Chicken McNuggets Prices & Calories: 4, 6, 10, 20 & 40 Piece (2026)
McDonald’s sells Chicken McNuggets in five sizes, from a 4-piece snack to a 40-piece box for sharing. This guide compares every size on price, price per nugget, calories and protein, then covers the meals, the dipping sauces, the limited-time Spicy McNuggets and what the nuggets are made of.
McNuggets Price by Size: 4 to 40 Piece
The McNuggets price starts at about $3 for a 4-piece; a 6-piece costs $4.39, a 10-piece $5.49–$5.79, a 20-piece $7.00 and a 40-piece $13.19. Prices are set by each restaurant, so yours may be higher or lower.
*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.
Which McNuggets Size Is the Best Value?
The 20-piece and 40-piece boxes are the best deals, at about 33 to 35 cents per nugget, roughly half the McNuggets price per piece of a 4-piece or 6-piece. A single 20-piece usually costs less than two 10-pieces.
McNuggets price per nugget
Middle of each typical price range
| Size | Typical price | Per nugget | Per g protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 piece | $2.99–$3.19 | $0.77 | $0.34 |
| 6 piece | $4.39 | $0.73 | $0.31 |
| 10 piece | $5.49–$5.79 | $0.56 | $0.25 |
| 20 piece | $7.00 | $0.35 | $0.15 |
| 40 piece | $13.19 | $0.33 | $0.14 |
McNuggets Calories and Nutrition by Size
Each Chicken McNugget has about 41 calories and 2.3 g of protein. A 6-piece has 250 calories, a 10-piece 410 and a 20-piece 830, according to McDonald’s USA nutrition data. Sodium climbs fastest: a 20-piece carries 1,700 mg, about 74% of the Daily Value.
| Size | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 piece | 170 | 9 g | 10 g | 10 g | 340 mg |
| 6 piece | 250 | 14 g | 15 g | 15 g | 500 mg |
| 10 piece | 410 | 23 g | 24 g | 26 g | 850 mg |
| 20 piece | 830 | 46 g | 49 g | 51 g | 1,700 mg |
| 40 piece | 1,650 | 92 g | 98 g | 102 g | 3,400 mg |
Nutrition excludes dipping sauce, which adds 30 to 110 calories per cup (see the sauce table below). McNuggets have no sugar or added sugar, and 0 g of trans fat..
McNuggets Meals and Happy Meals
The 10-piece Chicken McNuggets Meal adds medium World Famous Fries and a medium drink and typically costs $10.09 to $11.09. Kids can get 4 or 6 McNuggets in a Happy Meal with kids fries, apple slices, a drink and a toy.
| Order | What’s included | Calories | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 pc McNuggets Meal | 10 McNuggets, medium fries, medium drink | 1,000 | $10.09–$11.09 |
| 10 pc Meal with a zero-calorie drink | Same meal with Diet Coke or water | 730 | $10.09–$11.09 |
| 4 pc McNuggets Happy Meal | 4 McNuggets, kids fries, apple slices, kids drink, toy | Varies by drink | $6.93 |
| 6 pc McNuggets Happy Meal | 6 McNuggets, kids fries, apple slices, kids drink, toy | Varies by drink | $7.19 |
Meal calories add McDonald’s current item data (410 + 320 for medium fries + 270 for a medium Coca-Cola without ice). McDonald’s own meal description quotes an older 950-calorie total. Happy Meal drinks include 1% low-fat milk, reduced-sugar chocolate milk, DASANI water or Honest Kids apple juice; the toy is currently the SpongeBob × One Piece collection.
Many restaurants also sell sharing bundles in the app, such as a 40-piece box with two large fries. Bundle names and prices change by restaurant.
McNuggets Dipping Sauces: Calories and Allergens
McDonald’s US menu has six dipping sauces plus Honey, from 30-calorie Spicy Buffalo to 110-calorie Creamy Ranch and Creamy Chili Dip. Sweet ‘N Sour and Tangy Barbeque are the classic McNugget pairings.
| Sauce | Calories | Sodium | Contains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spicy Buffalo Sauce | 30 | 520 mg | Milk |
| Tangy Barbeque Sauce | 45 | 260 mg | Wheat, Soy |
| Honey | 50 | 0 mg | None of the 9 major |
| Sweet 'N Sour Sauce | 50 | 160 mg | Wheat, Soy |
| Honey Mustard Sauce | 60 | 125 mg | Egg |
| Creamy Ranch Sauce | 110 | 160 mg | Milk |
| Creamy Chili McCrispy Strip Dip | 110 | 250 mg | Egg, Wheat, Soy, Sesame |
Per dip cup, McDonald’s USA data. Restaurants usually include sauces with McNuggets and may charge for extras. Mighty Hot Sauce returns alongside Spicy McNuggets for a limited time.
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (Limited Time)
Spicy Chicken McNuggets returned to US McDonald’s on September 1, 2026, for a limited time, with no end date announced. They use a tempura coating seasoned with aged cayenne and chili peppers, and come back alongside Mighty Hot Sauce, made with crushed red pepper, chilis and garlic.
| Size | Regular calories | Spicy calories | Difference | Spicy sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 piece | 250 | 290 | +40 | 630 mg |
| 10 piece | 410 | 490 | +80 | 1,040 mg |
| 20 piece | 830 | 980 | +150 | 2,090 mg |
| 40 piece | 1,650 | 1,950 | +300 | 4,180 mg |
The spicy coating adds about 7 to 8 calories per nugget and noticeably more sodium. Spicy McNuggets first appeared in September 2020 and returned in 2021 and 2023 before this year’s comeback.
