?
Not on the national US menu. A few restaurants sell one as a regional item; most will build it if you add a patty to a Double Cheeseburger.
How big is a McDonald's cheeseburger patty?
A regular patty is a tenth of a pound of beef (1.6 oz) before cooking, much smaller than the quarter-pound patty in a Quarter Pounder.
Is the McDonald's Cheeseburger available all day?
It's on the lunch and dinner menu. Most restaurants start serving it when breakfast ends, at 10:30 or 11 a.m.
Why is the Double Cheeseburger more expensive than the McDouble?
It has an extra slice of cheese and isn't on the value menu, so restaurants price it as a regular item.
How We Checked This Page
- Nutrition, ingredients and allergens: McDonald’s USA product data for the Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger, McDouble and Cheeseburger Meal
- History: published histories of McDonald’s early menu and McDonald’s 2018 burger announcements
- Prices: typical US prices reported online in October 2026; your restaurant sets its own price
Menu Facts USA is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by McDonald’s Corporation. McDouble, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Happy Meal and related names are trademarks of McDonald’s. If you have a food allergy, confirm ingredients with your restaurant before ordering.