What Are McNuggets Made Of?
McDonald’s says Chicken McNuggets are made with 100% white meat chicken and have no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The chicken is formed, coated in a tempura-style batter of wheat and corn flours and fried in a vegetable oil blend.
| Part | What McDonald’s uses |
|---|---|
| Chicken | White boneless chicken and water |
| Coating | Enriched and bleached wheat flour, yellow corn flour, vegetable starches, salt, leavening, spices, yeast extract, lemon juice solids, dextrose and natural flavors |
| Frying oil | Vegetable oil blend of canola, corn and soybean oil, including hydrogenated soybean oil |
| Additives | No artificial preservatives since August 2016 |
The four McNugget shapes
Every McNugget is stamped into one of four shapes: the bell, the ball, the boot and the bow tie (also called the bone). Matching shapes help each batch cook evenly in the same frying time, and the curves make them easier to dip. McDonald’s once joked on its website that “5 would’ve been, like, wacky.”
McNuggets Allergens and Dietary Notes
Chicken McNuggets list wheat as their only major allergen. McDonald’s does not list milk or egg in the nuggets, but they are not gluten-free, not vegetarian, and are fried in shared equipment where cross-contact is possible.
Dairy and egg
Neither is listed for plain McNuggets, but Creamy Ranch, Spicy Buffalo and Honey Mustard add milk or egg. Check the sauce table before you dip.
Gluten
The batter is made with wheat flour, so McNuggets are not suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Peanuts and soy
McNuggets aren’t cooked in peanut oil. Soybean oil is part of the frying blend, but soy is not listed as an allergen for the nuggets.
McNuggets vs McCrispy Strips: Which Should You Get?
McCrispy Strips are whole boneless, skinless chicken breast strips, while McNuggets are formed, bite-size pieces with a lighter tempura coating. For about the same calories, three McCrispy Strips give you 31 g of protein against 23 g in a 10-piece McNuggets.
| Order | Calories | Protein | Protein per 100 cal | Sodium | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 pc Chicken McNuggets | 410 | 23 g | 5.6 g | 850 mg | $5.49–$5.79 |
| 3 pc McCrispy Strips | 400 | 31 g | 7.8 g | 1,320 mg | $5.49–$6.99 |
| 4 pc McCrispy Strips | 530 | 41 g | 7.7 g | 1,760 mg | — |
Choose McNuggets for sharing, dipping and kids, and for the lowest McNuggets price per piece in the big boxes. Choose McCrispy Strips when protein matters more than price.
A Short History of Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets were McDonald’s answer to growing demand for chicken in the late 1970s. They took two years to go nationwide because suppliers first had to build enough capacity.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1979 | McDonald’s first executive chef, René Arend, develops the recipe; Keystone Foods founder Herb Lotman conceived the product. |
| 1981 | McNuggets go on sale in select US markets. |
| 1983 | Supply catches up with demand and McNuggets roll out nationwide. |
| 2016 | McDonald’s announces McNuggets no longer contain artificial preservatives. |
| 2020 | Spicy Chicken McNuggets debut in September. |
| 2026 | Spicy McNuggets return on September 1. |
Tips for Ordering McNuggets
A little planning gets you more nuggets for your money and fresher food.
- Size up when sharing. Two people splitting a 20-piece get a far better McNuggets price per piece than ordering two 10-pieces.
- Pick sauces in the app. Mobile Order & Pay lets you choose sauces and see any extra-sauce charge before you pay.
- Check the Deals tab. McNuggets deals rotate in the McDonald’s app and MyMcDonald’s Rewards.
- Play MONOPOLY. The 10-piece McNuggets is an eligible item in McDonald’s MONOPOLY, which runs until November 1, 2026.
- Watch the sodium. Choose Honey or Sweet ‘N Sour over Spicy Buffalo, which adds 520 mg of sodium per cup.
McNuggets FAQ
Can you get McNuggets during breakfast?
Usually not. Most US McDonald's serve only breakfast until 10:30 or 11 a.m., then switch to the lunch menu that includes McNuggets. See our McDonald's breakfast menu for morning options.
Does McDonald's sell a 50-piece McNuggets?
Not on the regular US menu. The 40-piece is the largest standard size; a 50-piece box has only appeared as an occasional promotion.
How many McNuggets come in a Happy Meal?
Four or six. You choose the 4-piece or 6-piece McNuggets Happy Meal when you order.
What's the best way to reheat McNuggets?
An air fryer or oven at about 350°F for a few minutes keeps the coating crisp. A microwave works but makes them soft. Eat leftovers within a day or two and refrigerate them promptly.
Do McNuggets come with dipping sauce?
Yes, most restaurants include sauce with McNuggets, and larger boxes usually come with more cups. Extra sauces may cost a small fee.
How We Checked This Page
- Nutrition, ingredients and allergens: McDonald’s USA product data for every McNuggets size, the 10-piece meal, Happy Meals and sauces.
- Spicy McNuggets: McDonald’s US New Menu Item Spotter and launch coverage from September 2026.
- History and shapes: published histories of the McNugget and McDonald’s own statements.
- 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. Chicken McNuggets, McCrispy and related names are trademarks of McDonald’s. If you have a food allergy, confirm ingredients with your restaurant before ordering.